Value sales of cooking ingredients and meals are set to rise in 2025 driven by product innovation including new flavours and smaller pack sizes, urbanisation and population growth. Also important is retail footprint expansion, most notably in the convenience store format which is developing in regional cities and towns. On the other hand, this category is not immune to growth barriers due to macroenvironment factors created by the ongoing civil war.

Retail value sales of consumer health are set to rise in 2025 as households are increasingly opting for self-care and over the counter (OTC) medications for minor ailments. This is for reasons of convenience and cost-effectiveness as out-of-pocket expenses from visiting clinics and hospitals have significantly increased since the coup. Chained pharmacies are expanding to regional cities while retail e-commerce sales of consumer health products are also growing with some brands and products exclu

Myanmar’s real GDP growth slowed to 1.0% in 2024. Inflation surged to 28.7%, the highest in Asia Pacific, driven by housing, food, and transport costs. Recurrent natural disasters, including the 2025 earthquake and flooding, strained public finances. These pressures are compounded by the ongoing military conflict, which has deepened economic disruption, weakened investor confidence, and complicated the government’s ability to respond effectively to social and fiscal challenges.

Myanmar's economic environment has faced significant challenges, with declining rankings in economic, business, and labour freedom, and high corruption levels. Despite these hurdles, the country has seen modest 24.9% growth in new businesses and improvements in trade and financial freedom. Over 2024-2029, continued efforts to enhance regulatory clarity, infrastructure, and digitalisation are expected to foster economic resilience and attract more foreign investment.

In 2024, couples with children was the leading household type in Myanmar, with 40.6% of the total, reflecting traditional family values, though a shift towards smaller family units is evident, due to a declining birth rate and rising urbanisation. Single person households are forecast to grow by 30.6% over 2024-2029, driven by economic and cultural factors, while the average household size is predicted to shrink from 4.2 persons to 4.0. urbanisation, despite challenges like infrastructure gaps a

In 2024, Myanmar ranked 21st out of 22 Asia Pacific countries in terms of average gross income, despite a 3.3% increase in per capita disposable income. The government’s supplementary allowance and increasing labour productivity helped to mitigate inflation and living costs, but income inequality and gender disparities remain significant. Over the forecast period, per capita disposable income is projected to grow by 17.7%, with the 35-39 years age group expected to become the highest earners.

Dairy products and alternatives in Myanmar is projected to register moderate retail volume growth in 2025, with a slower increase than in 2024. Meanwhile, retail current value sales are expected to see dynamic growth in 2025, largely in line with the 2024 increment.

Snacks in Myanmar recorded conservative growth in 2025, supported by habitual consumption, product innovation, and expanding distribution. Many players introduced new offerings and extended their reach into underserved regions, helping to stabilise the category. However, overall growth was limited by adverse macroeconomic and political factors, including persistent inflation, declining household incomes, and ongoing political instability.

Total volume sales of alcoholic drinks rose significantly in Myanmar in 2024. Alcoholic drinks saw notable growth across categories in both off-trade and on-trade sales channels. However, inflation and currency exchange rate depreciation remained major barriers to further development during the year.

In 2024, Myanmar's tobacco industry recorded a positive overall performance in both volume and value terms. High prevalence of tobacco use remained a key growth driver, underpinned by habitual consumption patterns and relatively low barriers to access. Across the country, tobacco products remain widely available and affordable, with limited public health campaigns or government-backed cessation programmes in place to curb usage. The continuing absence of strong regulatory oversight or taxation r

Sales of beauty and personal care in Myanmar rose at a double-digit rate in 2024 in value terms and somewhat more moderately in volume terms. Inflationary pressures, a lingering consequence of the 2021 coup in Myanmar, persisted throughout 2024, with the Asian Development Bank forecasting around 20.7% inflation for the year. The Myanmar Kyat remained sharply depreciated against major currencies such as the US dollar, making imported goods more expensive and fuelling overall inflation.

The population of Myanmar is predicted to increase by 6.7%, due to changes in net migration and natural change, standing at a total of 58.2 million citizens by 2040. Demographic changes, economic conditions and social trends are all contributing to negative net migration. The birth rate is anticipated to drop between 2024 and 2040. Middle Youth (aged 30-44) will represent the largest portion of the population by 2040.

