Country Risk Report
Myanmar
Naypyidaw
Burmese (official) and many ethnic languages
Myanmar kyat (MMK)
Executive Summary
Myanmar is classified as an EXTREME risk destination and is engulfed in one of the world's most fragmented civil wars. Since the military coup of February 2021, the junta, known as the State Administration Council under Min Aung Hlaing, has fought a nationwide armed resistance made up of the National Unity Government's People's Defence Forces and numerous ethnic armed organisations. By 2025 the military controlled only around a fifth of the country's territory, while resistance and ethnic forces held far more, and over 15,000 people were killed in conflict that year. The military responds with widespread aerial and artillery attacks on civilians and infrastructure, aid blockades, and rolling internet and phone shutdowns. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar in March 2025, killing thousands. The junta held phased elections between December 2025 and January 2026, widely regarded as neither credible nor legitimate, and a new military-aligned government took over in 2026. Terrorism-style bombings, landmines, forced conscription, arbitrary detention, and pervasive scam-centre and narcotics economies compound the picture. In Rakhine State the Arakan Army has built a proto-state while Rohingya civilians remain subject to grave abuses. Cover is available on request only.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | Extreme | Nationwide civil war with the junta holding only part of the country; airstrikes and ground fighting widespread. |
| Terrorism | High | Bombings and targeted killings occur amid the conflict, alongside junta violence against civilians. |
| Kidnapping | High | Abduction, arbitrary detention, forced conscription and trafficking, including in scam centres. |
| Crime | High | Organised crime, scams and one of the world's largest narcotics economies. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Repressed dissent, protests and a violent security response. |
| Health & Medical | Extreme | Health system devastated and earthquake-hit. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | Extreme | Front lines, checkpoints, mines, shutdowns and damaged infrastructure make movement extremely dangerous. |
| Digital / Cyber | High | Surveillance, rolling shutdowns and device scrutiny in a repressive environment. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Myanmar is an active, fragmented war zone with no reliably safe area. The junta controls only part of the country, resistance and ethnic forces hold large areas, and military airstrikes, ground fighting, landmines and a devastated economy affect the population nationwide.
Yangon and the Central Lowlands
Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay
The Ethnic States (Shan, Kachin, Karenni, Karen)
Rakhine State
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
A nationwide civil war pits the junta against the People's Defence Forces and ethnic armed organisations. The military relies on airstrikes and artillery, including against civilians, and controls only part of the country while fighting on many fronts.
The central lowlands see bombings and repression rather than sustained front-line combat.
Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay are among the most intense conflict zones.
The ethnic states see large-scale fighting and shifting control.
Rakhine sees continued conflict around Arakan Army consolidation.
Terrorism
Bombings, targeted killings and attacks on informants and officials occur amid the conflict, and the military itself conducts unlawful attacks on civilians. Explosive devices are used widely by multiple actors.
Yangon and cities face bombings and targeted attacks.
The heartland conflict zones face widespread violence.
The ethnic states see attacks tied to the armed conflict.
Rakhine faces conflict-related violence.
Kidnapping and Detention
Arbitrary arrest and detention by the junta are widespread, forced conscription is a serious risk including for young men, and abduction and trafficking occur, notably into scam centres in border regions where foreigners have been held. Dual nationals and those with perceived affiliations are at particular risk.
The central lowlands carry a high risk of arbitrary arrest and conscription.
The heartland conflict zones carry detention and abduction risk.
The ethnic and border states carry trafficking and scam-centre risk.
Rakhine carries detention and abduction risk amid conflict.
Crime and Lawlessness
The collapse of the rule of law has fuelled organised crime, extortion and one of the world's largest narcotics economies, with Myanmar a top producer of opium and synthetic drugs. Scam centres and trafficking networks operate in border areas.
Yangon sees urban crime alongside repression.
The heartland sees crime amid conflict and displacement.
The ethnic and border states host narcotics and scam economies.
Rakhine sees crime tied to conflict and smuggling.
Internal Travel
Movement is extremely dangerous and constrained by front lines, checkpoints, landmines, damaged infrastructure and internet shutdowns. Roads cross contested territory, flights and telecoms can be cut, and earthquake damage has degraded routes in the centre.
