The estimated population of Sagaing Division in 1996 was over five million. Average density of the division is 139 persons per square mile. Population is dense in the lower regions of Chindwin and Mu rivers where there are many plains and sparse in mountail1ous north-west regions. Bamars are the majority of inhabitants in the dry regions, Katha Township and the regions along Mandalay-Myitkyina Railroad. Shans live in upper Chindwin valley, Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu townships. Nagas reside in the north of north-west mountain ranges and Chins in the south. Kadu and Ganang national races can be found at upper Mu River valley and Meza River Valley.

The estimated population of Sagaing Division in 1996 was over five million. Average density of the division is 139 persons per square mile. Population is dense in the lower regions of Chindwin and Mu rivers where there are many plains and sparse in mountail1ous north-west regions. Bamars are the majority of inhabitants in the dry regions, Katha Township and the regions along Mandalay-Myitkyina Railroad. Shans live in upper Chindwin valley, Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu townships. Nagas reside in the north of north-west mountain ranges and Chins in the south. Kadu and Ganang national races can be found at upper Mu River valley and Meza River Valley.

Formation of districts, townships and villages

Sagaing Division is formed with 198 wards and village-tracts, 38 townships and eight districts-Sagaing, Shwebo, Monywa, Katha, Kale, Tamu, Mawlaik and Hkamti. Sagaing is the capital of the division.

Sown acreage and agricultural produce

 Major crops of the division are rice, wheat, corn, maize,  edible oil crops such as sesame, groundnut and sunflower, cotton. sugarcane and beans and pulses. Over one million acres are being put under paddy in the Division annually. Eighty percent of the nation's wheat comes from Sagaing Division. Tobacco, tomato, toddy palm, and vegetables are also grown in the Division. Small amount of land is put under green tea at mountain regions in the north.

Sagaing Division has a total cultivated area of over three million acres. Paddy is cultivated on 1.4 million acres and other crops on 1.5 million acres. Others are alluvial-land cultivation, garden -farms and hillside cultivation. Water is supplied from canals, lakes, tube-wells and pumped-water stations.

Kabo Dam irrigates over three million acres in Shwebo plain. Mu River Valley Project is being implemented at present and when completed the project will help extend cultivated areas and multiple cropping in the Division. Livestock breeding is carried out jointly with agriculture.

Other products

 The Division produces teak and hardwood from its forests. Monywa and Katha are important timber depots. Thanakha, eaglewood, honey, catechu, rattan and bamboo are extracted from forests. 

Important minerals of the Division are gold mined at Kyaukpahto region, Kawlin Township, coal mined at Kalewa (Thitchauk) region and Monywa. A small amount of oil is found at Pantha and Inndaw regions at Chindwin River valley. Salt is produced in Wetlet and Sagaing township.

Heavy industries in the Division are the Textile Mill at Ywathitgyi and the Diesel Engine Workshop at Ywahtaung. A copper refinery is located in Salingyi and a gold smelting plant at Kyaukpahto region in Kawlin. The Division has many rice mills, edible oil mills, saw mills, cotton mills, gram crushing mills and weaving factories. Large mechanized weaving mills can be found in Monywa. Earthen pots are produced in Kyaukmyaung and Sagaing. silverware is made in Ywahtaung, bronze-wares and iron-wares are produced in Monywaekyemon and lacquer-ware in Kyaukka.

Traditions and culture

The traditional rice donation ceremony was held on a grand-scale at Padamya Pagoda annually. The traditional rice donation ceremony was held on a grand-scale at Padamya Pagoda annually.

Historical sites and places of interest

Ancient palace site of King Alaungmintaya is being excavated in Shwebo Township. Twindaung in Budalin Township is a rare and significant place in the world. Twindaung yields blue green algae from which Pluvimin is produced.

TV re-transmission stations

TV retransmission stations, which cover 41 townships in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions, were installed in 15 townships--Sagaing,  Monywa, Hkamti, Tamu, Katha, Htigyaint. Inndaw, Kawlin, Wuntho, Mintha, Leshi, Homalin, Nangyun, Lahe and Kantbalu in Sagaing Division.