In Myanmar, over 60% of the total population are women and children. The population is made up of the Bamar ethnic majority, who live mostly in the lowlands and central part of the country, and some 135 different ethnic groups, mainly living in the highlands and eastern and western borders of Myanmar. More than 70% of the total population lives in rural areas. The lowland delta and central dry zone are highly populated areas. In 2003, the MOH estimated a crude birth rate of 24 live births per 1,000 populations in urban areas, and 26 per 1,000 in rural areas. Intense efforts have been instigated to improve maternal and newborn health (MNH) services. Various activities have been implemented, with particular emphasis on improving essential obstetric care and post-abortion care. Although there have been significant improvements in quality of MNH service delivery, current estimates indicate that maternal mortality ratio has not declined to the levels anticipated.