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Burma vs. Bangladesh

Introduction

BurmaBangladesh
Background

Various ethnic Burman and ethnic minority city-states or kingdoms occupied the present borders through the 19th century, and several minority ethnic groups continue to maintain independent armies and control territory within the country today, in opposition to the central government. Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated all the groups within the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; in 1948, following major battles on its territory during World War II, Burma attained independence from the British Commonwealth. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In response to widespread civil unrest, NE WIN resigned in 1988, but within months the military crushed student-led protests and took power. Since independence, successive Burmese governments have fought on-and-off conflicts with armed ethnic groups seeking autonomy in the country's mountainous border regions.

Multiparty legislative elections in 1990 resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory. Instead of handing over power, the junta placed NLD leader (and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient) AUNG SAN SUU KYI under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, 2000 to 2002, and from May 2003 to November 2010. In late September 2007, the ruling junta brutally suppressed protests over increased fuel prices led by prodemocracy activists and Buddhist monks, killing an unknown number of people and arresting thousands for participating in the demonstrations - popularly referred to as the Saffron Revolution. In early May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, which left over 138,000 dead and tens of thousands injured and homeless. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in Burma since 1990. The 2008 constitution reserves 25% of its seats to the military. Legislative elections held in November 2010, which the NLD boycotted and many in the international community considered flawed, saw the successor ruling junta's mass organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Party garner over 75% of the contested seats.

The national legislature convened in January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as president. Although the vast majority of national-level appointees named by THEIN SEIN were former or current military officers, the government initiated a series of political and economic reforms leading to a substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These reforms included releasing hundreds of political prisoners, signing a nationwide cease-fire with several of the country's ethnic armed groups, pursuing legal reform, and gradually reducing restrictions on freedom of the press, association, and civil society. At least due in part to these reforms, AUNG SAN SUU KYI was elected to the national legislature in April 2012 and became chair of the Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility. Burma served as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2014. In a flawed but largely credible national legislative election in November 2015 featuring more than 90 political parties, the NLD again won a landslide victory. Using its overwhelming majority in both houses of parliament, the NLD elected HTIN KYAW, AUNG SAN SUU KYI's confidant and long-time NLD supporter, as president. The new legislature created the position of State Counsellor, according AUNG SAN SUU KYI a formal role in the government and making her the de facto head of state. Burma's first credibly elected civilian government after more than five decades of military dictatorship was sworn into office on 30 March 2016. In March 2018, upon HTIN KYAW's resignation, parliament selected WIN MYINT, another long-time ally of AUNG SAN SUU KYI's, as president.

Attacks in October 2016 and August 2017 on security forces in northern Rakhine State by members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a Rohingya militant group, resulted in military crackdowns on the Rohingya population that reportedly caused thousands of deaths and human rights abuses. Following the August 2017 violence, over 740,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh as refugees. In November 2017, the US Department of State determined that the August 2017 violence constituted ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas. The UN has called for Burma to allow access to a Fact Finding Mission to investigate reports of human rights violations and abuses and to work with Bangladesh to facilitate repatriation of Rohingya refugees, and in September 2018 the International Criminal Court (ICC) determined it had jurisdiction to investigate reported human rights abuses against Rohingyas. Burma has rejected charges of ethnic cleansing and genocide, and has chosen not to work with the UN Fact Finding Mission or the ICC. In March 2018, President HTIN KYAW announced his voluntary retirement; NLD parliamentarian WIN MYINT was named by the parliament as his successor. In February 2019, the NLD announced it would establish a parliamentary committee to examine options for constitutional reform ahead of the November 2020 national elections.

The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.

The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades and the country reached World Bank lower-middle income status in 2014.

Geography

BurmaBangladesh
LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and ThailandSouthern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Geographic coordinates22 00 N, 98 00 E24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map referencesSoutheast AsiaAsia
Areatotal: 676,578 sq km

land: 653,508 sq km

water: 23,070 sq km
total: 148,460 sq km

land: 130,170 sq km

water: 18,290 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Texasslightly larger than Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined; slightly smaller than Iowa
Land boundariestotal: 6,522 km

border countries (5): Bangladesh 271 km, China 2129 km, India 1468 km, Laos 238 km, Thailand 2416 km
total: 4,413 km

border countries (2): Burma 271 km, India 4142 km
Coastline1,930 km580 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin
Climatetropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terraincentral lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlandsmostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremeshighest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m

lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m

mean elevation: 702 m
highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 85 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower, arable landnatural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Land useagricultural land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 16.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 48.2% (2018 est.)

