Myanmar's population declines for the first time in a decade
- Myanmar's military government announced a population of 51.3 million, down from 51.5 million reported a decade ago.
- The census faced significant operational challenges, including conflict and limitations on data collection across numerous townships.
- The reliability of the census results is disputed, and upcoming elections are widely criticized as lacking democratic legitimacy.
In Myanmar, the military government announced provisional census results, revealing a population count of 51.3 million. This figure indicates a slight decrease from the previous census conducted ten years prior, which reported about 51.5 million residents. The recent census, held in October 2024, faced significant obstacles, including armed conflict and limited access in certain regions, which hindered accurate data collection across all townships. Consequently, the results reflect serious issues concerning the military's control and governance over the country. The population figure comprises approximately 32.2 million individuals counted during the census along with an estimation of 19.1 million from inaccessible areas. Limitations encountered included security threats, ongoing civil strife, and an estimated 3 million displaced people, making comprehensive counting extremely challenging. Notably, the Muslim Rohingya minority, who have faced systemic exclusion and violence, were not included in the census. This oversight has raised questions about the overall reliability of the results and the implications for governance and rights within the country. The military has stated that these census figures will be instrumental in compiling voter lists for the upcoming elections planned for 2025. However, opposition groups have condemned these elections, deeming them a sham due to the absence of credible democratic processes. The junta's head, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has expressed aspirations for a