Population644,426
Area28 km²
GDP per capita$112,800
LanguagesCantonese, Mandarin, other Chinese dialects, English, Tagalog, Portuguese, other .
Currencypatacas
Life Expectancy85.3 yr
Governmenta limited democracy led by the executive; classified as a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
land
28.2 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
28 sq km
Climate
subtropical; marine climate characterized by cool winters and warm summers
Terrain
predominantly level terrain
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Location
Located in Eastern Asia, adjacent to the South China Sea and China
Coastline
41 km
Elevation
lowest point
South China Sea 0 m
highest point
Alto Coloane 172 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
3 km
regional borders
China 3 km
Maritime claims
not specified
Natural hazards
typhoons
Geography - note
mainly urban; an area of 5.2 square kilometers (2 square miles) reclaimed from the sea, referred to as Cotai, links the islands of Coloane and Taipa; this island region is connected to the mainland peninsula via three bridges
Natural resources
NEGL
Area - comparative
approximately one-sixth the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
22 10 N, 113 33 E
Population distribution
population is relatively evenly distributed
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Cantonese 81%, Mandarin 4.7%, other Chinese dialects 5.4%, English 3.6%, Tagalog 2.9%, Portuguese 0.6%, other 1.8% (estimated in 2021).
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.
Religions
folk religion 58.9%, Buddhist 17.3%, Christian 7.2%, other 1.2%, none 15.4% (estimated in 2020).
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
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.89 male(s)/female
Birth rate
8.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
41.5 years
total
43 years (2025 est.)
female
43.1 years
Population
male
304,988
total
644,426 (2024 est.)
female
339,438
Nationality
noun
Chinese
adjective
Chinese
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
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% (estimated in 2021).
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
43 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
20.5 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
4.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
22.5 (2024 est.)
Net migration rate
3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population
Education expenditure
6.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.64% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.61 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The population is relatively evenly distributed.
Life expectancy at birth
male
82.5 years
female
88.3 years
total population
85.3 years (2024 est.)
Major urban areas - population
682,000 Macau (2023)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
17 years
total
18 years
female
19 years (2021)
Environment
Climate
subtropical; maritime climate characterized by mild winters and warm summers
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
377,900 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
air quality issues; pollution of coastal waters; waste management challenges; noise disturbances
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
1.595 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
238,000 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.)
Government
Flag
description: a green background featuring a lotus flower positioned above a stylized bridge and white water, all beneath an arc of five gold five-pointed stars
meaning: the lotus serves as the national floral symbol, with its three petals signifying the country's peninsula and two islands; the five stars reflect the design of the Chinese flag
Suffrage
18 years old for direct elections for certain legislative roles, universally applicable to permanent residents residing in Macau for the last 7 years
Citizenship
see China
Constitution
history
the previous statute from 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, under Portuguese governance); the most recent version was adopted on 31 March 1993 and came into effect on 20 December 1999 (the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China acts as Macau's constitution)
amendment process
initiated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and the Macau Special Administrative Region; the submission of proposals to the NPC necessitates a two-thirds majority vote from the Legislative Assembly of Macau, approval by two-thirds of Macau's deputies to the NPC, and consent from the chief executive of Macau; final approval requires the NPC's endorsement
Country name
etymology
the name originates from the Chinese ama-gao, meaning “Bay of Ama,” named after Ama, the patron deity of sailors
official long form
Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese)/ Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
official short form
Aomen (Chinese)/ Macau (Portuguese)
conventional long form
Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form
Macau
Independence
none (special administrative region of China)
Legal system
a civil law framework modeled after the Portuguese system
Government type
a limited democracy led by the executive; classified as a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Second Instance; Court of First Instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court
judge selection and term of office
justices are appointed by the chief executive of Macau based on recommendations from an independent commission comprising judges, lawyers, and distinguished individuals; tenure for judges is not applicable
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council appointed by the chief executive
chief of state
President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013)
election results
2024: Sam Hou FAI (unopposed; obtained 394 out of 400 votes)
2019: HO lat Seng (unopposed; secured 392 out of 400 votes)
head of government
Chief Executive Sam Hou FAI (since 20 December 2024)
most recent election date
president: 10 March 2023
chief executive: 13 October 2024
election/appointment process
the president is indirectly elected by the National People's Congress for a term of 5 years (with eligibility for a second term); the chief executive is chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for a 5-year term (also eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
president: March 2028
chief executive: 2029
National holiday
National Day (marking the anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)
Dependency status
a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
National color(s)
green, white, yellow
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
33 (14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected, 7 appointed)
electoral system
mixed
legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/12/2021
expected date of next election
September 2025
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers)
history
the official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China
lyrics/music
TIAN Han/NIE Er
National symbol(s)
lotus blossom
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (Special Administrative Region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the United States does not maintain offices in Macau; the 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
Economy
Budget
revenues
$12.513 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$11.509 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$28.163 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$21.097 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$41.839 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$23.77 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$20.923 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$23.205 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
tourism, gambling, apparel, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Labor force
382,100 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
0% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
patacas (MOP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
7.989 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
8.006 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
8.065 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
8.063 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
8.037 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a high-income economy within a Chinese special administrative region; recognized for its apparel exports and gambling tourism; currency is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar; experienced a notable recession due to the 2015 anticorruption campaign in China; the COVID-19 pandemic further reduced economic activity by half
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
2.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Hong Kong 73%, China 6%, USA 6%, Philippines 3%, Singapore 1% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 36%, Hong Kong 17%, USA 6%, France 6%, Japan 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$60,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$105,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$112,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-19.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
75.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
8.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
pork, chicken, beef, eggs, pork offal, pork fat, pepper, beef offal, cattle hides, goose meat (2023)
Exports - commodities
jewelry, garments, broadcasting equipment, precious metal watches, video and card games (2023)
Imports - commodities
jewelry, garments, trunks and cases, broadcasting equipment, electricity (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
$2.705 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$3.476 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$14.38 billion (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
22.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$50.183 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
29% (2024 est.)
government consumption
12.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.7% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
13.8% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
89.8% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-45.4% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
0% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
1% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
0.5% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
6.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$40.699 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$71.248 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$77.524 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
9.4% (2024 est.)
total
7.2% (2024 est.)
female
5.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$25.971 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$27.771 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$29.392 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
5.4% (2023 est.)
services
91.4% (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
600 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
7 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
imports
5.327 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
5.659 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
427,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
161.125 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
121.716 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
121.747 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
64.641 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
58.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
41.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
89% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
broadcast media is primarily controlled by local government; there are 2 television stations run by the government, one of which transmits in Portuguese while the other operates in Cantonese and Mandarin; in addition, 1 cable television service and 4 satellite TV services are accessible; there are 3 radio stations in operation, 2 of which are managed by the government (2019)
Internet country code
.mo
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
87,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
1.37 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
175 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
212,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
30 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
1
key ports
Macau
very small
0
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
1 (2025)
Heliports
4 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
5 (2023)
by type
other 5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
B-M
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with China; the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) has stationed a garrison in Macau.
Military and security forces
Macau Public Security Police Force
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 3 — Macau fails to completely satisfy the fundamental criteria for eradicating trafficking and is not exerting substantial efforts to improve this situation; consequently, Macau continues to be classified as Tier 3. For additional information, please visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/macau
