As a military ruler transformed to a president, transformed to political kingpin, Gen. NE WIN was in control from 1962-1988. In 1990, the opposition party, the National League for Democracy, won the multiparty legislative elections in a landslide victory. The military junta, though, refused to give up power and proceeded to place many political leaders, including NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under house arrest or in prison. Many are still in custody currently. After the military junta increased gas prices in August 2007, Burmese prodemocracy groups and buddhists priests protested. Protests ceased in September 2007 due to government supression, killing at least 13 protestors and jailing thousands. Raids and arrests of those believed to be associated with the protests still continue.
Capital City:
Rangoon (+6.5 GMT)
Chief of State:
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. Than Shwe
Head of Govt.:
Prime Minister, Lt. Gen Thein Sein
Currency:
Kyat
Main Cities:
Rangoon, Mandalay
Major Languages:
Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages
Calling Code:
95
Voltage:
230
Primary Religions:
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%
Main Airports
U.S. Embassy
581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)
tel: [95] (1) 379880
Key Facts
-
GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
-
$1,200 (2008 est.)
-
Inflation Rate
-
26.8% (2008 est.)
-
Population
-
48,137,741
-
Country Risk Ratings
-
D
-
Ease of Doing Business
-
-/181
-
Global Competitiveness
-
-/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 30.04 million (2008 est.)
- Exports:
- $6.348 billion (2008 est.)
- Exports - partners:
- Thailand 52.6%, India 12%, China 9.2%, Japan 4.4% (2008)
- Imports:
- $3.427 billion (2008 est.)
- Imports - partners:
- China 32%, Thailand 21%, Singapore 20.5%, South Korea 5.3%, Malaysia 4.2%, Indonesia 4% (2008)
- Major Industries:
- agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; natural gas; garments, jade and gems
Rankings
Corruption Perceptions Index
1.9
out of 180
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
Transparency International
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
EIU
Freedom of the Press
96
out of 191
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
Freedom House
Global Services Location Index
-
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
A.T. Kearney
Index of Economic Freedom
153
out of 155
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
Heritage Foundation
Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Forbes
The Globalization Index
-
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Foreign Policy
