Myanmar: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Myanmar?

The unemployment rate was 0.72% in the 2024 Population and Housing Census, with a labour force of 11.70 million and 0.08 million unemployed, according to Table 5.1 of the Ministry of Labour's Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. The Department of Labour's projections had put the rate at 3.69% for 2023-24.

The census figures cover only the 32.2 million people who were actually counted in the census, so they are not comparable with the projections, which cover the whole working-age population aged 15 and over. Myanmar's last full labour force survey was carried out in 2019.

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

How many people work in Myanmar?

Employment was 23.09 million and the labour force 23.97 million in 2023-24, according to Department of Labour projections in Table 5.1 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. The labour force participation rate was 61.13%.

The projections are based on the 2014 census, the 2019 inter-censal survey and labour force surveys from 2015 to 2019. The same table shows that the 2024 census counted 11.62 million employed people, but that count covers only the 32.2 million people enumerated. The CSO home page still shows the 2019 survey's labour force of 22.28 million.

Official sources: Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025 · CSO home page

How many Myanmar workers go abroad for jobs?

The Department of Labour placed 166,634 workers in overseas jobs in 2024-25, down from 221,968 in 2023-24, according to Table 5.5 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. Thailand took 83,769, Japan 31,158, Singapore 18,461, Malaysia 14,139 and South Korea 10,118.

The figures count workers issued Overseas Workers Identification Cards by the Department of Labour's offices in North Dagon, Yangon, and Myawaddy. Workers who leave through other routes are not included.

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

How many workers are covered by social security in Myanmar?

The Social Security Board covered 1,295,712 workers in 35,309 establishments in 2024-25, according to Table 5.6 of the Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators 2024-2025. Of the insured workers, 1,158,064 were in the private sector and 111,325 in the public sector; 821,511 were women.

The scheme covers employees of registered establishments, so own-account and family workers, who made up more than 45% of the employed in the 2024 census, are largely outside it. The board also runs 101 social security offices, 242 clinics and three workers' hospitals.

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

What is the minimum wage in Myanmar?

No current minimum wage notification was found on the Ministry of Labour website when it was searched on 15 October 2026. The ministry's Laws and Regulations page lists the Minimum Wages Law (2013) and the Minimum Wages Rule (2013) among the laws it supervises.

Minimum wage rates in Myanmar are set by notification under the Minimum Wage Law, and any later allowances may be announced separately, so check the date of any rate quoted. The ministry's employment statistics are collected in its annual Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour · Ministry of Labour: laws and regulations

What is Myanmar's minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 124,800 MMK a month. That is the highest since at least 2015.

What is the average monthly salary in Myanmar?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Myanmar was $136 a month in 2020. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $594 a month, and Myanmar placed 14th highest of 14. Of 93 countries with 2020 data, 92nd highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Myanmar?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Myanmar was 3.0% in 2025. The peak was 4.3% in 2021 and the low 0.4% in 2019. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.9%, and Myanmar placed 12th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 134th highest.

How many young people in Myanmar are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Myanmar at 9.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 12.8%; its low point was 2019, at 1.3%. It is 10th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 7.5%. Worldwide: 107th of 174.

What share of people in Myanmar are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Myanmar at 55.1% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 21st highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. World rank, highest first: 133rd of 174.

How many women in Myanmar are working or looking for work?

40.9%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Myanmar for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 22nd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. Worldwide: 139th of 174.

How many people in Myanmar are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Myanmar was 53.4%, according to the ILO. The peak was 65.9% in 2005 and the low 52.8% in 2021. It is 21st highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. Worldwide: 123rd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Myanmar?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Myanmar at 62.9% in 2025. The peak was 68.2% in 2005 and the low 61.9% in 2018. It is 4th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 40.0%. Worldwide: 37th of 174.

What share of workers in Myanmar earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 34.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 34.8%; its low point was 2005, at 29.0%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.8%, and Myanmar placed 20th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 136th of 174.