Analyzing gaps between development indicators and on the ground realities in Myanmar based on the 2025 sustainable development report

Abstract Background Myanmar’s early progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), initiated under its democratic government in 2015, has been severely disrupted by the post-2021 civil conflict. The ongoing crisis has resulted in widespread infrastructure destruction, economic collapse, and mass internal displacement, generating profound humanitarian and socio-economic challenges. This study analyze the 2025 Sustainable Development Report (SDG Index and Dashboard) to assess whether the SDG progress reported for Myanmar aligns with conditions observed across conflict-affected areas. Methods A qualitative document analysis combined with targeted secondary data review was conducted to evaluate the reliability of SDG indicators reported as improving between 2019 and 2024. The assessment compared the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 with contextual evidence from peer-reviewed literature, international organizations, humanitarian agencies, NGOs, and reputable media sources that document on-ground realities in Myanmar. Results The 2025 SDR ranks Myanmar 116 out of 167 countries (Overall Score: 63.5; Spillover Index: 94.5) and reports moderate improvements in several indicators, including reductions in under-five and neonatal mortality, decreased scarcity-weighted water consumption, and increased access to electricity and financial services. However, triangulation with independent humanitarian, public health, and economic evidence reveals substantial discrepancies. Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar has faced escalating malnutrition, disrupted immunization services, collapse of essential healthcare, severe water shortages, mass displacement, loss of livelihoods, and significant deterioration in digital and energy infrastructure conditions not reflected in official SDG trend data. Conclusion These discrepancies expose fundamental limitations of standardized SDG monitoring frameworks in conflict-affected states. The collapse of Myanmar’s national statistical systems, political interference, and restricted data access undermine the credibility of administrative reporting. Conflict-sensitive indicators, independent data verification, and alternative measurement technologies are urgently needed to ensure accurate development monitoring and effective humanitarian resource allocation.