other: 32.6% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 70.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 59% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 6.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.1% (2018 est.)

other: 18.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land22,950 sq km (2012)53,000 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsdestructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughtsdroughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Environment - current issuesdeforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease; rapid depletion of the country's natural resourcesmany people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; destruction of wetlands; severe overpopulation with noise pollution
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notestrategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterwaymost of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
Total renewable water resources1,167,800,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)1,227,032,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Demographics

BurmaBangladesh
Population57,069,099 (July 2021 est.)164,098,818 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 25.97% (male 7,524,869/female 7,173,333)

15-24 years: 17% (male 4,852,122/female 4,769,412)

25-54 years: 42.76% (male 11,861,971/female 12,337,482)

55-64 years: 8.22% (male 2,179,616/female 2,472,681)

65 years and over: 6.04% (male 1,489,807/female 1,928,778) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 26.48% (male 21,918,651/female 21,158,574)

15-24 years: 18.56% (male 15,186,470/female 15,001,950)

25-54 years: 40.72% (male 31,694,267/female 34,535,643)

55-64 years: 7.41% (male 5,941,825/female 6,115,856)

65 years and over: 6.82% (male 5,218,206/female 5,879,411) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 29.2 years

male: 28.3 years

female: 30 years (2020 est.)
total: 27.9 years

male: 27.1 years

female: 28.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate0.81% (2021 est.)0.95% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.65 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)17.88 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 33.71 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 37.04 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 31.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 28.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 69.62 years

male: 67.96 years

female: 71.39 years (2021 est.)
total population: 74.43 years

male: 72.25 years

female: 76.7 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.05 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.1 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.6% (2019 est.)<.1% (2018 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Burmese (singular and plural)

adjective: Burmese
noun: Bangladeshi(s)

adjective: Bangladeshi
Ethnic groupsBurman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%

note: government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups
Bengali at least 98%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1.1% (2011 est.)

note: Bangladesh's government recognizes 27 indigenous ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act; other sources estimate there are about 75 ethnic groups; critics of the 2011 census claim that it underestimates the size of Bangladesh's ethnic population
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS240,000 (2019 est.)14,000 (2018 est.)
ReligionsBuddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.)

note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith; as of December 2019, Muslims probably make up less than 3% of Burma's total population due to the large outmigration of the Rohingya population since 2017
Muslim 89.1%, Hindu 10%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist, Christian) (2013 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths7,700 (2019 est.)<1000 (2018 est.)
LanguagesBurmese (official)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: minority ethnic groups use their own languages
Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 75.6%

male: 80%

female: 71.8% (2016)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.7%

male: 77.4%

female: 72% (2019)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis

animal contact diseases: rabies
degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations

water contact diseases: leptospirosis

animal contact diseases: rabies

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Bangladesh; as of 19 July 2021, Bangladesh has reported a total of 1,128,889 cases of COVID-19 or 685.47 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 11.13 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 19 July 2021, 3.54% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Food insecuritysevere localized food insecurity: due to conflict, political instability, and economic constraints - the political crisis, following the military takeover on 1 February 2021, resulted in increased tensions and unrest throughout the country; the current uncertain political situation may further compromise the fragile situation of vulnerable households and the Rohingya IDPs residing in the country; persisting conflicts in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, and Shan states have triggered large-scale population displacements particularly since 2017; income losses and a decline in remittances, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected the food security situation of vulnerable households (2021)severe localized food insecurity: due to economic constraints - food insecurity poverty levels have increased due to income losses and a decline in remittances caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2018)
total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2018)
Education expenditures1.9% of GDP (2019)1.3% of GDP (2019)
Urbanizationurban population: 31.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 38.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 93% of population

rural: 76.9% of population

total: 81.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 7% of population

rural: 23.1% of population

total: 18.2% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 98.4% of population

total: 98.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 1.6% of population

total: 1.4% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 87.6% of population

rural: 67.6% of population

total: 73.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 12.4% of population

rural: 32.4% of population

total: 26.3% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 82.5% of population

rural: 64.4% of population

total: 70.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 17.5% of population

