Myanmar
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
4 / 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom
9 / 100
Not Free
Myanmar’s already-stalled democratic transition was derailed in February 2021, when the military seized control of the government. Protesters, journalists, activists, and ordinary people risk criminal charges, detention, and lethal violence for voicing dissent against the military. Millions of people remain displaced or have been newly displaced by violence, including hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority
Research & Recommendations
Myanmar
Not Free
4
100
| PR Political Rights | -2 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 6 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
7
100
Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Military commanders seized control of Myanmar’s government in February 2021, ending a period of power sharing between military and civilian leaders under a 2008 constitution that had been drafted by a previous junta. Since the coup, the military has violently suppressed peaceful civic dissent and battled a sizable armed resistance movement that has widespread popular support and includes militias associated with various ethnic minority groups. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which led the civilian government before the coup and won a sweeping victory in the November 2020 elections, serves as the political backbone of a self-declared National Unity Government (NUG). Armed resistance groups with ties to the NUG exercise partial or effective control over a swathe of territory outside major population centers. Millions of people remain displaced or have been newly displaced by the ongoing civil war, with many seeking refuge abroad.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Myanmar
Not Free
9
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 2 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 5 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 2 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
9
100
Not Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Myanmar remained one of the world’s worst environments for internet freedom. Telecommunications infrastructure continued to sustain damage amid the nationwide conflict that erupted after the military ousted the elected government in a 2021 coup. The military retained direct and indirect control over all major service providers, enabling mass censorship and surveillance. Sham elections held during the coverage period featured increased blocking of news sites, social media platforms, and anticensorship tools, while the military imposed localized internet shutdowns and arrested and imprisoned people for online expression under a new election law.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
4
/ 100
Not Free
Freedom on the Net Score
9
/ 100
Not Free
Population: 54,180,000
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
November 8, 2020
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
34.84%
Election Year
2020
Vulnerability Index
35
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
