A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that Myanmar’s youth are facing a “generation on hold” crisis, with widespread disruptions in education and employment threatening the future of over one-third of the country’s population.
The report, titled A Generation on Hold: Youth Employment and Education in Myanmar, draws from a nationally representative survey and highlights how political instability, economic decline, and ongoing conflict have severely limited opportunities for young people. Rural youth are particularly affected, with less access to formal education and jobs compared to their urban peers.
Key findings reveal that one in four young people—nearly 4 million—are currently not employed, with unemployment rates exceeding 50% in some regions. Most employed youth work in informal sectors, such as farming or casual labor, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks.
Education has also been deeply impacted, with three in four youth aged 18 to 24 no longer in school or training. In rural areas, that number rises to four in five. The report also notes significant gender disparities: nearly one in four young women leave school due to household responsibilities, compared to just 5% of men. Women also earn, on average, 22% less than men.
Despite these challenges, the report underscores the resilience and ambition of Myanmar’s youth. Nearly half of those surveyed identified technical and vocational training as a top priority, and many are already engaged in small-scale entrepreneurship—often out of necessity.
UNDP is calling for urgent, locally-led efforts to expand flexible learning and skills-training opportunities, particularly in conflict-affected and rural areas. The report emphasizes the need to address barriers keeping young women out of education and work, and to support youth-led small businesses as a critical lifeline.
“Investing in Myanmar’s youth is critical for the country’s future resilience and recovery,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “What is at stake is more than jobs and education. It is the future capabilities and dreams of an entire generation.”