rural: 35.6% of population

total: 29.1% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population5.422 million RANGOON (Yangon) (capital), 1.469 million Mandalay (2021)21.741 million DHAKA (capital), 5.133 million Chittagong, 949,000 Khulna, 924,000 Rajshahi, 890,000 Sylhet, Bogra 820,000 (2021)
Maternal mortality rate250 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)173 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight19.1% (2017/18)22.6% (2019)
Health expenditures4.8% (2018)2.3% (2018)
Physicians density0.68 physicians/1,000 population (2018)0.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density1 beds/1,000 population (2017)0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate5.8% (2016)3.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth24.7 years (2015/16 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
18.6 years (2017/18 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Contraceptive prevalence rate52.2% (2015/16)62.7% (2019)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 46.5

youth dependency ratio: 37.3

elderly dependency ratio: 9.1

potential support ratio: 10.9 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 47

youth dependency ratio: 39.3

elderly dependency ratio: 7.7

potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.)

Government

BurmaBangladesh
Country nameconventional long form: Union of Burma

conventional short form: Burma

local long form: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar)

local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw

former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar

etymology: both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from the name of the majority Burman (Bamar) ethnic group

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the current parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not officially adopted the name
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form: Bangladesh

local long form: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh

local short form: Bangladesh

former: East Bengal, East Pakistan

etymology: the name - a compound of the Bengali words "Bangla" (Bengal) and "desh" (country) - means "Country of Bengal"
Government typeparliamentary republicparliamentary republic
Capitalname: Rangoon (Yangon); note - Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital

geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E

time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Rangoon (Yangon) is a compound of "yan" signifying "enemies" and "koun" meaning "to run out of" and so denoting "End of Strife"; Nay Pyi Taw translates as: "Great City of the Sun" or "Abode of Kings"
name: Dhaka

geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E

time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the origins of the name are unclear, but some sources state that the city's site was originally called "dhakka," meaning "watchtower," and that the area served as a watch-station for Bengal rulers
Administrative divisions

7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory

regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)

states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan

union territory: Nay Pyi Taw

8 divisions; Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet
Independence4 January 1948 (from the UK)16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)
National holidayIndependence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Constitutionhistory: previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008

amendments: proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval; amended 2015
history: previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (preindependence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended March 1982, restored November 1986

amendments: proposed by the House of the Nation; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the House membership and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2018
Legal systemmixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary lawmixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: Prime Minister, SAC Chair, Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 1 August 2021); note - MIN AUNG HLAING self-appointed himself to the role of prime minister of a "caretaker" provisional government that subsumed the State Administration Council (SAC) on 1 August 2021; the SAC, chaired by MIN AUNG HLAING, served as the executive governing body since 2 February 2021, following the 1 February 2021 military takeover of the government and the declaration of a state of emergency and still exists under the provisional government according to state media; MIN AUNG HLAING pledged to hold elections in 2023

head of government: Prime Minister, SAC Chair, Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 1 August 2021); note - MIN AUNG HLAING self-appointed himself to the role of prime minister of a "caretaker" provisional government that subsumed the State Administration Council (SAC) on 1 August 2021; the SAC, chaired by MIN AUNG HLAING, served as the executive governing body since 2 February 2021, following the 1 February 2021 military takeover of the government and the declaration of a state of emergency and still exists under the provisional government according to state media; MIN AUNG HLAING pledged to hold elections in 2023

cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief; note - after 1 February, the military replaced the cabinet

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates become vice-presidents (president elected for a 5-year term); election last held on 28 March 2018; MIN AUNG HLAING pledged to hold elections in 2023

election results: WIN MYINT elected president; Assembly of the Union vote - WIN MYINT (NLD) 403, MYINT SWE (USDP) 211, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 18, 4 votes canceled (636 votes cast); note - WIN MYINT was placed under arrest following the military takeover on 1 February 2021

state counsellor: State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); note - under arrest since 1 February 2021; formerly served as minister of foreign affairs and minister for the office of the president

note: a parliamentary bill creating the position of "state counsellor" was signed into law by former President HTIN KYAW on 6 April 2016; a state counsellor serves the equivalent term of the president and is similar to a prime minister in that the holder acts as a link between the parliament and the executive branch
chief of state: President Abdul HAMID (since 24 April 2013); note - Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently indirectly elected by the National Parliament and sworn in 24 April 2013

