The Economy of Myanmar
The 2021 Coup and Economic Collapse
A military coup in February 2021 caused the economy to shrink by about 18 per cent that year, according to World Bank estimates, as strikes, violence and sanctions took hold.
Reversal of a decade of progress.
Coup
The military seized power on 1 February 2021 after elections won by the NLD.
Contraction
The World Bank estimated GDP fell roughly 18 per cent in 2021.
Disruption
Strikes, bank runs, conflict and lost investor confidence.
Human impact
Poverty rose sharply, and millions were displaced.
An empty ATM
Cash shortages left people queuing for withdrawals.
Underestimating how politics shapes economic outcomes
A coup can undo years of gains.
Key takeaways
- The coup came in February 2021.
- GDP fell about 18%.
- Confidence collapsed.
- Poverty rose.
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