Crime and Pollution in Yangon

Crime Data in Yangon

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Yangon experiences moderate crime levels. Although some residents express concerns about crime, particularly regarding its potential increase, others feel relatively safe during the day.

Safety concerns vary significantly between day and night, with a noticeable decrease in the perceived safety of walking alone at night.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes such as theft and home break-ins are not the most significant concern for Yangon residents, with the public showing relatively low anxiety towards these issues.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related issues continue to be a concern in Yangon, impacting the community’s overall perception of safety and highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
• Violent Crimes - Concerns about violent crimes, while not at the forefront, still exist among residents. Issues such as physical assault and robbery are less prominent but contribute to worries about public safety.
• Public Safety - Yangon residents generally feel safe during the daylight, attributing this to community vigilance and strong social networks. However, nighttime safety is a significant concern for many.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - There is a rising perception that crime is increasing in Yangon. This stems from fears about social instability and increased drug activity, underscoring a need for effective law enforcement responses.
• Specific Fears - There are moderate concerns around specific crimes such as theft and the societal impact of drugs. Additionally, some residents fear being targeted based on ethnicity or religion.

Summary of Crime in Yangon

Yangon has made efforts to maintain control over violent crime, but the perception of rising crime rates remains. Ongoing community support and enhanced policing are essential to improve the feeling of security across the city.

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

Yangon faces substantial challenges with its air quality, heavily influenced by urbanization and vehicular emissions. Residents express significant concern over the air quality, citing potential health risks.

The air quality in Yangon is considered poor, with little improvement in particulate matter levels such as PM2.5 and PM10.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - The PM2.5 levels, although not explicitly reported in risky zones, remain a concern for public health, affecting sensitive populations and contributing to long-term health issues.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - Similarly, PM10 levels continue to contribute to the city's air pollution problems, with urban activities exacerbating the situation.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Garbage disposal issues are highly concerning in Yangon, with inefficiencies in waste management leading to public dissatisfaction and areas of the city seeing significant cleanliness problems.

Noise and light pollution, though less problematic, continue to affect certain urban areas due to high traffic and industrial activities.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - The management of waste in Yangon is poor, with many residents dissatisfied with the current systems in place, impacting the city's overall cleanliness and livability.
• Noise and Light Pollution - While noise and light pollution are less severe compared to waste issues, they still pose challenges in more densely populated or industrial areas.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Green spaces in Yangon are unfortunately underappreciated, with fewer parks and recreational areas available, leading to negative public sentiment regarding environmental health.

The quality of drinking water is of mixed opinion, with concerns over both accessibility and safety reflecting in public dissatisfaction.

• Green and Parks Quality - Public perception of parks and green spaces in Yangon is low, with limited access to well-maintained recreational areas contributing to a decrease in quality of life.
• Drinking Water Quality - Drinking water accessibility and quality are concerns among Yangon residents, reflecting a need for improved infrastructure and safety assurances in water distribution.

Pollution Rankings

Yangon ranks 1st on the Pollution rankings in Myanmar. The pollution ranking for Myanmar is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Yangon

Myanmar