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Myanmar Population 2026 & Religious Demographics: Trends & Insights
Myanmar or Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is a country in Southeast Asia. It’s the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia and the 10th largest country in Asia by area. As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of Myanmar in 2026 is 55,695,986 (55 million or 5.5 crores)
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Myanmar Demographics 2026
| Myanmar | 2026 Population |
| Total Population | 55,695,986 (55 million) |
| Global Rank | 27th |
| Share of World Pop. | 0.7% |
| Land Area | 653,508 sq. km (252,321 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 39 |
| Pop. Density | 85 people/sq. km |
| Growth rate | 0.73% |
| Fertility Rate* in Myanmar | 2.17 |
| Infant mortality rate** in Myanmar | 33.4 |
| Median Age in Myanmar | 29 years |
| Life Expectancy in Myanmar | 67.78 years |
| Urban Population of Myanmar | 31.4% |
Religious Demographics of Myanmar (2026 Updated)
Buddhism is the majority religion in Myanmar and Theravāda Buddhism is the most widespread. According to the 2014 Myanmar Census, 87.9% of the population identifies as Buddhists. Most Bamar, Shan, Mon, Rakhine, Karen, and many ethnic groups of Myanmar follow Theravada Buddhism. Some Chinese people follow Mahayana Buddhism. Burmese folk religion is practiced by many Bamars alongside Buddhism.
Chrisanity in Myanmar
Chrisanity is the second largest religion in Myanmar and 6.2% of the population identifies as Christian. Christianity is the majority religion in Chin State, and there’s a significant Christian population in Kachin State and Kayah State. Most Chin, Kachin, and Karenni people follow Christianity.
Islam in Myanmar
Islam is a minority religion in Myanmar, practiced by about 2.1% of the population. Muslims are spread across the country in small communities. The British Indian-descended Muslims live mainly in Yangon. Rohingyas, a minority Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine State, Western Burma. The Rohingya population is mostly concentrated in five northern townships of Rakhine State: Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Akyab, Sandway, Tongo, Shokepro, Rashong Island and Kyauktaw. The Muslim population faces religious persecution in Myanmar. Since independence, successive governments (both democratic and military) did not grant citizenship to the Muslim Rohingya of Northern Rakhine (Arakan) and forbid missionary activities.
Hinduism in Myanmar
Although Hinduism is practiced by 0.5% of the population, it was a major religion in Myanmar’s past. Several strains of Hinduism existed alongside both Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. 0.8% as followers of tribal religions; 0.2% as followers of other religions; and 0.1% follow no religion.
Religion percentage in Myanmar
| Religion | Percentage |
| Buddhism | 87.90% |
| Christianity | 6.20% |
| Islam | 2.10% |
| Hinduism | 0.50% |
| Tribal religions | 0.80% |
| Other | 0.20% |
| No religion | 0.10% |
Source: Census 2014
Projected Religious Percentage (2010-2050)
According to a PEW Research report, Myanmar’s religious composition is projected to remain predominantly Buddhist, with Buddhism accounting for around 79.8% of the population from 2010 to 2050. Christianity is expected to see a slight increase from 7.8% to 7.9%, while Islam is projected to grow from 4.0% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2050. Hinduism remains stable at around 1.6-1.7%, while folk religions are expected to decline slightly from 5.8% to 5.4%. Other religious groups, including those identifying as having no religion, remain under 1% throughout the period.
| Year | Buddhism | Christianity | Islam | Hinduism | Folk Religion | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 79.8% | 7.8% | 4.0% | 1.7% | 5.8% | <1% |
| 2020 | 79.8% | 7.8% | 4.2% | 1.7% | 5.8% | <1% |
| 2030 | 79.7% | 7.8% | 4.4% | 1.7% | 5.7% | <1% |
| 2040 | 79.7% | 7.8% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 5.6% | <1% |
| 2050 | 79.8% | 7.9% | 4.7% | 1.6% | 5.4% | <1% |
Source: PEW research center
Largest Cities in Myanmar by Population
| # | City | State | Population |
| 1 | Yangon | Yangon | 52,11,431 |
| 2 | Mandalay | Mandalay | 12,25,546 |
| 3 | Naypyidaw | Naypyidaw | 11,60,242 |
| 4 | Bago | Bago | 4,91,434 |
| 5 | Hpa-An | Kayin | 4,21,575 |
| 6 | Taunggyi | Shan | 3,81,636 |
| 7 | Monywa | Sagaing | 3,72,095 |
| 8 | Myitkyina | Kachin | 3,06,949 |
| 9 | Mawlamyine | Mon | 2,89,388 |
| 10 | Magway | Magway | 2,89,247 |
Source: Census 2015
Indian Population in Myanmar
Burmese Indians make around 3-5% of the Myanmar population & approx population of Indians in Myanmar as of 2021 is 20 Lakhs. Some of the Cities where Indians are in large numbers are Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Pyin U Lwin, and Kalaw
Read more about Indian Population in Myanmar