Myanmar population 51.5m, excluding 'Rohingya'

The number did not include over 1 million people in Rakhine State who self-identify themselves as Rohingya. But it included 1.2 million people estimated to live in unlisted areas in Rakhine, Kachin and Kayin states.

President U Thein Sein opened the event to launch the census today in the capital city. Over 1,000 guests attended, including chief ministers from all of the country's 15 states and regions, ethnic and religious leaders, international donors, and representatives of UN agencies, international NGOs, civil society organisations and the private sector.

Vijay Nambiar, the UN Special Adviser for Myanmar, hailed the census as a "monumental achievement" that will benefit both the country's development and its democratic process, despite challenges that need to be addressed.