Myanmar (was Burma) (Union of Myanmar)

Myanmar (Burma) Union of Myanmar
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	166th best
Capital	Naypyidaw
Land Area	653 290km21
Location	Asia
Population	53.7m2
Life Expectancy	65.67yrs (2017)3
GNI	$3 851 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	MM, MMR, 1045
Internet Domain	.mm6
Currency	Kyat (MMK)7
Telephone	+958

1. Overview
2. Myanmar (Burma) National and Social Development
3. Myanmar (Burma)'s Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Myanmar (Burma)'s Health
6. Myanmar (Burma)'s Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Myanmar (Burma)'s Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

“Various ethnic Burmese and ethnic minority city-states or kingdoms occupied the present borders through the 19th century. Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; in 1948, Burma attained independence from the Commonwealth. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In response to widespread civil unrest, NE WIN resigned in 1988, but within months the military crushed student-led protests and took power. Multiparty legislative elections in 1990 resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory. Instead of handing over power, the junta placed NLD leader (and Nobel Peace Prize recipient) AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, 2000 to 2002, and from May 2003 to November 2010. In late September 2007, the ruling junta brutally suppressed protests over increased fuel prices led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks, killing at least 13 people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations. In early May 2008, Burma was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which left over 138,000 dead and tens of thousands injured and homeless. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990. Parliamentary elections held in November 2010, considered flawed by many in the international community, saw the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party garner over 75% of the seats. Parliament convened in January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as president. Although the vast majority of national-level appointees named by THEIN SEIN are former or current military officers, the government has initiated a series of political and economic reforms leading to a substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These reforms have included allowing ASSK to contest parliamentary by-elections on 1 April 2012, releasing hundreds of political prisoners, reaching preliminary peace agreements with 10 of the 11 major armed ethnic groups, enacting laws that provide better protections for basic human rights, and gradually reducing restrictions on freedom of the press, association, and civil society. At least due in part to these reforms, ASSK now serves as an elected Member of Parliament and chair of the Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility. Most political parties have begun building their institutions in preparation for the next round of general elections in 2015. The country is preparing to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Now is the moment to visit this extraordinary land, scattered with gilded pagodas, where the traditional ways of Asia endure and areas that were previously off-limits are opening up. Turn back the clock in this time-warped country that´s a world apart from the rest of Southeast Asia. Travelling in Myanmar is a chance to swap the hubbub and electronic demands of modern life for the calm of gilded temples and ancient monasteries.Enjoy slowly unfolding journeys through serene landscapes including meandering rivers, lush jungles, ethnic minority villages and pristine palm-fringed beaches.

Democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is free from house arrest and the tourism boycott has been lifted.

Myanmar remains a troubled land and it´s up to you to decide whether to visit or not. Keep in mind that the long-suffering people are gentle, humorous, engaging, considerate, inquisitive and passionate; they want to play a part in the world and to know what you make of their world. Come with your mind open and you´ll leave with your heart full.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Myanmar (Burma) National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
146=	Zimbabwe	0.593
146=	Cambodia	0.593
148	Angola	0.586
149	Myanmar (Burma)	0.585
150	Syria	0.577
151	Cameroon	0.576
152	Kenya	0.575
153	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.571
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
152	Sao Tome & Principe	$4 021
153	Papua New Guinea	$4 009
154	Nepal	$3 877
155	Myanmar (Burma)	$3 851
156	Zimbabwe	$3 810
157	Micronesia	$3 696
158	Cameroon	$3 621
159	Sudan	$3 575
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
163	Togo	120.2
164	Mali	120.3
165	Ethiopia	120.6
166	Myanmar (Burma)	121.5
167	Cameroon	122.3
168	Papua New Guinea	122.5
169	Djibouti	122.6
170	Swaziland	122.8
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Myanmar (Burma)'s Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Myanmar (Burma)'s population is predicted to rise to 54.33 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 2.13. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
23	Italy	60.6m
24	S. Africa	57.8m
25	Tanzania	56.3m
26	Myanmar (Burma)	53.7m
27	Kenya	51.4m
28	S. Korea	51.2m
29	Colombia	49.7m
30	Spain	46.7m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
144	Palau	66.0
145	Gabon	65.8
146	Guyana	65.7
147	Myanmar (Burma)	65.7
148	Papua New Guinea	65.4
149	Marshall Islands	65.3
150	Sudan	65.3
151	Ethiopia	65.0
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
16	Turkey	1.88
17	Cape Verde	1.88
18	Argentina	1.88
19	Myanmar (Burma)	2.13
20	Indonesia	2.15
21	Greenland	1.84
22	Gibraltar	1.84
23	Peru	2.16
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
84	Tonga	11.9
85	Kyrgyzstan	12.1
86	Indonesia	12.4
87=	Myanmar (Burma)	12.5
87=	India	12.5
89	Bolivia	12.7
90	Nicaragua	13.1
91	Paraguay	13.2
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
187	Philippines	0.2%
188	N. Korea	0.2%
189	Sri Lanka	0.2%
190	Myanmar (Burma)	0.1%
191	Madagascar	0.1%
192	Indonesia	0.1%
193	Cuba	0.1%
194	Vietnam	0.1%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
172	Mongolia	1.2%
173	Kenya	1.1%
174	Indonesia	1.1%
175	Myanmar (Burma)	1.0%
176	Solomon Islands	1.0%
177	India	0.9%
178	Papua New Guinea	0.9%
179	USA	0.8%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Buddhist_extremism #china #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #islam #morals #myanmar #myanmar_(burma) #myanmar_(burma)_women #politics #prejudice #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
175	Burundi	130.4
176	Congo, DR	130.9
177	Tuvalu	132.2
178	Myanmar (Burma)	133.8
179	Zimbabwe	134.5
180	Chad	134.6
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

