Improvements in education and health will help to relieve the human capital constraint that currently inhibits Myanmar’s economy from fulfilling its full potential. Healthy, skilled and knowledgeable workers are essential to improve the performance of farms and businesses, as well as the government’s operations. Recent government action to review and improve the performance of the education sector, as well as a recent and substantial increase in budgetary commitment to education and health care, demonstrate the increased importance placed on human capital, a key ingredient for economic growth and structural transformation. Investing in broad human capital development is fundamental for Myanmar to develop into a modern industrialized economy. An equitable, effective, and good quality education system is essential to ensure that workers have the basic skills to integrate innovation and technology into production.
Myanmar has made some progress toward achieving its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but there is room for further improvement to reach the targets for 2015. Myanmar has made notable progress in areas such as the food poverty incidence, the under-5 mortality rate, the maternal mortality and sanitation. 84% of poverty is found in rural areas and disparities are pronounced across states. One in every four Myanmar citizens is considered poor.
As a resource-rich country, Myanmar is well positioned to set a course of growth and development that is green, resilient, and environmentally sustainable. With strong global support, the shift to green growth will generate new jobs and new opportunities for economic advancement based on the development of clean technologies and the greening of economic sectors. Many options exist, including, for example, developing climate-resilient, green infrastructure and energy projects, sustainable transport systems, and integrated urban planning. With its good weather, abundant water resources, and large rural population, Myanmar could harvest this 'low hanging fruit' as a source of growth in the near term and further develop a vibrant export sector in farm products.
The national transport networks, access to electricity, phone and internet are outdated and remain insufficient to support growing economic activity. Risks associated with economic reform and liberalization, climate change and environmental degradation, and internal conflicts could be significant. 2012.08.20 Asian Development Bank - Report : Myanmar in transition, opportunities and challenges