Yangon, Myanmar

Capital City

Living in Yangon is a daily grind of decaying infrastructure and chronic power shortages. With a population of 6.87 million, the city is Myanmar's largest, but its public services have not kept pace - just 849 kyats (US$0.85) is spent per person on healthcare. The colonial-era architecture is crumbling, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with buildings over 50 years old requiring approval before demolition. Yangon's tropical monsoon climate also brings the constant threat of cyclones, like 2008's devastating Cyclone Nargis. This bustling commercial hub is best suited for hardy expats and locals able to navigate its challenges - the city is not for the faint of heart.