Buddhism still dominant in Myanmar

According to a report, Muslim population constitutes 4.3 per cent with the addition of an estimated 1.09 million Muslims in Rakhine State, compared to 3.9 per cent in the census conducted in 1973 and 1983. 

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population's report on religion was released subsequently to the 2014 census.

The 1.09 million Muslim reportedly "refused" to be added to the 2014 census. 

Of the 51 million population, Buddhists make up 87.9 per cent, Christians 6.2 per cent, Hindus 0.5 per cent, animists 0.8 per cent and atheists 0.1 per cent. 

Buddhists represented 88.8 per cent of the population in 1973, 89.4 per cent in 1983 and 87.9 per cent in 2014. Christians made up 4.6 per cent in 1973, 4.9 per cent in 1983 and 6.4 per cent in 2014. 

"Some raised concern over the release of those figures. They feared that there might be significant changes in religious faith. According to the correct data on the ground, which was recognised by the international community, the census now is not much different from that in 1983. Religious leaders also accepted the figures," said minister Thein Swe. 

Other residents who were left off the 2014 census were 69,800 in Kayin State and 46,600 in Kachin State, who, along with the Rakhine Muslims, account for 2.3 per cent of the total.  

The minister said Rakhine State residents who missed out on the census were believed to be Muslim.