The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census: Thematic Report on Mortality

This thematic report presents the status of mortality based on the 2014 Census. The analysis shows that Myanmar has recorded declines in childhood mortality in the last three decades, but mortality rates in the country are still high compared with other countries in the ASEAN region. The decline in mortality rates could be attributed to programmes implemented by the ministry responsible for health. The declines are, however, not evenly distributed across the country. States and Regions such as Ayeyawady, Magway, and Chin, among others, still exhibit high levels of mortality both for children and adults. Life expectancy at birth has increased significantly both for males and females at the Union level, however again there are wide disparities at the subnational levels. There are some States and Regions especially Mon, Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw that have low early-age mortality rates as well as high life expectancy, but in Mon State other development indicators do not support this scenario. In addition, the wide variation in mortality rates between male and female children is a matter that requires further investigation. There is a need for specialized mortality surveys in such States and Regions to validate findings from the Census.