| |
Myanmar |
New Zealand |
| Capital |
Yangon |
Wellington |
| Population |
48 million |
4.3 million |
| Official languages |
Burmese |
English; Maori; NZ Sign |
GNI per capita
NZ$1= US$0.71 (2010) |
US$1950
NZ$2746 |
US$29,050
NZ$40,915 |
| Life expectancy |
65 years |
81 years |
| Under 5 mortality rate |
66/1000 |
6/1000 |
| Adult literacy rate |
92% |
99% |
| Source: Unicef,
2010 |
People
Most people live in the lowland regions of the Ayeyarwady
(Irrawady) River valley, a large rice-growing region. Of the many
different ethnic groups, Burman is the largest, but Karen, Rakhene,
Chinese, Indian and Mon also have significant populations. Burmese
is the major and official language, however there are more than 100
languages spoken in the country. Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist,
although there is widespread belief in "Nats", which are spirits of
forests, mountains and trees. Christian churches exist in most
parts of the country, but are sometimes restricted in their ability
to carry out social activities. Traditionally, women and children
in Myanmar paste thanaka on their faces. Made from the bark of the
sandalwood tree, the paste is used as a sunscreen.
Geography
Mountains surround Myanmar's central basin region to the north,
west and east and rise along the Thai border. Forests cover more
than half the country's land area. There are three seasons: a cool,
dry winter from November to February; summer from March to May; and
the monsoon season from June to October.
Economy
Approximately two thirds of the population is employed in
agriculture, with less than 10 per cent in manufacturing. Myanmar
exports manufactured clothing, hardwoods and wood products, fish,
processed fish products and crops such as rice, beans and pulses.
The country was once known as the rice bowl of Asia, but expansion
of the agricultural sector has not kept up with the growth in
population. Now most rice grown in the country is consumed locally.
Lack of industrial growth and migration from rural villages have
contributed to a rapid rise in urban poor. Many of the resettlement
areas or satellite towns have very few employment opportunities and
the majority of households live on casual day labour wages.
Agriculture
Along with rice, other subsistence crops include groundnuts,
pulses, beans and sugar cane. Production losses caused by floods,
drought, poor agricultural inputs or trade restrictions have
resulted in increased poverty in rural areas. Much of the world's
illicit opium is grown in northern Myanmar, making it the world's
second-largest producer. The government is trying to stop this
trade by introducing other profitable crops or forms of work for
the hill tribe farmers who produce it. Since 1996, cultivation of
opium poppies has decreased by 73 per cent.
Education
Declining resources in formal education have reduced the
availability of teaching aids and textbooks, contributing to
understaffing and overcrowding. Since 1987, the higher education
system has been disrupted by regular closures. The majority of
universities have been closed periodically since 1996.
Health
Although Myanmar's primary healthcare infrastructure is
improving gradually, only 60 per cent of the country is believed to
have access to a full array of services. Poor nutrition, the use of
polluted water and unsanitary methods of waste disposal result in a
high incidence of illness, absenteeism from work and low
productivity. Myanmar's deteriorating economy and its proximity to
the Thai border expose girls and women to sex trafficking. Many of
these girls and women work in the border areas of Thailand, then
return to their villages in Myanmar, contributing to the country's
burgeoning HIV and AIDS problem.
Myanmar at a glance
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) shares borders with Thailand,
Laos, China, India and Bangladesh and is one of the world's most
ethnically diverse countries. It has abundant natural resources,
especially timber, precious stones, oil, gas and fertile soil.
However it is subject to destructive earthquakes, cyclones,
flooding and landslides, and for the vast majority of the
population there are few services or opportunities. Politically,
the country has moved from a colonial administration to socialist
government, then, in 1988, to a military regime known as the State
Peace and Development Council.
