Based on the 1983 Census results, the government projected that the country’s population would be 60 million people in 2010 with annual population growth rate of 2 per cent yearly. The census results showed a significantly lower figure of 51.4 million which may be attributed to families being smaller today than they were 30 years ago, as well as people migrating to other countries. All these will only be possible to state clearly once the main census results are released in May 2015. 

“The census is a valuable national resource and for the first time in over thirty years, Myanmar will have the concrete data it needs in order to put roads, schools, health facilities and other essential infrastructure where people need them most,” said Ms Janet Jackson, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar at the press conference. 

Ms Jackson stressed the preliminary data showed that Myanmar’s cities are becoming denser, and also expanding quickly with many living along the edges of cities that have grown without any planning whatsoever. “The main census results which are going to be announced in May 2015 will provide a more complete picture of how and where people in Myanmar are living. With this information, Myanmar has one of the essential bases to create a better future for its people,” said Ms Jackson. 

The results released at the press conference also indicated that there are approximately 26,598,244 females and 24,821,176 males in the country, and a sex ratio of 93.3% or that there are 1.7 million more females. 

The census was able to reach almost 98% of the population with an estimated 1,206,355 persons who were not counted in three areas. These areas include parts of Rakhine, Kachin and Kayin States. The Myanmar census took place from 30 March to 10 April 2014. 

The press conference was attended by over 300 people from Government, civil society organizations, development partners, national and international media and community leaders.