Rakhine: population, jobs, poverty, health and schools
Rakhine is a state of Myanmar, number 8 of 15 by population. Rakhine State had 3,230,175 people in the 2019 Inter-censal Survey, 6.3% of Myanmar's 51,144,607. By population that is 8th largest of 15 divisions (14 states and regions plus the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory).
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Rakhine: In 2019, 44.8% of people aged 5 and over in Rakhine State were in the labour force (working or looking for work): men 52.8%, women 38.0%. The national rate was 51.4% and Rakhine State is 4th lowest of 15. The published table counts everyone aged 5 and over, so it is lower than rates for adults only.
- Health in Rakhine: The 2014 census estimated that 65 babies in every 1,000 born in Rakhine State died before their first birthday, and 75 in every 1,000 died before age five, against 62 and 72 for Myanmar. These are estimates made from census answers, not registered deaths.
- Education in Rakhine: In 2019 88.6% of adults aged 15 and over in Rakhine State could read and write (men 95.0%, women 83.3%), against 89.1% nationally; that is 7th lowest of 15 states and regions.
- Poverty and living standards in Rakhine: The 2017 Myanmar Living Conditions Survey found 41.6% of people in Rakhine State below the poverty line (1,590 kyat per adult equivalent per day), against 24.8% for Myanmar; it is 2nd highest of 15 states and regions for poverty.
How has the population of Rakhine State changed since 1983?
The 2014 census counted 3,188,807 people in Rakhine State (including an estimate for areas that could not be enumerated), up from 2,045,559 in 1983 and 1,712,838 in 1973. It covers 36,778 square kilometres of land, a density of 87 people per square kilometre in 2014.
Source: Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and Population · saved copyHow urban is Rakhine State?
16.7% of people in Rakhine State lived in urban areas in 2019, compared with 28.8% across Myanmar (joint 3rd least urban of 15 divisions).
Source: Department of Population, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Rakhine State?
In 2019, 29.7% of the people of Rakhine State were aged under 15 and 7.0% were aged 65 or over, with 57.8 children and older people for every 100 people aged 15 to 64 (Myanmar: 27.2% under 15, 6.4% aged 65+, dependency ratio 50.6).
Source: Department of Population, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population · saved copyHow many men and women live in Rakhine State?
There were 86.8 men for every 100 women in Rakhine State in the 2019 Inter-censal Survey, against 87.8 across Myanmar.
Source: Department of Population, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population · saved copyHow states are governed in Myanmar
Regions (7) and states (7), plus Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. Assemblies (hluttaw) 75% elected, 25% military appointees; chief minister appointed by the President. Limited lawmaking under Schedule II; most services delivered by Union ministries.
Every tier of government in Myanmar
Other states of Myanmar
- Yangon 7,831,830
- Mandalay 6,168,225
- Ayeyawady 6,140,001
- Shan 5,384,244
- Sagaing 5,309,914
- Bago 4,814,582
- Magway 3,805,211
- Mon 1,889,274
- Kachin 1,584,375
- Kayin 1,556,552
- Tanintharyi 1,426,426
- Nay Pyi Taw 1,183,314
- Chin 509,037
- Kayah 311,448
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Sources
- Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and Population: The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census, The Union Report, Census Report Volume 2 (Tables 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16 and 17), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b9340ade6cad…)
- Department of Population, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population: The 2019 Inter-censal Survey, Appendix Tables (A-2, A-4, A-9, A-10, B-2, B-7, C-1, F-2, H-1, H-3, H-10 and I-12 by State/Region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f09f9e2de673…)
- Central Statistical Organization (Ministry of Planning and Finance), UNDP and World Bank: Myanmar Living Conditions Survey 2017: Poverty Report (Table 2.2 and Figures 2.1 and 2.4), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2c7589751333…)
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