Myanmar Info Blog

Myanmar is ethnically diverse. The dominant ethnic group are the Bamar who speak Burmese. 10% of the population are Shan, who speak Shan dialects, related to Lao and Thai. The Karen (Kayin) make up 7% of the population, and speak languages distantly related to Burmese. The remainder are Rakhine (Arakanese), Kachin, Chin, Chinese, Mon, and Indian. There is a small Eurasian community consisting of Anglo-Burmese and Anglo-Indians (collectively known as ka-bya), but it has largely assimilated to the Bamar and Indian communities.

Burmese is the official language of Myanmar. Minorities often speak Burmese as a second language, while the Bamar commonly speak English as a second language.

Buddhism, particularly Theravada Buddhism is practised by 89% of the population, mostly among the Bamar (and Rakhine), Shan, Mon, and Chinese. Christianity practiced by 4% of the population, and is dominant among the Chin and Karen. 4% of the population practise Islam, mostly among overseas Indians. Small segments of the population practise Hinduism or animism.

Read more about Myanmar at WikiPedia