Myanmar has 7 states, which together with 7 regions make up the country's 14 primary administrative divisions. The seven states are Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan. States and regions sit at exactly the same level of government, but the distinction between them is rooted in ethnicity: states are named for and largely associated with major non-Bamar ethnic groups, while regions are predominantly inhabited by the Bamar (Burmese) majority who form the country's central population.
The 7 States of Myanmar
Each of Myanmar's states is historically and culturally tied to one of the country's ethnic minorities, and most of them ring the central lowlands as a horseshoe of highlands and coastlines. Here is the complete list, with the group each is most associated with and where it sits on the map:
- Chin State — home to the Chin people, in the mountainous northwest bordering India. Its capital is Hakha, and it is one of the least densely populated and most rugged parts of the country.
- Kachin State — the Kachin people, in the far north against China and India. Its capital, Myitkyina, lies near the headwaters of the Ayeyarwady River, and the state is known for jade mining.
- Kayah State — the Karenni (Kayah) people; the smallest state by area, with its capital at Loikaw.
- Kayin State — the Karen (Kayin) people, along the Thai border in the southeast, with its capital at Hpa-An.
- Mon State — the Mon people, on the southern Gulf of Martaban coast; its capital is Mawlamyine, once a major colonial port.
- Rakhine State — the Rakhine people, on the western Bay of Bengal coast, with its capital at Sittwe.
- Shan State — the Shan people; by far the largest state in area, with its capital at Taunggyi on the eastern plateau.
States Versus Regions
Myanmar's 7 regions (formerly called divisions until a 2008 constitutional change) are Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, and Yangon. These lie in the central lowlands and river deltas where the Bamar majority is concentrated. Constitutionally, states and regions have identical status and powers — the only difference is the historical ethnic association behind the naming.
This dual system reflects Myanmar's remarkable diversity: the country officially recognizes 135 ethnic groups, and the ethnic states encircle the central Bamar heartland. In addition to the 14 states and regions, the constitution also recognizes one Union Territory (Naypyidaw, the capital) and several self-administered zones and divisions for smaller ethnic groups such as the Wa, Pa-O, Danu, Naga, and Kokang. The Wa Self-Administered Division, in particular, functions with a high degree of independence from the central government.
The Largest and Most Populated
Among the states, Shan State is by far the largest by area, covering roughly 155,000 square kilometres — nearly a quarter of Myanmar's entire territory and bigger than many sovereign countries. It sprawls across the eastern plateau bordering China, Laos, and Thailand, a strategic location that has shaped much of its history. At the other extreme, Kayah State is the smallest of the seven, both in land area and population.
By population, none of the states rivals the central regions. The most populous division overall is Yangon Region, anchored by Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar's largest city and former capital, which is home to several million people. Mandalay Region and the densely farmed Ayeyarwady Region also hold large populations. Among the states themselves, Shan and Rakhine are the most populous, while Chin and Kayah are the least.
Key Facts
- Number of states: 7 (Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan)
- Number of regions: 7 (Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon)
- Total primary divisions: 14, plus 1 Union Territory (Naypyidaw)
- Largest state by area: Shan State (~155,000 sq km)
- Smallest state: Kayah State
- Capital city: Naypyidaw (since 2005)
- Recognized ethnic groups: 135 official groups
How the System Developed
Myanmar's administrative map has shifted many times. Under British colonial rule, the country was governed as "Ministerial Burma" in the centre and the more autonomous "Frontier Areas" in the ethnic highlands. After independence in 1948, the 1947 constitution created several ethnic states with varying degrees of autonomy. The structure was reorganized under the 1974 constitution, which established the 7 states and 7 divisions framework that endures today. The 2008 constitution renamed "divisions" as "regions" and formally recognized the Naypyidaw Union Territory after the capital was moved there in 2005. Today Myanmar is officially a union, and the relationship between the central government and the ethnic states remains central to the country's long-running political conflicts and ceasefire negotiations.
Geography Behind the Divisions
The placement of states and regions closely follows Myanmar's physical geography. The ethnic states occupy the rugged frontier: the Chin Hills and Kachin mountains in the north and west, the Shan Plateau in the east, and the long coastal strips of Rakhine, Mon, and Kayin. Myanmar's highest peak, Hkakabo Razi in Kachin State, rises above 5,800 metres near the Tibetan frontier. The Bamar-majority regions fill the fertile central basin drained by the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, the agricultural heart that produces much of the nation's rice. This geographic logic is why the names of divisions so often echo rivers, peoples, and landscapes. For a fuller overview of the country's land, climate, and culture, see our Myanmar country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states and regions does Myanmar have in total?
Myanmar has 14 primary administrative divisions: 7 states and 7 regions. There is also one Union Territory (Naypyidaw) plus several self-administered zones and divisions for smaller ethnic groups such as the Wa and Pa-O.
What is the difference between a state and a region in Myanmar?
They share identical constitutional status and powers. The difference is historical and ethnic: states are associated with major non-Bamar groups (such as the Shan, Kachin, or Karen), while regions are predominantly inhabited by the Bamar majority.
Which is the largest state in Myanmar?
Shan State is the largest by area, covering around 155,000 square kilometres — roughly a quarter of the country. Kayah State is the smallest of the seven, in both land area and population.
What is the capital of Myanmar?
Naypyidaw has been the capital since 2005, when the government relocated it from Yangon. Yangon remains the largest city and commercial centre of the country.