head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wazed (since 6 January 2009)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister, appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 February 2018 (next to be held by 2023); the president appoints as prime minister the majority party leader in the National Parliament

election results: President Abdul HAMID (AL) reelected by the National Parliament unopposed for a second term; Sheikh HASINA reappointed prime minister as leader of the majority AL party following parliamentary elections in 2018
Legislative branchdescription: bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of:
House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms)
House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats, currently 433; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms); note - on 1 February, the military dissolved the Assembly of the Union; the State Administration Council governs in place of the Assembly of the Union

elections: House of Nationalities - last held on on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025); note - the military junta overturned the results of the 8 November legislative elections

election results: House of Nationalities - percent of vote by party - NLD 61.6%, USDP 3.1%, ANP 1.8%, MUP 1.3%, KSDP 1.3%, other 5.9%, military appointees 25%; seats by party - NLD 138, USDP 7, ANP 4, MUP 3, KSPD 3, SNLD 2, TNP 2, other 2, canceled due to insurgency 7, military appointees 56

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NLD 58.6%, USDP 5.9%, SNLD 3.0%, other 7.5%, military 25%; seats by party - NLD 258, USDP 26, SNLD 13, ANP 4, PNO 3, TNP 3, MUP 2, KSPD 2, other 4, canceled due to insurgency 15, military appointees 110
description: unicameral House of the Nation or Jatiya Sangsad (350 seats; 300 members in single-seat territorial constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote; 50 members - reserved for women only - indirectly elected by the elected members by proportional representation vote using single transferable vote; all members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 30 December 2018 (next to be held in December 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of January 2020 - AL 299, JP 27, BNP 7, other 10, independent 4; composition - men 277, women 73, percent of women 20.9%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial
highest courts: Supreme Court of Bangladesh (organized into the Appellate Division with 7 justices and the High Court Division with 99 justices)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice and justices appointed by the president; justices serve until retirement at age 67

subordinate courts: civil courts include: Assistant Judge's Court; Joint District Judge's Court; Additional District Judge's Court; District Judge's Court; criminal courts include: Court of Sessions; Court of Metropolitan Sessions; Metropolitan Magistrate Courts; Magistrate Court; special courts/tribunals
Political parties and leadersAll Mon Region Democracy Party or AMRDP
Arakan National Party or ANP (formed from the 2013 merger of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and the Arakan League for Democracy)
National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE]
National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SAN SUU KYI]
Kayah State Democratic Party or KySDP
National Unity Party or NUP [THAN TIN]
Pa-O National Organization or PNO [AUNG KHAM HTI]
People's Party [KO KO GYI]
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP [SAI AIK PAUNG]
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN HTUN OO]
Ta'ang National Party or TNP [AIK MONE]
Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP [THAN HTAY]
Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD [PU CIN SIAN THANG]
numerous smaller parties
Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]
Bangladesh Nationalist Front or BNF [Abdul Kalam AZADI]
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]
Bangladesh Tariqat Federation or BTF [Syed Nozibul Bashar MAIZBHANDARI]
Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh or JIB (Makbul AHMAD)
Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]
Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction) [Anwar Hossain MANJU]
Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED]
National Socialist Party or JSD [KHALEQUZZAMAN]
Workers Party or WP [Rashed Khan MENON]
International organization participationADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador AUNG LYNN (since 16 September 2016)

chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344; [1] (202) 332-4250

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351

email address and website:
pyi.thayar@verizon.net; washington-embassy@mofa.gov.mm

http://www.mewashingtondc.com/wordpress/

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador M Shahidul ISLAM (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183

FAX: [1] (202) 244-2771; [1] (202) 244 7830

email address and website:
mission.washington@mofa.gov.bd

http://www.bdembassyusa.org/

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. VAJDA (since 19 January 2021)

embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon

mailing address: 4250 Rangoon Place, Washington DC  20521-4250

telephone: [95] (1) 753-6509

FAX: [95] (1) 751-1069

email address and website:
ACSRangoon@state.gov

https://mm.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Earl Robert MILLER (since 29 November 2018)

embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212

mailing address: 6120 Dhaka Place, Washington DC  20521-6120

telephone: [880] (2) 5566-2000

FAX: [880] (2) 5566-2907

email address and website:
DhakaACS@state.gov

https://bd.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptiondesign consists of three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a large white five-pointed star that partially overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943-45, during the Japanese occupationgreen field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh
National anthemname: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar)

lyrics/music: SAYA TIN

note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work
name: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)

lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE

note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCthas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)chinthe (mythical lion); national colors: yellow, green, red, whiteBengal tiger, water lily; national colors: green, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Burma

