Myanmar youth face crisis as jobs and education collapse

UNFPA

Myanmar’s young people are facing a deepening crisis in education and employment, according to a new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Political instability, economic decline and social disruption have left millions “on hold”, unable to pursue studies or secure meaningful work.

The report, A Generation on Hold, draws on the 2024 Myanmar Youth Survey and reveals that over 5 million youth aged 18 to 24 are no longer in education or training. In rural areas, the figure rises to 80%, with regions like Tanintharyi, Chin and Kayah particularly affected.

Employment prospects are equally bleak. One in four young people—nearly 4 million—are jobless, with rates exceeding 50% in Kayah and 40% in Rakhine. Most of those working are in informal roles such as casual labour or subsistence farming, leaving them exposed to economic shocks.

Gender disparities are stark. Nearly a quarter of young women leave school due to household duties, compared to just 5% of men. Women earn 22% less on average, and in some regions, many report being barred from working by their spouses.

The report also warns of a growing “NEET generation”—youth not in employment, education or training—with nearly 3 million affected. The highest rates are among women and in conflict-hit areas.

Despite these challenges, UNDP notes the resilience of Myanmar’s youth. Many are turning to small-scale entrepreneurship and see vocational training as a vital path forward. The agency calls for urgent, locally-led action to expand flexible learning and align skills with jobs in agriculture, digital and green sectors.

“Millions of young women and men are seeing their aspirations collapse under the weight of disrupted education and vanishing jobs,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Director. “What’s at stake is the future of an entire generation.”

The report urges targeted support for rural and displaced youth, and measures to ease barriers for young women. Without intervention, Myanmar risks long-term damage to its human capital and recovery prospects.

-2025-10-03