Burma Education and Training Sector Snapshot
Last published date:

Capital:  Rangoon

Population: 57,526,449 (2022 est.)

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $247.24 billion (2020 est.)

Currency: Kyat

Language: Burmese (official)

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number:

Myanmar has 13,158 students studying abroad according to UNESCO

 

CIA World Factbook:

42.97% of the population in Myanmar is under 25 years old.

 

OVERVIEW

Myanmar currently has 47,365 primary schools with approximately 12 million students and 163 higher education universities with approximately 8 million students. Within the days of the coup (Military Coup 2021), a civil disobedience movement emerged, involving more than 300,000 teachers and staff.  The State Administration Council (SAC) suspended over 11,000 academic staff and approximately 125,000 teachers and professors for participating in civil disobedience activities.  In June 2022, the regime Ministry of Education declared the reopening of all elementary schools and institutions, although enrollment has been limited.  5.6 million of Burma’s over 12 million students have returned to school for the new academic year.  Compared to before the coup, enrollment in schools dropped by approximately 40 percent.  Numerous students and families continue to oppose military-led schooling.  Students are missing critical school years and are concerned about their education. Some students from upper and middle-class families are attempting to study abroad, while the rest are eager to obtain a degree from a recognized foreign university in private institutions in Myanmar.

Many local professional training centers/institutions have entered the market.  There are approximately 35 local private training centers offering a variety of certificate and diploma courses in business management, finance, marketing, project management, information technology, engineering, accounting, and tourism, as well as 15 private training centers that offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs from their partner international universities.  More than 50 international schools and over 100 local private schools operate in Yangon and Mandalay, offering pre-elementary, elementary, secondary, and higher-education level courses to meet market demand for English language, computing, accounting, and business-related training.   

Thailand and Singapore are the primary international host countries for Burmese students.  Japan, Korea, and Malaysia are additional Asian destinations.  The UK, U.S., and Australia are the leading educational destinations in the West. Burmese students’ main study areas include business management, financial management, project management, hospitality, accounting, marketing, engineering, and information technology.  

Some local education agents now provide preparatory educational services to students who want to study abroad or pursue international education.  These education agents offer pre-collegiate programs to assist students in developing their academic abilities to secure admission and possible financial assistance at international institutions in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Australia, Canada, and Singapore.  They also assist with visa applications, prepare students for life in a Western college setting, and assist in career planning. 

SUB-SECTORS 

Community Colleges

The community college concept is gaining popularity in Burma as students and parents realize that the idea is an effective and economical route to transfer to high-ranked four-year universities.  Burma ranks 25th among international students enrolled in community colleges in the United States in 2021, accounting for 0.7% of all international students (approximately 554 students).  Local education agents play an essential role in promoting the community college concept in Burma.  Many U.S. community colleges have partnered with regional study-abroad agents to recruit Burmese students.  About 10-15 reputable education agents in Burma work with universities and colleges from various countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Korea, Japan, the U.K., the United States, and Canada. 

Four-Year Degree and Master Programs

Local education agents and counseling services have partnered with many American universities to promote U.S. graduate and postgraduate programs to Burmese students.   

OPPORTUNITIES

People in Burma realize the importance of quality education, and parents are willing to invest in their children’s education to have good career opportunities after graduation.  The local learning centers actively seek partnerships with U.S. education institutes and universities for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs.  According to some learning centers, Burmese students prefer to have more options and desperately wait for U.S. transactional programs.   

Educational seminars given by universities from different countries offering scholarships are becoming common in Burma.  While attracting students from Burma, foreign universities can also explore new partnerships to invest in Burma’s education sector.  Private companies are investing in the primary and secondary school segments to meet the growing demand in the market.  

RESOURCES

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

U.S. Commercial Service, Burma 
Email: office.burma@trade.gov