Macau

Portuguese ships began arriving in 1513. In the 1550s, Portuguese paying tribute to China settled in Macau, which became the official entrepôt for all international trade with China and Japan and the first European settlement in the Far East. The first governor was appointed in the 17th century, but the Portuguese remained largely under the control of the Chinese. In the 1930s and ’40s Macau was declared a neutral territory during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II and became a refuge for both Chinese and Europeans. Portugal officially made Macau an overseas province in 1951.

In April 1987, Portugal and China reached an agreement to return Macau to Chinese rule in 1999, using the Hong Kong Joint Declaration between China and the UK as a model. In this agreement, China promised that, under its “one country, two systems” formula, China’s political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the next 50 years. However, after China’s multi-year crackdown against the pro-democracy movement in nearby Hong Kong, the governments of China and the Macau Special Administrative Region worked to limit Macau’s political autonomy by suppressing opposition activity in the 2021 legislative elections.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Geographic coordinates

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total : 28 sq km

land: 28.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 235

Area – comparative

less than one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 3 km

regional borders (1): China 3 km

Coastline

41 km

Maritime claims

not specified

Climate

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Terrain

generally flat

Elevation

highest point: Alto Coloane 172 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Natural resources

NEGL

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)

forest: 0% (2022 est.)

other: 100% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population fairly equally distributed

Natural hazards

typhoons

Geography – note

primarily urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km (2 sq mi) and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges

People and Society

Population

total: 644,426 (2024 est.)

male: 304,988

female: 339,438

comparison rankings: total 170; female 168; male 170

Nationality

noun: Chinese

adjective: Chinese

Ethnic groups

Chinese 89.4%, Chinese and Portuguese 1%, Portuguese 0.8%, Chinese and non-Portuguese 0.2%, Portuguese and others 0.2%, other 8.5% (2021 est.)

Languages

Cantonese 81%, Mandarin 4.7%, other Chinese dialects 5.4%, English 3.6%, Tagalog 2.9%, Portuguese 0.6%, other 1.8% (2021 est.)

major-language sample(s):

世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: Chinese and Portuguese are official languages; Macanese or Patua, a Portuguese-based Creole, is also spoken

Cantonese audio sample:

Religions

folk religion 58.9%, Buddhist 17.3%, Christian 7.2%, other 1.2%, none 15.4% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 47,346/female 45,216)

15-64 years: 69.9% (male 210,059/female 240,577)

65 years and over: 15.7% (2024 est.) (male 47,583/female 53,645)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 43 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 20.5 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 22.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 4.5 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 42.5 years (2024 est.)

male: 41.5 years

female: 43.1 years

comparison ranking: total 43

Population growth rate

0.67% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 132

Birth rate

8.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 204

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 197

Net migration rate

3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 35

Population distribution

population fairly equally distributed

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

682,000 Macau (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 183

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 85.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 82.5 years

female: 88.3 years

comparison ranking: total population 3

Total fertility rate

1.24 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 222

Gross reproduction rate

0.6 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.5% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

6.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 27

Literacy

total population: 97.1%

male: 98.5%

female: 95.9% (2021)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 18 years

male: 17 years

female: 19 years (2021)

Environment

Environment – current issues

air pollution; coastal water pollution; solid-waste disposal; noise pollution

Climate

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)

forest: 0% (2022 est.)

other: 100% (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 2.07 megatons (2016 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 377,942 tons (2016 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 75,588 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2014 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region

conventional short form: Macau

official long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese)/ Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)

official short form: Aomen (Chinese)/ Macau (Portuguese)

etymology: name derived from the Chinese ama-gao, or “Bay of Ama,” for Ama, the patron goddess of sailors

Government type

executive-led limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China

Dependency status

special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China

Administrative divisions

none (special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Portuguese model

Constitution

history: previous 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, under Portuguese authority); latest adopted 31 March 1993, effective 20 December 1999 (Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China serves as Macau’s constitution)

amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, and the Macau Special Administrative Region; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Assembly of Macau, approval by two thirds of Macau’s deputies to the NPC, and consent of the Macau chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC

Citizenship

see China

Suffrage

18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past 7 years; note – indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as “corporate voters” and an election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials

Executive branch

chief of state: President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013)

head of government: Chief Executive Sam Hou FAI (since 20 December 2024)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the chief executive

election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by National People’s Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); chief executive chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)

most recent election date: president: 10 March 2023

chief executive: 13 October 2024

election results:
2024: Sam Hou FAI (unopposed; received 394 out of 400 votes)

