Survey Reports Deep Insecurity Among Yangon Youth Amid Rising Forced Military Conscription

What happened

The civil rights monitoring group PACE-Myanmar reports that a recent face-to-face survey with 2,400 young residents of Yangon reveals acute insecurity among youth aged 18 to 25. According to the study titled "Youth Resilience and Future Hopes," nine out of ten respondents expressed serious fears about leaving their homes at night due to threats including arbitrary arrest, robbery, and physical violence.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The survey shows that 45 percent of youth described feeling "extremely concerned" when outdoors after dark, with another 44 percent "somewhat concerned," while only one percent felt completely safe. Importantly, safety concerns extend into youths’ own homes at all hours, signifying deep erosion of personal security under the military regime.

Nearly 80 percent of respondents reported worries about life-threatening physical violence or sexual assault, indicating widespread anxiety beyond mere crime. The findings also highlight the impact of the junta’s conscription law, in force since February 2024 for males aged 18 to 35 and females aged 18 to 27; 42 percent of survey participants cited forced enlistment as a key barrier to personal and professional aspirations.

Known from the source

• PACE-Myanmar conducted a face-to-face survey of 2,400 young residents in Yangon.
• The survey covers youth aged 18 to 25.
• Nine out of ten youth reported fear of leaving home at night due to arbitrary arrest, robbery, and physical violence.
• 45% of respondents said they were ‘extremely concerned’ outdoors after dark; 44% ‘somewhat concerned’; only 1% felt completely safe.
• Nearly 80% expressed fear of life-threatening physical violence or sexual assault.

What remains unclear

Beyond physical threats and conscription, the study notes pervasive financial hardship, diminishing job prospects, and falling social trust within Yangon’s urban communities. These factors compound civilian distress under a climate of political repression and instability, elements confirmed within the context of the DVB reporting.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify PACE-Myanmar’s survey details directly from the original report or statement. Confirm the exact wording and context for fears of physical violence and sexual assault. Check details and enforcement status of the 2024 conscription law as cited in the survey.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.