View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2009 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mo

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

244 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183

Internet users [time series]

259,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008)

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 180 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) (2009)

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

173,533 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

993,545 (2009) country comparison to the world: 145

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2008)

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: $6.2 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion (2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.43% (31 December 2008)

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2006) country comparison to the world: 205

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. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macao into the world's largest gaming center. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. In 2008, government revenue from gaming was set to double 2006 collections. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, reenergized Macau's tourism industry. This city of just over 500,000 hosted more than 30 million visitors in 2008. Almost 60% came from mainland China despite increasing restrictions on travel to the SAR. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2008, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.1 billion, compared to $13.7 billion in gross gaming receipts. 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]

3.311 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.106 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

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 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.557 billion (2006 est.); note - includes reexports

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 39.9%, Hong Kong 19.7%, China 12.3%, Germany 4% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$22.04 billion (2008 est.)

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

$18.14 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $12.5 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

agriculture: 0.1% industry: 2.8% services: 97.1% (2007 est.)

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

$30,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 45 $28,400 (2006)

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

15% (2008) country comparison to the world: 2 16.6% (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$5.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.559 billion (2006 est.)

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 39.3%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 8.5%, US 5.5%, France 5.3%, Switzerland 4.7% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.2% (December 2008) country comparison to the world: 105 7.2% (2006)

Labor force [time series]

337,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

manufacturing 7.4%, construction 12.6%, transport and communications 5%, wholesale and retail trade 12.5%, restaurants and hotels 12.7%, gambling 14%, public sector 6%, financial services 2.1%, other services and agriculture 27.7% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $NA (31 December 2007) $413.1 million (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

81.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - imports [time series]

81.9 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Oil - consumption [time series]

16,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Oil - imports [time series]

5,027 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 65 $1.1 billion (2006)

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

$7.9 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 82 $6.5 billion (2006)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$11.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 68 $NA (31 December 2007)

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

$1.591 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 77 $1.16 billion (31 December 2007)

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

$22.15 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $21.91 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 3.1% (2006)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 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 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 the People's Republic 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 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 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 26 July 2009 (next to be held on in July 2014) election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected with 296 votes in 2004 election; Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, takes office on 20 December 2009

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 the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China

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; serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held on 20 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, New Hope 1, Convergence for Development 1, General Union for the Good of Macau 1; 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]

New Hope [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]; Union for Promoting Progress [LEONG Heng-teng] 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]

Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; 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 the People's Republic 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: 122,962 females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 4,578 female: 4,052 (2009 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 (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019) 15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.88 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Death rate [time series]

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 160

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: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 219 male: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 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: 84.36 years country comparison to the world: 1 male: 81.39 years female: 87.47 years (2009 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: 35.2 years male: 35.9 years female: 34.6 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese

Net migration rate [time series]

14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Population [time series]

559,846 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Population growth rate [time series]

1.995% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Religions [time series]

Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or 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: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

0.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 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 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Macau

Roadways [time series]

total: 404 km country comparison to the world: 196 paved: 404 km (2008)