The Population In 2014, the first official census since 1983 was conducted. It included nearly 98% of the population including populations and people who had never before been counted in an official census. There are 51,486,253 people living in Burma. This includes the 1,206,353 people who were not enumerated in the census.They come from areas within Rakhine, Kachin, and Karen States. Reasons for this include self-identifying as an ethnic group not recognized by the government (Rohingya Muslims) and living near areas with actual or potential armed conflict. Burma had over 135 nationally recognized ethnic groups making it one of the most diverse countries in Asia. Burmar make up almost ⅔ of the population, and other ethnic groups (including Shans, Karens, Mon, Arakan, Chin and Kachins) add up to some 30%. Ethnic minorities are dominant in border and mountainous areas including: Shan in the north and northeast (Thai and Laos borders), Karen in the southeast (Thai borde...