Natural resources and agriculture form a strong base of the Burmese economy. Major export commodities include clothing, wood products, natural gas, gems, rice, and beans. Manufacturing represents only a 20.3% share of the labour force, largely due to underdeveloped technological know-how and inadequate infrastructure. This sector is expected to rise as Myanmar’s economy continues to recover from conflict-based stagnation.
An estimated 32% of the population live under the $US 1/ day poverty line. Large disparities become apparent when this figure is disaggregated by location, as poverty is almost doubly prevalent in rural areas than urban. Boarder areas, which are heavily populated by ethnic minorities were worst effected by militia and consequently continue to carry a heavier burden of impoverishment.