A growing number of Mon youth are leaving their hometowns to pursue education and employment opportunities abroad, raising concerns over labor shortages, demographic changes, and the long-term future of Mon communities.
Although labor migration has existed for decades, community members say the trend has accelerated since the 2021 military coup due to Myanmar’s political instability and the military junta’s enforcement of the conscription law.
A Mon politician said the continued outflow of local residents has created labor shortages across Mon areas, prompting employers to recruit workers from other parts of Myanmar.
“People have long gone to work in neighboring countries, creating labor shortages in our communities,” he said. “Workers from regions such as Bago and Ayeyarwady have moved in to fill those jobs. In some areas, this has reduced the demographic presence of the Mon population. From the perspective of the Mon community, it is a serious concern.”
Community members said limited employment opportunities and the military junta’s conscription law have encouraged many young people to leave, reducing the number of youth available to participate in community welfare and local development activities.
A Mon youth from Ye Township said many villages are now populated mainly by school-aged children and older people.
“There are fewer young people to contribute to community welfare and development,” he said. “Many villages are now made up mostly of children and elderly residents. Workers from other regions are settling in Mon areas, leading to greater population mixing and increasing Burmanization. More Burmese-speaking neighborhoods are emerging in Mon villages, and the Burmese language is becoming more dominant.”
He added that migrant workers who reside in an area for several months can apply for household registration and eventually obtain voting rights, which he believes could weaken the political representation of the local Mon population.
He also expressed concern that newcomers could eventually vote in or contest local administrative positions, while increased migration could contribute to greater use of the Burmese language, more intermarriage, and the gradual decline of the Mon language.
The Mon politician said overseas migration has become increasingly common since the political upheaval of 1988.
“People migrate because of economic conditions, and the economy depends on politics,” he said. “If the political situation is stable, the economy improves. A stronger economy creates jobs, attracts investment and brings factories. Since the aftermath of the 1988 political crisis, working abroad has become almost a tradition. Once young people reach working age, many see their future outside the country.”
Workers from outside Mon State are mainly employed in rubber plantations, salt production, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and the construction sector, according to local sources.
During the military junta’s 2025–2026 election, the Mon Unity Party (MUP) contested only selected constituencies in Mon State where it believed it had stronger electoral support, rather than fielding candidates across all townships.
Another Mon youth from Ye Township said education has also become a major factor driving migration.
“Many Mon university graduates want to work abroad,” he said. “After graduation, many plan to study foreign languages, find jobs overseas, earn higher incomes, save money and build a better life. Very few consider joining civil society organizations, entering politics or becoming involved with political parties.”
Local youth said hundreds of Mon students have left the country to pursue education rather than employment. However, because many fall within the age group covered by the military junta’s conscription law, it remains uncertain whether they will return home.
While some Mon youth have joined social organizations, political groups and revolutionary organizations, many others have chosen to pursue educational and economic opportunities abroad.
Youth representatives said the continuing departure of young people poses a significant challenge for the future of Mon communities. However, they added that the trend could also bring long-term benefits if those who study or work overseas eventually return with new knowledge, skills and resources to contribute to the development of Mon areas.
