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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mo

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

263 (2008)

Internet users [time series]

300,000 (2007)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 190 per 100 persons in 2008; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

177,851 (2008)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

856,200 (2008)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2006)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.6 billion expenditures: $3.4 billion (2006)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.81% (31 December 2007)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

pataca (MOP)

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2006)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Macau's economy has enjoyed strong growth in recent years on the back of its expanding tourism and gaming sectors. Since opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment that have helped transform it into the world's largest gaming center. In 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, have reenergized Macau's tourism industry, which saw total visitors grow to 27 million in 2007, up 62% in three years. Macau's strong economic growth has put pressure its labor market prompting businesses to look abroad to meet their staffing needs. The resulting influx of non-resident workers, who totaled one-fifth of the workforce in 2006, has fueled tensions among some segments of the population. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline. In 2006, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.8 billion compared to $6.9 billion in gross gaming receipts. Macau's textile industry will continue to move to the mainland because of the termination in 2005 of the Multi-Fiber Agreement, which provided a near guarantee of export markets, leaving the territory more dependent on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. However, the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.984 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.683 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.454 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006), 8.011 (2005), 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$2.557 billion f.o.b.; note - includes reexports (2006)

Exports - commodities [time series]

clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts

Exports - partners [time series]

US 40.6%, China 14.8%, Hong Kong 13.1%, Germany 6.4%, UK 4% (2007)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$14.3 billion (2006)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$12.5 billion (2006)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.1% industry: 3.9% services: 96% (2006 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$28,400 (2006)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

16.6% (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$4.559 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Imports - commodities [time series]

raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils

Imports - partners [time series]

China 42.6%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 9%, US 5.6%, Germany 4.4%, France 4.2% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.8% (3rd quarter, 2007)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.2% (2006)

Labor force [time series]

275,000 (2006)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

manufacturing 11.1%, construction 11.7%, transport and communications 6.3%, wholesale and retail trade 13.7%, restaurants and hotels 11.3%, gambling 19.8%, public sector 7.7%, financial services 2.6%, other services and agriculture 15.7% (2006)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$413.1 million (2004)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

16,570 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports [time series]

13,870 bbl/day (2006)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.1 billion (2006)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$6.5 billion (2006)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$1.16 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$21.91 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.1% (2006)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 28.2 sq km land: 28.2 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Coastline [time series]

41 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Location [time series]

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

not specified

Natural hazards [time series]

typhoons

Natural resources [time series]

NEGL

Terrain [time series]

generally flat

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (special administrative region of China)

Constitution [time series]

Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Dependency status [time series]

special administrative region of China

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (special administrative region of China)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary, three legislators, four businessmen, one pro-Beijing unionist, and one pro-Beijing educator elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 29 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected received 296 votes; three members submitted blank ballots; one member was absent

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller

Government type [time series]

limited democracy

Independence [time series]

none (special administrative region of China)

International organization participation [time series]

IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Legal system [time series]

based on Portuguese civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next in September 2009) election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, others 3; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Civil Service Union [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; United Forces note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Roman Catholic Church; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]

Suffrage [time series]

direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies

Introduction

Background [time series]

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 121,825 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 100,826 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 4,601 female: 4,171 (2008 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of China

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.5% (male 47,935/female 42,301) 15-64 years: 75.8% (male 193,571/female 220,108) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 19,340/female 22,419) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.69 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.4% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry)) (2006 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 84.33 years male: 81.36 years female: 87.45 years (2008 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.3% female: 87.8% (2001 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 35 years male: 35.6 years female: 34.5 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese

Net migration rate [time series]

26.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

545,674 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.148% (2008 est.)

Religions [time series]

Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 14 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

0.9 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Macau

Roadways [time series]

total: 384 km paved: 384 km (2006)