Improvement in human capital is essential for rapid, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth in
Myanmar. Investments in health and education—including technical and vocational education and
training—are essential to engineer a productive labor force that can contribute to and benefit from
growth opportunities, while equipping the country’s young population to participate in the country’s
dramatic socioeconomic transformation. This paper focuses on developing human capital, with an
emphasis on health and education in the context of employment growth and an employment-enabling
environment. While awaiting the release of up-to-date data and the outcome of broad ongoing
legislative reforms, the paper draws on extensive analysis of available data, including the Integrated
Household Living Condition Survey 2009–2010, nationally led assessments, and consultations with
the government and a variety of stakeholders to provide a snapshot of important recent developments
that are helping to shape the transformation.