Despite natural and human capital as well as relatively good economic growth performance, Myanmar is categorized among the Least Developed Countries and considered one of the poorest nations in Asia, ranking 132 out of 169 countries in the 2010 UNDP Human Development Index.
Between 2005 and 2010, the number of people living under the poverty line dropped from 32 percent to 26 percent. However, there is growing concern over rising inequality, disparities among regions and divisions, urban and rural areas, as well as a persistent low investment and lack of productive assets.
Several States and Divisions suffer from high levels of food insecurity, especially Northern Rakhine, Chin, Kachin and Shan states, as well as Magway Division. The national prevalence of acute malnutrition among children under 5 is nearly 9 percent.
According to the 2010 IHLCA Survey, more than a quarter of Myanmar people are poor. Although agriculture is mainstay of dominant share of rural population, food poverty in rural area is higher than that of urban area. This is because of the difference in food availability and economic access to food. Myanmar is also vulnerable to natural disasters, such as cyclone, landslides, earthquake and drought.
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