Urban Poverty: Unpacking Yangon

Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city and economic hub, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in urban poverty, particularly in its peri-urban areas, where those affected by economic collapse and conflict are seeking refuge. This survey-based study with 4,800 respondents, provides a detailed portrait of the deepening vulnerabilities affecting Yangon’s urban and peri-urban communities in the wake of economic downturn, political instability, displacement — and amid a backdrop of shrinking international aid and donor support that has further constrained response capacity.

The scale of urban poverty has risen dramatically in recent years. In 2017, 10% of Yangon’s urban population was classified as poor. By 2023, this figure had increased to 43%. Given Yangon’s total urban population of approximately 6.2 million people, this translates into an increase of about 2 million, with nearly 2.7 million individuals now living in poverty. The depth of urban poverty has also intensified, from 2% in 2017 to 26% in 2023. This means that not only are more people in Yangon falling below the poverty line, but those who are poor are now much further below the poverty line than before.

Download full report in English.

Download Executive Summary in Myanmar.