YANGON

Yangon is the most populous city in Myanmar and was once the capital city. It’s situated in the southern part of the country, near the Andaman Sea. Yangon is among the most historically rich cities and one of the most vibrant. It is the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural center. Since its establishment, Yangon has been influencing other cities around the country. It is famous for its striking colonial-era buildings and modern structures that stand side by side to complement each other. Some of the places that make it famous include the Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Colonial-era buildings, and Inya Lake.

The last census in Myanmar was conducted in 2014 and the next one is scheduled for 2024. According to the 2014 census, Yangon had a population of 5,211,431. Compared to other cities in Myanmar, Yangon is considered to be more diverse. According to the 2014 census, the majority of the population is Bamar, followed by Kayin, and Chinese. Yangon houses millions of residents, who collectively speak over 100 languages, including Burmese, Karen, English, and Mandarin. The Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks in Yangon, is believed to be over 2,500 years old.

Yangon has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of having the largest city economy in Myanmar. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a vibrant culture steeped in commerce. It has a GRP of over $32 billion, which is about 22 percent of Myanmar's total GDP. The Port of Yangon handles a significant amount of cargo every year.

Yangon has seen significant infrastructure development in recent years. From new energy, water, and sewage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new road schemes, the city is continuously evolving. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector, through privatized utilities. Business is particularly concerned at the lack of capacity in digital infrastructure, and these are priority areas for action by the city's administration.

Yangon is one of the most technologically advanced cities in Myanmar. It has a growing number of financial transactions that take place electronically each day through its financial services industry. Because Yangon relies on its financial sector so much, it has invested heavily in its communications infrastructure, and continues to do so, under the auspices of its private IT sector and other partners, such as the Yangon City Development Committee.