Despite having abundant natural resources such as a vast oil and gas deposits, Rakhine State has the lowest workforce and the highest unemployment rate among all other states and regions in Myanmar, according to an investment opportunity survey for the state.

In the whole country, 67 percent of the population works and the unemployment rate is just 3.9 percent.

However, in Rakhine State, working class represents only 52.6 percent while unemployment rate is 10.4 percent.

Of all the states and regions, Shan State has the largest workforce with 75.9 percent and the lowest employment rate with just over 2 percent.

Rakhine State is indeed blessed with natural resources such as oil and natural gas. With its deep-sea ports, the coastal state has good prospect for economic development.

Rakhine State has a population of about 3.22 million with over 84 percent in rural areas and 16 percent in urban areas.

It is a least-developed state in Myanmar with 70 percent of the population living on agricultural businesses. Its fishery industry is the second largest economic sector.

The survey points out that Rakhine State abounds with wide varieties of fish. It has many opportunities to launch fish and prawn farms along the coastal area.

As local fishermen still uses conventional methods, the state's fishery production is 80 percent lower than Ayawady and Taninthayi regions.

Rakhine State could not have developed as much as it should because of its inability to effectively grab the chances to tap natural resources, said State Chief Minister Nyi Pu at a commemorative dinner for the Rakhine State Investment Fair on February 21.

He added  that such development efforts could not be exerted by his government alone.