Burmese Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Myanmar, also known as Burma, lies in South-East Asia between India, China and Thailand. It is a deeply Buddhist country of golden pagodas and many ethnic groups, including Bamar, Karen, Chin and Kachin peoples. Burmese people in Birmingham include doctors, professionals, students and families who have sought safety from conflict.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 102 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Myanmar or Burmese.

Working for Birmingham

Burmese doctors have a long history of working in the NHS, and members of the community also work in nursing, engineering, catering and business. Newer arrivals, including people from Myanmar's ethnic minorities, are learning English, training and building new careers in the city.

The city's future rests on the same things as its past: skills, enterprise and people willing to put in the hours. Whether in a hospital, a classroom, a lecture theatre, a van full of tools or a shop on a busy high street, Burmese residents are helping to build that future, and to make Birmingham a stronger, fairer and more welcoming city.

Culture and community life

The Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda in Edgbaston, built by the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, is a striking golden pagoda in the Burmese style and a place of calm for visitors of every faith. Thingyan, the water festival that marks the Burmese new year in April, and mohinga fish noodle soup are treasured traditions.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Burmese community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.