Myanmar is a culturally and ethnically diverse country, comprising more than 130 ethnic
groups across countries and regions. It is one of the poorest countries in the East Asia and
Pacific Region, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of between
US$500-800. While reliable poverty data are scarce in Myanmar, all indicators point to
poverty being concentrated in rural areas: two rounds of household surveys (in 2005 and 2009)
supported by the United Nations Development Program highlight significant differences in
poverty across geographical areas, and the bulk of the poor are reported to be concentrated in
rural areas. Available figures also suggest that social indicators are poor, for example 32
percent of children under five suffering from malnutrition, the highest rate in the region.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the national economy, generating approximately 43 percent of
gross domestic product, 54 percent of employment and providing livelihoods to more that 70
percent of the population. However, the sector is characterized by a number of constraints,
including limited irrigation, little value-added agro-processing capacity, poor policy settings,
and widespread indebtedness in rural communities.