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: none

note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

BurmaBangladesh
Economy - overview

Since Burma began the transition to a civilian-led government in 2011, the country initiated economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Burma established a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granted the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacted a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granted licenses to 13 foreign banks in 2014-16. State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, have sought to improve Burma's investment climate following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases rules on foreign ownership of businesses.

Burma's economic growth rate recovered from a low growth under 6% in 2011 but has been volatile between 6% and 8% between 2014 and 2018. Burma's abundant natural resources and young labor force have the potential to attract foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. The government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. The government has also taken steps to improve transparency in the mining and oil sectors through publication of reports under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2016 and 2018.

Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia - approximately 26% of the country's 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese Government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as unclear land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system.

Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product.

 

Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$277.909 billion (2019 est.)

$270.109 billion (2018 est.)

$253.028 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$775.076 billion (2019 est.)

$716.65 billion (2018 est.)

$664.403 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate6.8% (2017 est.)

5.9% (2016 est.)

7% (2015 est.)
7.4% (2017 est.)

7.2% (2016 est.)

6.8% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$5,142 (2019 est.)

$5,029 (2018 est.)

$4,740 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$4,754 (2019 est.)

$4,441 (2018 est.)

$4,161 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 24.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 35.6% (2017 est.)

services: 40.3% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 14.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 29.3% (2017 est.)

services: 56.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line24.8% (2017 est.)24.3% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)8.8% (2019 est.)

6.8% (2018 est.)

4.6% (2017 est.)
5.5% (2019 est.)

5.5% (2018 est.)

5.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force22.3 million (2017 est.)66.64 million (2017 est.)

note: extensive migration of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 70%

industry: 7%

services: 23% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 42.7%

industry: 20.5%

services: 36.9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate4% (2017 est.)

4% (2016 est.)
4.4% (2017 est.)

4.4% (2016 est.)

note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many persons counted as employed work only a few hours a week and at low wages
Distribution of family income - Gini index30.7 (2017 est.)32.4 (2016 est.)

33.2 (2005)
Budgetrevenues: 9.108 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 11.23 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 25.1 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 33.5 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesagricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments; jade and gemsjute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate8.9% (2017 est.)10.2% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsrice, sugar cane, beans, vegetables, milk, maize, poultry, groundnuts, fruit, plantainsrice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheat
Exports$16.267 billion (2018 est.)

$14.611 billion (2017 est.)

note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh
$33.057 billion (2019 est.)

$29.798 billion (2018 est.)

$27.568 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesnatural gas, clothing products, rice, copper, dried legumes (2019)clothing, knitwear, leather footwear (2019)
Exports - partnersChina 24%, Thailand 24%, Japan 7%, Germany 5% (2019)United States 15%, Germany 14%, United Kingdom 8%, Spain 7%, France 7% (2019)
Imports$14.958 billion (2018 est.)

$16.21 billion (2017 est.)

note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India
$44.801 billion (2019 est.)

$45.725 billion (2018 est.)

$36.001 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, fabrics, motorcycles, packaged medicines (2019)refined petroleum, cotton, natural gas, scrap iron, wheat (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 43%, Thailand 15%, Singapore 12%, Indonesia 5% (2019)China 31%, India 15%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Debt - external$6.594 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$50.26 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$41.85 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rateskyats (MMK) per US dollar -

1,361.9 (2017 est.)

1,234.87 (2016 est.)

1,234.87 (2015 est.)

1,162.62 (2014 est.)

984.35 (2013 est.)
taka (BDT) per US dollar -

84.75 (2020 est.)

85 (2019 est.)

83.715 (2018 est.)

77.947 (2014 est.)

77.614 (2013 est.)
Fiscal year1 April - 31 March1 July - 30 June
Public debt33.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

35.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
33.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

33.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$4.924 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$33.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$32.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance$240 million (2019 est.)

-$2.398 billion (2018 est.)
-$5.322 billion (2017 est.)

