Chin State

Chin State is a special area in western Myanmar. It is next to Sagaing Division, Magway Division, and Rakhine State on one side, and to the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh and the Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur on the other side. The capital city of Chin State is called Hakha.

The area is named after the Chin people, many different groups who have lived there for a long time. Most people in Chin State follow the Christian faith, which makes it special because it is the only part of Myanmar where most people believe in Christianity.

The land in Chin State is mostly mountains, and not many people live there. There are also not many roads or ways to travel, so it can be hard to get around. Because of this, many people in Chin State live with very little money, and it has the highest rate of poverty in all of Myanmar.

History

Early history

Main article: Chin chieftainship

Chin State is located in the hilly area of the Chin Hills. For a long time, it was far away from big powers like the kingdoms in Burma to the east and states in India to the west. Before the British came, different city-states such as Ciimnuai, Tedim, and Hakha were important for keeping peace in the area. Each city-state ruled itself.

The people of Chin State used to follow their own beliefs, often called animism. Later, Catholic and Protestant teachers came in the late 1800s and many people changed their beliefs.

20th century

When Burma became free from the United Kingdom in 1948, a special area called the Chin Hills Special Division was made, with its capital at Falam. Later, Hakha became the capital. Some areas that are now part of Chin State used to belong to other places until 1974, when Chin State became an official state.

"Chin National Day" is celebrated on 20 February to remember a big meeting held in 1948. The first celebration happened in 1951, but the government of Myanmar only recognized it in the 2010s.

Myanmar civil war

Main article: Chin theater

Chin State has been affected by the Myanmar civil war since it started in 2021. Many people from Chin State have had to leave their homes and go to places like Mizoram in India. Some towns, such as Thantlang, were damaged in the fighting. New groups have formed to protect the people, and they get help from people living outside Myanmar and the National Unity Government of Myanmar.

In December 2023, the Chin National Front created a constitution for a place called Chinland. However, people from five areas in Chin State did not agree with this constitution.

By November 2025, groups fighting for Chin people controlled most of Chin State, including many of its towns.

Administrative divisions

• Falam District Northern Chin State
  • Falam Township
  • Tedim Township
  • Tonzang Township
• Hakha District of Central Chin State
  • Hakha Township
  • Thantlang Township
• Matupi District of Central and Southwestern Chin State
  • Matupi Township
  • Rezua Sub-township
  • Paletwa Township
• Mindat District of Southeastern Chin State
  • Mindat Township
  • Kanpetlet Township

Hakha District was created on June 1st. Matupi District was created by a meeting on June 28, 2017.

Government

Economy

Chin State has very little infrastructure and is still developing. More than 70% of the people there live in poverty. According to UNICEF, about one in ten children may not live to see their fifth birthday.

Farming is very important for the people of Chin State. Many grow just enough food to feed their families, with crops like rice, maize, and millet. Some families are starting to grow vegetables and other crops like coffee and avocado to sell for money. Chin State grows the most konjac in Myanmar, making more than 250,000 tonnes each year. Some people also make a living by trading cattle and goods with neighbors in Mizoram, India.

Demographics

Ethnic makeup

The Chin peoples are the largest group in Chin State, with smaller numbers of Rakhine and Bamar people. There are many tribes in the state, each with its own language and culture. Some tribes are called Zo, Zomi, Zotung, Laimi, K'Cho, Khumi, Daai, and Asho.

After the 2014 Census in Myanmar, detailed information about the different groups of people was not shared because of concerns. In 2022, researchers looked at reports to learn more about the groups living in Chin State.

As of February 2024, the United Nations estimates that 60,000 Chin people have moved to the Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, and another 61,000 are still away from their homes after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.

Religion

Religion in Chin (2014)

1. Christianity (85.4%)
2. Buddhism (13.0%)
3. Tribal (Animism) (0.40%)
4. Hinduism (0.02%)
5. Islam (0.10%)
6. Others (1.10%)

According to the 2014 Myanmar Census, most people in Chin State are Christians, making up 85.4% of the population. Other groups include Buddhists (13.0%), Muslims (0.1%), Hindus (0.02%), and Animists and other religions (~1.5%). Chin State is the only state in Myanmar where most people are Christian.

Education

See also: List of universities in Chin State

Education in Chin State has many difficulties. Many schools do not have enough books, boards, markers, pencils, tables, or chairs. Since the 1990s, teaching the local Chin languages as a separate subject has not been allowed in primary schools. Only about 5.5% of young people in Chin State manage to finish their grade 10 exams. In 2003, there were 25 high schools in the state.

• Bethel Bible College in Tedim Township
• Chin Christian College in Hakha Township
• Zomi Theological College in Falam, Falam Township