2019: HO lat Seng (unopposed; received 392 out of 400 votes)

expected date of next election: president: March 2028

chief executive: 2029

Legislative branch

legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 33 (14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected, 7 appointed)

electoral system: mixed

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 9/12/2021

parties elected and seats per party: United Citizens Association of Macau (ACUM) (3); Union for Development (UPD) (2); Macau-Guangdong Union (UGM) (2); Union for Promoting Progress (UPP) (2); Alliance for a Happy Home (ABL) (2); New Hope (NE) (2); Association of Synergy of Macau (PS) (1)

expected date of next election: September 2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the Macau chief executive upon the recommendation of an independent commission of judges, lawyers, and “eminent” persons; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts: Court of Second Instance; Court of First instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court

Political parties

Alliance for a Happy Home or ABL
Association of Synergy of Macau (“Synergy Power” or Poder da Singeria) or PS
Macau-Guangdong Union or UGM
New Hope or NE
Union for Development or UPD
Union for Promoting Progress or UPP or UNIPRO
United Citizens Association of Macau or ACUM

note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (Special Administrative Region of China)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau

International organization participation

ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO

Independence

none (special administrative region of China)

National holiday

National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note – 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Flag description

green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, under an arc of five five-pointed gold stars; the lotus is the national floral emblem, and the three petals represent the country’s peninsula and two islands; the five stars echo those on the Chinese flag

National symbol(s)

lotus blossom

National color(s)

green, white, yellow

National anthem

note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, “Yiyongjun Jinxingqu” is the official anthem (see China)

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, Chinese special administrative region economy; known for apparel exports and gambling tourism; currency pegged to Hong Kong dollar; significant recession due to 2015 Chinese anticorruption campaign; COVID-19 further halved economic activity

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$71.248 billion (2023 est.)
$40.699 billion (2022 est.)
$50.626 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 109

Real GDP growth rate

75.06% (2023 est.)
-19.61% (2022 est.)
23.54% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 1

Real GDP per capita

$105,000 (2023 est.)
$60,100 (2022 est.)
$74,200 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 6

GDP (official exchange rate)

$45.803 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.5% (2023 est.)
1% (2022 est.)
0% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 14

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

industry: 5.4% (2023 est.)

services: 91.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 4; industry 212

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 30.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 13.8% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 14.6% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.9% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 91.4% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -50.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

pork, chicken, beef, eggs, pork offal, pork fat, pepper, beef offal, cattle hides, goose meat (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys

Industrial production growth rate

6.78% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 32

Labor force

373,800 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 165

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2024 est.)
2.2% (2023 est.)
2.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 26

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 7.2% (2024 est.)

male: 9.4% (2024 est.)

female: 5.6% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 152

Remittances

0.23% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.33% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.24% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $5.135 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $12.259 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

0% of GDP (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 207

Taxes and other revenues

22.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 62

Current account balance

$14.38 billion (2023 est.)
$3.476 billion (2022 est.)
$2.705 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 24

Exports

$41.839 billion (2023 est.)
$21.097 billion (2022 est.)
$28.163 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 71

Exports – partners

Hong Kong 73%, China 6%, USA 6%, Philippines 3%, Singapore 1% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

jewelry, garments, broadcasting equipment, precious metal watches, video and card games (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$23.205 billion (2023 est.)
$20.923 billion (2022 est.)
$23.77 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 88

Imports – partners

China 36%, Hong Kong 17%, USA 6%, France 6%, Japan 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

jewelry, garments, trunks and cases, broadcasting equipment, electricity (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$29.392 billion (2024 est.)
$27.771 billion (2023 est.)
$25.971 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 51

Exchange rates

patacas (MOP) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
8.037 (2024 est.)
8.063 (2023 est.)
8.065 (2022 est.)
8.006 (2021 est.)
7.989 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 427,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 5.659 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 5.327 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 161.125 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 57; imports 44; consumption 128; installed generating capacity 155

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 58.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 41.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

exports: 600 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 7 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 121.747 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 121.716 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

1.595 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: -1,239 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.358 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 238,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 164

Energy consumption per capita

64.641 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 77

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 87,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 139

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 1.37 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 175 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 161

Broadcast media

local government dominates broadcast media; 2 TV stations operated by the government, with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; 1 cable TV and 4 satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2019)

Internet country code

.mo

Internet users

percent of population: 89% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 212,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 121

Military and Security

Military and security forces

no regular indigenous military forces; Macau Public Security Police Force

Military – note

defense is the responsibility of China; the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a garrison in Macau

Transnational Issues

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 3 — Macau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Macau remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/macau/