$1.391 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$76.606 billion (2019 est.)$329.545 billion (2020 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 46.8 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 89.3 (2020)

Trading score: 47.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 26.4 (2020)
Overall score: 45 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 82.4 (2020)

Trading score: 31.8 (2020)

Enforcement score: 22.2 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 1.5%

male: 1.4%

female: 1.6% (2019 est.)
total: 12.8%

male: 10.8%

female: 16.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 59.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 33.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 21.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 15% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -20.3% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving29.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

26.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

17.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
35.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

33.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

35.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

BurmaBangladesh
Electricity - production17.32 billion kWh (2016 est.)60.51 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption14.93 billion kWh (2016 est.)53.65 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production11,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)3,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)21,860 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports1,824 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves139 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)28 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves637.1 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)185.8 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production18.41 billion cu m (2017 est.)29.53 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption4.502 billion cu m (2017 est.)29.53 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports14.07 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity5.205 million kW (2016 est.)11.9 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)97% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants61% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production13,330 bbl/day (2017 est.)26,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption123,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)106,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)901 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports102,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)81,570 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 51% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019)
electrification - total population: 83% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019)

Telecommunications

BurmaBangladesh
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 544,283

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 1,449,646

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 63,877,526

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113.84 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 165.572 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 102.87 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.mm.bd
Internet userstotal: 17,064,985

percent of population: 30.68% (July 2018 est.)
total: 23,917,950

percent of population: 15% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: Burma, one of the last underdeveloped telecom markets in Asia, saw growth in mobile and broadband services through foreign competition and roll out of 4G and 5G networks; infrastructure development challenged by flooding, unreliable electricity, inefficient bureaucracy, and corruption; digital divide affects rural areas; fixed broadband remains low due to number of fixed-lines and near saturation of the mobile platform; healthy m-banking platform; tests for NB-IoT; benefit from launch of regional satellite; government utilizes intermittent censorship and shut-down of Internet in political crisis; top importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line is 1 per 100, while mobile-cellular is 114 per 100 and shows great potential for the future (2019)

international: country code - 95; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, SeaMeWe-5, AAE-1 and Singapore-Myanmar optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

Bangladesh's economic constraints hinder network infrastructure, resulting in the lowest fixed-line penetration rate in South Asia and a very low fixed broadband rate; most consumers utilize mobile broadband for data on LTE networks but rates are still well below that of most other Asian countries; the government approved a modernization project to support investment and prepare for 5G launches; 2020 test of 5G technology in Dhaka; government directive allows IoT for smart buildings and automation industries; government project aims to provide network to services and schools; importer of broadcasting equipment from China  (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 101 telephones per 100 persons; mobile subscriber growth is anticipated over the next five years to 2023; strong local competition (2019)

international: country code - 880; landing points for the SeaMeWe-4 and SeaMeWe-5 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 129,050

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
total: 8,085,500

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5.02 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediagovernment controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations with 1 of the stations controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; access to satellite TV is limited; 1 state-controlled domestic radio station and 9 FM stations that are joint state-private ventures; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in parts of Burma; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast in Burma; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite to audiences in Burma; in March 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters, allowing them digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) and will rely upon MRTV's transmission infrastructure (2019)state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcasts throughout the country. Some channels, such as BTV World, operate via satellite. The government also owns a medium wave radio channel and some private FM radio broadcast news channels. Of the 41 Bangladesh approved TV stations, 26 are currently being used to broadcast. Of those, 23 operate under private management via cable distribution. Collectively, TV channels can reach more than 50 million people across the country.

Transportation

BurmaBangladesh
Railwaystotal: 5,031 km (2008)

narrow gauge: 5,031 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
total: 2,460 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge: 659 km 1.676-m gauge (2014)
Roadwaystotal: 157,000 km (2013)

paved: 34,700 km (2013)

unpaved: 122,300 km (2013)
total: 369,105 km (2018)

paved: 110,311 km (2018)

unpaved: 258,794 km (2018)
Waterways12,800 km (2011)8,370 km (includes up to 3,060 km of main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in the dry season) (2011)
Pipelines3739 km gas, 1321 km oil (2017)2950 km gas (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Mawlamyine (Moulmein), Sittwe

river port(s): Rangoon (Yangon) (Rangoon River)
major seaport(s): Chattogram (Chittagong)

container port(s) (TEUs): Chattogram (Chittagong) (3,088,187) (2019)

river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River)
Merchant marinetotal: 93

by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 37, oil tanker 5, other 49 (2020)
total: 427

by type: bulk carrier 46, container ship 4, general cargo 118, oil tanker 142, other 117 (2020)
Airportstotal: 64 (2013)total: 18 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 36 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 12 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2017)

under 914 m: 1 (2017)
total: 16 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

under 914 m: 5 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 28 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 10 (2013)

under 914 m: 13 (2013)
total: 2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Heliports11 (2013)3 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 8 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 42