Myanmar (Burma) is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Myanmar (Burma) does worse than average in opposing gender inequality₁₉, LGBT equality₂₀, freethought₂₁ and in supporting press freedom₂₂. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₃, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₄, eliminating modern slavery₂₅, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₆ (amongst the worst in Asia), its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ (amongst the lowest in Asia) and in its average Freedom in the World rating (one of the highest in Asia). After attacks on security force outposts by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants, in 2017, the Burmese military "launched a large-scale ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya Muslim population" and engaged in widespread crimes against humanity₂₈. Human rights are poorly defended because of Burma's "weak rule of law, corrupt judiciary, Buddhist extremism₂₉, and unwillingness to prosecute members of the security forces"₂₈. Since a military coup in 2021, civil life has deteriorated even further₂₉. Despite all this, China continued to strengthen economic ties to Burma and has actively shielded its government from international action₂₈.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Myanmar (Burma)

5. Myanmar (Burma)'s Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #myanmar_(burma) #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Maldives	41.7
2	Sri Lanka	43.1
3	Malaysia	53.1
	...
16	India	66.9
17	Bahrain	68.1
18	S. Korea	69.8
19	Myanmar (Burma)	73.1
20	China	73.5
21=	Thailand	76.3
22	Iran	76.4
23	Turkey	78.0
24	Uzbekistan	78.4
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
22	Bahrain	68.1
23	S. Korea	69.8
24	Finland	73.1
25	Myanmar (Burma)	73.1
26	China	73.5
27	Tunisia	74.4
28	Mauritius	74.6
29	Antigua & Barbuda	74.9
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₁.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Myanmar (Burma) does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Myanmar (Burma) comes in the best 20 for its fertility rate₁₄. It does better than average in its smoking rate₃₂, its adolescent birth rate₁₉ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₃ (but high for Asia). Myanmar (Burma) doesn't do so well in other areas. Myanmar (Burma) does worse than average in terms of its average life expectancy₁₁ (one of the lowest in Asia) and in its immunizations take-up₃₄. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Myanmar improved by +9.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, better than the global average of +7.9yrs. Myanmar's peak fertility rate was 5.99 in 1962.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
144	Palau	66.0
145	Gabon	65.8
146	Guyana	65.7
147	Myanmar (Burma)	65.7
148	Papua New Guinea	65.4
149	Marshall Islands	65.3
150	Sudan	65.3
151	Ethiopia	65.0
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better33
Pos.		2016 Per Capita33
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
74=	Bolivia	4.8
74=	Costa Rica	4.8
74=	Guinea-Bissau	4.8
74=	Myanmar (Burma)	4.8
74=	Zambia	4.8
74=	Zimbabwe	4.8
80	Lesotho	5.0
81	Suriname	5.1
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
16	Turkey	1.88
17	Cape Verde	1.88
18	Argentina	1.88
19	Myanmar (Burma)	2.13
20	Indonesia	2.15
21	Greenland	1.84
22	Gibraltar	1.84
23	Peru	2.16
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better32
Pos.		201432
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
41	Cameroon	184
42	Guatemala	190
43	Ecuador	191
44	Myanmar (Burma)	206
45	Madagascar	206
46	Burkina Faso	213
47	Maldives	215
48	Panama	224
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Overweight Adults Lower is better35
Pos.		2016 %35
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
15	Sri Lanka	23.3
16	Malawi	23.4
17	Madagascar	23.9
18	Myanmar (Burma)	24.8
19	Rwanda	25.1
20	Congo, DR	25.3
21	Laos	25.4
22	Kenya	25.5
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better19
Pos.		2015 Per 100019
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
51	Tonga	15.2
52	Mongolia	15.7
53	Turkmenistan	16.4
54	Myanmar (Burma)	16.5
55	Malta	16.6
56	Kiribati	17.2
57	Macedonia	17.6
58	Uzbekistan	17.7
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
152	Marshall Islands	81.8
153	Mozambique	81.4
154	Venezuela	80.6
155	Myanmar (Burma)	80.3
156=	Benin	80.1
156=	Guinea-Bissau	80.1
158	Tonga	80.0
159	Mauritania	79.9
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Myanmar (Burma)'s Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #myanmar_(burma) #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
29	Turkey	92.2
30	Pakistan	92.4
31	Bhutan	92.7
32	Myanmar (Burma)	93.3
33	Kazakhstan	95.4
34	Azerbaijan	99.3
35	Russia	99.4
36	Kyrgyzstan	103.8
37	Qatar	104.0
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
121	Bhutan	92.7
122	Bahamas	93.0
123	Angola	93.2
124	Myanmar (Burma)	93.3
125	Kazakhstan	95.4
126	Estonia	95.8
127	Togo	96.0
128	Rwanda	96.3
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Myanmar (Burma) is positioned 124th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 4 data sets. Myanmar (Burma) does better than average when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person₃₇. But unfortunately Myanmar (Burma) gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average when it comes to how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in its environmental performance₃₈. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its forested percent change 2000-2020₃₉.

Environmental Performance Higher is better38
Pos.		201838
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
135	Mozambique	46.4
136	Uzbekistan	45.9
137	Chad	45.3
138	Myanmar (Burma)	45.3
139	Ivory Coast	45.3
140	Gabon	45.1
141	Ethiopia	44.8
142	S. Africa	44.7
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
99	Vietnam	1995 Feb 14
100	Switzerland	1995 Feb 19
101	Argentina	1995 Feb 20
102	Myanmar (Burma)	1995 Feb 23
103	Colombia	1995 Feb 26
104	Ivory Coast	1995 Feb 27
105	Congo, DR	1995 Mar 03
106	Equatorial Guinea	1995 Mar 06
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Meat Consumption Lower is better37
Pos.		2021 kg37
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
38	Pakistan	18.6
39	Senegal	19.3
40	Sudan	19.9
41=	Myanmar (Burma)	20.0
41=	Angola	20.0
43	S. Sudan	20.2
44	Liberia	20.3
45	Ghana	20.9
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Myanmar reduced its consumption of meat significantly during the 2010s, helping the world reduce the inefficient use of land and water for meat production.₃₇

7. Myanmar (Burma)'s Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #politics #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.0
3	S. Korea	23.6
	...
43	Bhutan	112.3
44	Laos	113.4
45	Iraq	121.8
46	Syria	123.5
47	Myanmar (Burma)	127.0
48	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	129.0
49	Yemen	132.2
50	Afghanistan	136.7
51	Cambodia	138.7
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
171	Togo	124.4
172	San Marino	125.0
173	Djibouti	125.8
174	Myanmar (Burma)	127.0
175	Honduras	128.0
176	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	129.0
177	Tanzania	129.5
178	Liberia	130.8
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2941
2	Israel	4.1141
3	Japan	3.5841
	...
106=	Burundi	0.1242
107	Madagascar	0.1142
108=	Philippines	0.1143
108=	Myanmar (Burma)	0.1144
110	Peru	0.1045
111	Paraguay	0.0946
112=	Congo, DR	0.0847
112=	Indonesia	0.0848
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better49
Pos.		201849
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
148	Sierra Leone	26.3%
149	Ivory Coast	26.1%
150	Afghanistan	26.1%
151	Myanmar (Burma)	25.8%
152	Central African Rep.	22.1%
153	Malawi	21.8%
154	Cambodia	21.3%
155	Mozambique	19.3%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better50
Pos.		2021 Years50
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
148	Lebanon	11.3
149	Rwanda	11.2
150	Zambia	10.9
151	Myanmar (Burma)	10.9
152	N. Korea	10.8
153	Benin	10.8
154	Burundi	10.7
155	Kenya	10.7
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better51
Pos.		201651
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
191	Congo, DR	4%
192	Guinea-Bissau	4%
193	Chad	3%
194	Myanmar (Burma)	3%
195	Sierra Leone	2%
196	Niger	2%
197	Guinea	2%
198	Somalia	2%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better52
Pos.		201252
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
39=	Saudi Arabia	71
40	Vietnam	73
41=	Ethiopia	75
41=	Myanmar (Burma)	75
43	Uzbekistan	77
44	Syria	83
45	China	85
46	Cuba	86
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better53
Pos.		2017 Ratio53
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
129=	Guyana	0.0
129=	Namibia	0.0
129=	Tonga	0.0
129=	Myanmar (Burma)	0.0
129=	Morocco	0.0
129=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	0.0
129=	Honduras	0.0
129=	Syria	0.0
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#Asia #buddhism #charitability #charity #corruption #happiness #indonesia #morals #Myanmar #myanmar_(burma) #politics #Thailand #Theravada_Buddhism

The region of south-east Asia hosts some of the kindest people in the world. Myanmar and Thailand often top the World Giving Index₅₄, which the Charities Aid Foundation attributes to the teachings and values of Theravada Buddhism₅₄. Likewise, in Indonesia, giving is strongly encouraged by the Islamic doctrine of zakat, causing that country to give to charity at three times the global average rate. There are cultural problems, however: Myanmar has a consistently awful long-term record on corruption, with only a few signs of improvement.

World Giving Index Higher is better55
Pos.		2022 %55
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
4	Australia	55.0
5	New Zealand	54.0
6	Myanmar (Burma)	52.0
7=	Sierra Leone	51.0
7=	Canada	51.0
9	Zambia	50.0
10=	Ukraine	49.0
10=	Ireland	49.0
12	Czechia	48.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better56
Pos.		2022 Points56
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
155	Afghanistan	24.0
156=	Tajikistan	24.0
157	Zimbabwe	23.0
158=	Myanmar (Burma)	23.0
158=	Azerbaijan	23.0
158=	Honduras	23.0
158=	Iraq	23.0
162	Sudan	22.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

In 2006, Myanmar fell to the 2nd-worst spot in terms of perceived corruption; this relative decline was mostly because other countries were improving themselves quicker than Myanmar. But from 2007 things genuinely declined and it lost the small improvements it had made, becoming perceived as the most corrupt country in the world. Thoughout the 2010s, it then made serious improvements - (jointly) more than any other country.

Happiness Higher is better57
Pos.		2018 Score57
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
127	Ethiopia	4.4
128	Georgia	4.3
129	Armenia	4.3
130	Myanmar (Burma)	4.3
131	Chad	4.3
132	Congo, DR	4.2
133	India	4.2
134	Niger	4.2
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better58
Pos.		2023 Score58
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
142	Chad	2.70
143	Israel	2.71
144	Nigeria	2.71
145	Myanmar (Burma)	2.74
146	Pakistan	2.75
147=	Iran	2.80
147=	Turkey	2.80
149	N. Korea	2.85
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better59
Pos.		2019 Score59
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
122	Ethiopia	5.35
123	UK	5.41
124	Burkina Faso	5.42
125	Myanmar (Burma)	5.51
126	Mozambique	5.54
127	Ukraine	5.55
128	Niger	5.60
129	USA	5.69
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better60
Pos.		201960
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
138	Bolivia	22.50
139	Laos	22.60
140=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	22.80
140=	Myanmar (Burma)	22.80
140=	Gabon	22.80
143	Turkmenistan	23.40
144=	Djibouti	23.40
145	Papua New Guinea	24.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better61
Pos.		2023 %61
1	Slovakia	24.1%62
2	Slovenia	24.3%62
3	Belarus	24.4%63
	...
33	Sweden	29.8%62
34	Nepal	30.0%64
35	Ireland	30.1%62
36=	Myanmar (Burma)	30.7%65
36=	Fiji	30.7%66
36=	Austria	30.7%62
39	Uzbekistan	31.2%64
40	Cyprus	31.3%62
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Myanmar - only for 2 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better67
Pos.		2018 Severity67
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
60	Namibia	.171
61	Vanuatu	.174
62	Bhutan	.175
63	Myanmar (Burma)	.176
64	Kenya	.178
65	Comoros	.181
66	Bangladesh	.198
67	Pakistan	.198
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism #myanmar #myanmar_(burma) #religion_in_myanmar #Therevada_Buddhism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₈:

Christian	7.8%
Muslim	4%
Hindu	1.7%
Buddhist	80.1%
Folk Religion	5.8%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.5%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%₆₉.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: In this 88% Buddhist country, minorities such as Hindus, Christians and Muslims face "threats and persecution", and their religious activities are "tightly regulated", even in their own homes₂₈. Article 361 of the Constitution specifically names Buddhism as the favoured religion, with Therevada Buddhism in particular being supported by Government. Sociologists Grim & Finke still place Myanmar into the worst possible category when it comes to religious freedom and persecution: Severe restrictions on religious freedom and freedom of belief stem simultaneously from top-down pressure from government and institutionalized religion, and from bottom-up grassroots movements that often go even further than the government in harassing those who do not believe the right things (2011)₇₀.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Human Rights and Freedom in Myanmar (Burma): 4.2. Freedom of Thought