Measure
Annual changes
Lost 0.2 points (−2% change) in overall score in 2020.
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Analysis
Myanmar is a minor power in Asia.
The country’s overall score declined by 0.2 points compared to 2019.
Myanmar performs best in the cultural influence measure, where it places 16th. Its lowest ranking is in the defence networks measure, coming in at 25th place.
In 2020, Myanmar saw its greatest improvement in diplomatic influence, where it moved up three places, following a diplomatic low in 2019 as a result of the Rohingya crisis in the west of the country. However, Naypyidaw has slipped two places in the defence networks measure, with the country largely left out of emerging regional defence partnerships.
Myanmar exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s negative power gap score. While Myanmar is a net underachiever in Asia, its negative power gap improved in 2020.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
20th
8.7
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
22nd
— 1.7
Military capability
Conventional military strength
17th
10.6
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
24th
18.1
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
18th
— 4.1
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
17th
— 6.7
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
25th −2
— 2.3
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
18th +3
24.0
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
16th +2
6.8