Much of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated, with few transportation links and low levels of economic development.

[6] Until the British advancement in the region, independent city-states such as Ciimnuai (Chinwe/Chin Nwe) later shifted to Tedim and Vangteh in the north,[7] Tlaisun (also recorded as Tashon) and Rallang in the mid-land, and Hakha, Thantlang and Zokhua (Yokwa) in the south played important political role in securing peace of the region,[8] and each city-state practised its own independent sovereignty in their own rights.

Upon Burma's independence from the United Kingdom in 1948, the Chin Hills Special Division was created, with its capital at Falam.

Tens of thousands of Chin State residents have fled to neighboring Mizoram, India, and towns such as Thantlang were destroyed in the fighting.

The groups are reportedly funded by the Chin diaspora and by the National Unity Government of Myanmar, an opposition government-in-exile.

Ethnic groups in Chin State include Zo, Zomi, Laimi, K'Cho, Khumi, Asho.