Inflationary pressures, a lingering consequence of the 2021 coup in Myanmar, continued to shape economic conditions in 2024. The Asian Development Bank forecasted inflation at approximately 20.7%, with the Myanmar Kyat experiencing sharp depreciation against major currencies such as the US dollar. This currency instability made imports more expensive, fuelling inflation and leading to price increases across multiple categories, including tissue and hygiene.

Economic freedom in Myanmar is classed as ‘repressed’, whilst the ongoing civil conflict is considerably reducing peace in the country. The economy is set to significantly underperform peers, as conflict rages on that is exacerbating inflation and negatively impacting trade. Emigration continues to be a challenge, as is increasing food insecurity, but population growth will somewhat support the consumer market. Internet use is below peers, but mobile adoption has resumed its upward trajectory.

Home care in Myanmar experienced slower retail volume and value sales growth in 2024. This deceleration is primarily attributed to the continuing internal conflict and macroeconomic instability, which have led to further retail price increases across all home care categories. These challenging circumstances have created significant hurdles for both established brands and companies attempting to enter the market. Consumer behaviour has been significantly impacted by the economic climate, with pri

In 2024, soft drink manufacturers in Myanmar have introduced low-volume pack sizes and low-cost product variants, alongside marketing initiatives such as price discounts and lucky draws, in an effort to sustain sales volumes amidst the continued decline in household income levels and consumer spending. These challenges have been exacerbated by inflationary pressures and the ongoing devaluation of the Myanmar currency, significantly impacting purchasing power.

Coffee, tea, and other hot drinks have maintained steady volume sales in Myanmar in 2024, given their status as daily essentials for the majority of consumers with regular consumption habits. However, category growth rates have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels due to the persistent challenges facing Myanmar's economy. In response to these difficulties, hot drinks players have introduced low-volume pack sizes and cost-effective product variants, while also employing marketing incentives to s

This report covers the retail sector in frontier markets in Southeast Asia. Euromonitor International’s definition of the region includes the following countries: Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Myanmar's post-coup economic crisis deepened in 2024 with prices of staple foods rising steeply due to a fall in Myanmar’s currency, product shortages and government mismanagement. In an effort to control prices, the military government introduced subsidies on rice, while cracking down on businesses, which led to even higher prices and greater volatility. As a result, sales of some staple foods contracted as household budgets tightened amidst declining income levels and rising prices.

Mandalay and Monywa are Myanmar’s most economically vibrant cities. Meanwhile, Yangon holds the highest potential for future economic growth. However, challenges for the country’s cities will persist in the near term due to the continuing global economic slowdown and the impact of tight financial conditions. In the longer run, Myanmar’s cities are set to face burdens on infrastructure, due to large and increasing populations.

Asia Pacific remained the largest global producer of food, beverages and tobacco in 2021, with sales valued at USD3,809 billion. With the release of pent-up demand, the industry’s turnover witnessed an increase in 2021. Going forward, expanding domestic markets and rising productivity are expected to stimulate the industry’s growth. However, with tightening global food supplies amid climate change and geopolitical conflicts, challenges persist, especially for major regional food importers.

With a turnover of USD365.8 billion in 2021, Asia Pacific was the world’s second largest region for recreation, entertainment and arts. Over the next decade, the region’s entertainment industry is poised to grow at the fastest rate, nearly closing the gap with Western European turnover levels by 2030. Recovering tourism, growing investments and economic expansion are set to drive the entertainment industry’s growth in Asia Pacific, with China remaining in the lead.

The report examines key factors in supply chain risks in metals, energy and agricultural commodities. Production, market supply concentration and political risks analysis can help to better identify potential risks and prepare for potential disruptions. The briefing also identifies key industrial sectors and countries that are most vulnerable to commodity supply disruptions.

Emerging Asia has been one of the most exciting regions in emerging markets during the last two decades and this trend is expected to continue, though the pace of growth has slowed down as the economies transform and mature. By 2040, emerging Asia will account for almost a third of global GDP and more than a quarter of consumer spending, highlighting huge opportunities for business and investors. Risks will remain, requiring business to be agile to identify sweet spots and overcome challenges.