Movement in the central lowlands is possible but subject to checkpoints and surveillance.
The heartland conflict zones are hazardous and earthquake-damaged.
The ethnic states cross shifting front lines and mined areas.
Rakhine has restricted and contested movement.
Health and Disease
The health system has been devastated by years of attacks on facilities and staff and by the 2025 earthquake, and the junta blocks aid to opposition areas. Serious cases require international evacuation, which is difficult from conflict zones.
Yangon has the best facilities, though limited and strained.
The heartland has minimal, earthquake-damaged provision.
The ethnic states have very limited services disrupted by conflict.
Rakhine has minimal services and blocked aid.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Myanmar is religiously and ethnically diverse, and identity is highly charged amid the conflict and the persecution of minorities including the Rohingya. Political topics are extremely dangerous, and travellers should be discreet, respect local customs and defer to trusted guidance.
The central lowlands are Buddhist-majority and politically repressive.
The heartland is scarred by conflict and displacement.
The ethnic states have distinct and sensitive identities.
Rakhine is defined by acute communal persecution.
LGBT Travellers
A colonial-era law criminalises same-sex sexual behaviour, and the collapse of the rule of law and the repressive environment heighten the risk. LGBT travellers should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
Myanmar has among the highest numbers of landmine casualties in the world, with contamination across conflict areas from state and non-state use, and it is worsening as the war continues. Travellers should stay strictly on established routes.
The central lowlands have localised contamination.
The heartland conflict zones are heavily affected.
The ethnic states have extensive, long-standing contamination.
Rakhine has significant contamination from ongoing conflict.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
The junta held phased elections in late 2025 and early 2026 that are widely regarded as neither credible nor legitimate, and a new military-aligned government took over in 2026. Western engagement is minimal, China is the dominant external actor, and consular support is limited. Aung San Suu Kyi and many elected leaders remain detained.
Naypyidaw and Yangon are the seats of junta authority.
The heartland is heavily contested.
The ethnic states are governed by ethnic administrations in many areas.
Rakhine is largely administered by the Arakan Army.
Digital and Cyber Threats
The junta imposes rolling internet and phone shutdowns, especially in conflict areas, and conducts surveillance and cross-border repression against activists. Device scrutiny occurs, and sensitive content or affiliations can trigger detention.
The central lowlands have monitored connectivity.
The heartland faces frequent shutdowns.
The ethnic states face shutdowns and disrupted connectivity.
Rakhine faces prolonged communications blackouts.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care and trauma risk.
- Japanese Encephalitis
Recommended for rural or prolonged travel.
- Poliomyelitis and Measles (MMR)
Recommended given disrupted immunisation.
- Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.
Other Health Hazards
- Malaria: Risk in rural and border areas, including drug-resistant strains. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
- Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene; waterborne illness is common.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is minimal outside major cities. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Earthquake risk: Central Myanmar is seismically active; prepare a response plan.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Myanmar. Cover is available on request only and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Policies may exclude conflict states and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Junta, resistance and ethnic forces operate different checkpoints with different rules. Junta checkpoints carry a forced-conscription risk for young men, including dual nationals. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph military, checkpoints or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
The junta arbitrarily detains foreigners, activists and those with perceived affiliations. Foreigners have been trafficked and held in border scam centres. Most incidents occur in transit and at checkpoints or front lines. Cross-border digital surveillance targets activists and their contacts.High-Risk Travellers
Leisure travellers have no support structure in an active war. Journalists and activists are specifically targeted for detention and repression. Young men and dual nationals face conscription and detention risk. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage front-line, mine and shutdown conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Carry original documents at all times. Take prophylaxis and carry bite-avoidance measures for malaria.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Plan for rolling internet and phone blackouts. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid conflict zones across Sagaing, Magway, the ethnic states and Rakhine. Identify hardened shelter and plan around aerial attacks. Stay strictly on established routes due to landmines. Expect junta, resistance and ethnic checkpoints.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Be discreet and respect local customs; identity is highly charged. Avoid all political discussion, which is extremely dangerous. Never photograph military or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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