Myanmar: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Myanmar?

The crime rate was 144.52 per 100,000 people in 2024-25, up from 116.26 in 2023-24, according to Myanmar Police Force figures in Table 8.8 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. Serious crime was 4.91 per 100,000, other crime 76.33 and preventive crime 63.28.

The figures are for calendar years and count cases recorded by the police; the handbook says they do not include age, type of crime or region. The rate was 547.68 in 2019-20, so the series has fallen sharply, which may reflect recording as well as offending.

Official sources: Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025

What is the homicide rate in Myanmar?

The intentional homicide rate was 2.6 per 100,000 people in 2023, according to UNODC figures published by the World Bank. Myanmar's police figures in the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025 do not show murder separately; they put all serious crime at 4.91 per 100,000 in 2024-25.

UNODC homicide figures come from national police or health data reported to the UN. In areas affected by armed conflict, conflict deaths are usually not counted as intentional homicide.

Official sources: World Bank: intentional homicides, Myanmar · Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025

How many police officers does Myanmar have per person?

There was one police officer for every 630 people in 2024-25, compared with one for every 717 in 2023-24 and one for every 1,167 in 2019-20, according to Myanmar Police Force figures in Table 8.8 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025.

The handbook does not give the total number of officers or say which population figure it divides by. Changes in the ratio can come from changes in the population estimate as well as in police numbers.

Official sources: Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025

How many drug crimes are there in Myanmar?

Narcotic crime was 10.58 per 100,000 people in 2024-25, according to Myanmar Police Force figures in Table 8.8 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. Trafficking in persons was 0.22 per 100,000.

The handbook switched from case counts to rates during the series: it shows 14,511 narcotic cases in 2019-20 and 7,625 in 2020-21, then rates per 100,000 from 2021-22 onward, so the early and later years cannot be compared directly.

Official sources: Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025

What is the homicide rate in Myanmar?

In 2023, the intentional homicide rate in Myanmar was 2.6 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.4 per 100,000 (2005) to 28.7 per 100,000 (2021). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.9 per 100,000, and Myanmar placed 3rd highest of 9. Of 79 countries with 2023 data, 34th highest.

How many women are killed in Myanmar?

0.9 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for women in Myanmar for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Its high point since 2009 was 2021, at 7.4 per 100,000; its low point was 2011, at 0.4 per 100,000. East Asia & Pacific median: 0.7 per 100,000; Myanmar is 4th highest of 8. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 40th highest.

How many men are killed in Myanmar?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for men in Myanmar at 4.3 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2009 was 2021, at 50.1 per 100,000; its low point was 2010, at 2.7 per 100,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.3 per 100,000, and Myanmar placed 3rd highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 78.

How many people have died in armed conflict in Myanmar?

2,332: that is battle-related deaths in Myanmar for 2024, according to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 2,439; its low point was 2008, at 46. Of 41 countries with 2024 data, 8th highest.