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,407,788 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.74 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 30

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,984,155 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 63.82 million mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixXYS2

Military

BurmaBangladesh
Military branchesBurmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People's Militia; Border Guard Forces; Ministry of Home Affairs: People's Police Force (2021)

note: the Burmese military controls the People's Militia, Border Guard Forces, and the Ministry of Home Affairs
Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2021)

note: the Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security
Military service age and obligation18-35 years of age (men) and 18-27 years of age (women) for voluntary military service; no conscription (a 2010 law reintroducing conscription has not yet entered into force); 2-year service obligation; male (ages 18-45) and female (ages 18-35) professionals (including doctors, engineers, mechanics) serve up to 3 years; service terms may be stretched to 5 years in an officially declared emergency (2019)16-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi nationality and 10th grade education required; officers: 17-21 years of age, Bangladeshi nationality, and 12th grade education required (2018)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP2.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

2.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

3.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

3.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

4.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2019)

1.3% of GDP (2018)

1.2% of GDP (2017)

1.4% of GDP (2016)

1.4% of GDP (2015)
Military and security service personnel strengthsinformation varies widely; approximately 400,000 total active troops (est. 360,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 20,000 Air Force) (2021)information varies; approximately 165,000 total active personnel (135,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Burmese military inventory is comprised mostly of older Chinese and Russian/Soviet-era equipment with a smaller mix of more modern acquisitions; since 2010, China and Russia are the leading suppliers of military hardware; Burma has a limited defense industry, including a growing shipbuilding capability (2020)the Bangladesh Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly Chinese and Russian equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Bangladesh; Bangladesh is currently undertaking a significant defense modernization program, with a focus on naval acquisitions (2020)

Transnational Issues

BurmaBangladesh
Disputes - international

over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 912,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Rakhine State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border with Bangladesh in 2010; Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Burmese forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade, prompts local residents to periodically flee into neighboring Yunnan Province in China; fencing along the India-Burma international border at Manipur's Moreh town is in progress to check illegal drug trafficking and movement of militants; over 100,000 mostly Karen refugees and asylum seekers fleeing civil strife, political upheaval, and economic stagnation in Burma were living in remote camps in Thailand near the border as of May 2017

Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement of longstanding boundary disputes over undemarcated areas and the exchange of territorial enclaves, but which had never been implemented; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 912,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Rakhine State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border

Illicit drugsworld's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated poppy cultivation totaling 41,000 hectares in 2017, a decrease of 25% from the last survey in 2015; Shan state is the source of 91% of Burma's poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; Burma is one of the world's largest producers of amphetamine-type stimulants, which are trafficked throughout the region, as far afield as Australia and New Zealandtransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Refugees and internally displaced personsIDPs: 505,000 (government offensives against armed ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) (2020)

stateless persons: 600,000 (2020); note - Rohingya Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a "national race" and stripped them of their citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as "non-nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali or be put in detention camps and face deportation; native-born but non-indigenous people, such as Indians, are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not grant citizenship to children born outside of the country to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled persecution, such as those born in Thailand; the number of stateless persons has decreased dramatically because hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since 25 August 2017 to escape violence

note: estimate does not include stateless IDPs or stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they are included in estimates of IDPs (2017)
refugees (country of origin): 884,041 (Burma) (2021) (includes an estimated 733,343 Rohingya refugees who have fled conflict since 25 August 2017)

IDPs: 427,000 (conflict, development, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2020)

stateless persons: 866,457 (2020)

Environment

BurmaBangladesh
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 34.69 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 25.28 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 42.2 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 58.33 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 84.25 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 59.3 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 3.323 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 498.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 29.57 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 770 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 31.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 1.69% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,677,307 tons (2000 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 14,778,497 tons (2012 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook