12 days. 120 000 information collectors. 41 questions. About 60 million Myanmar respondents. That was the starting point for the first census in Myanmar for 30 years. Census takers, most of whom were women, collected the country’s population data from villages, towns and cities in 2014. According to the census, the population of Myanmar is 51,4 million and not 60 million as had been estimated before.

Details of the population by age and gender, health, education levels and employment help in the planning of public services. When it is known whether people have access to electricity, water or mobile phones, it is easier to bring the services to areas where the need is the greatest. Finland supported the Myanmar census from its development cooperation funds.

Photo: Erja-Outi Heino, graphics: Juho Hiilivirta