2013 Edition

Background

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 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.

Area

28.2 sq km 28.2 sq km 0 sq km

total

28.2 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Coastline

41 km

Elevation extremes

South China Sea 0 m Coloane Alto 172 m

highest point

Coloane Alto 172 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

party to

Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

Geographic coordinates

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Geography - note

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

NA; note - included in the total for China

Land boundaries

0.34 km China 0.34 km

regional border

China 0.34 km

total

0.34 km

Land use

0% 0% 100% (2011)

arable land

0%

other

100% (2011)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

not specified

Natural hazards

typhoons

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

generally flat

Age structure

14.5% (male 44,454/female 40,089) 14.5% (male 43,670/female 41,018) 51% (male 133,043/female 164,369) 11.1% (male 32,782/female 32,185) 8.8% (male 24,091/female 27,302) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

14.5% (male 44,454/female 40,089)

15-24 years

14.5% (male 43,670/female 41,018)

25-54 years

51% (male 133,043/female 164,369)

55-64 years

11.1% (male 32,782/female 32,185)

65 years and over

8.8% (male 24,091/female 27,302) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

9.03 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Death rate

3.97 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

25.8 % 15.6 % 10.2 % 9.8 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

10.2 %

potential support ratio

9.8 (2013)

total dependency ratio

25.8 %

youth dependency ratio

15.6 %

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Chinese 92.4%, other 7.6% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2011 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

3.15 deaths/1,000 live births 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

3.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Cantonese 83.3%, Mandarin 5%, Hokkien 3.7%, other Chinese dialects 2%, English 2.3%, Tagalog 1.7%, Portuguese 0.7%, other 1.3% Chinese and Portuguese are the official language (2011 census)

Life expectancy at birth

84.46 years 81.5 years 87.56 years (2013 est.)

female

87.56 years (2013 est.)

total population

84.46 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 95.6% 97.8% 93.7% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.7% (2011 est.)

male

97.8%

total population

95.6%

Median age

37.2 years 37.9 years 36.7 years (2013 est.)

female

36.7 years (2013 est.)

male

37.9 years

total

37.2 years

Nationality

Chinese Chinese

adjective

Chinese

noun

Chinese

Net migration rate

3.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Population

583,003 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.85% (2013 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2008)

female

14 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.12 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.82 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.88 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

0.93 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.8% 7% 4.7% (2011)

female

4.7% (2011)

total

5.8%

Urbanization

100% of total population (2011) 2.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Constitution

previous 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, by Portugal); latest adopted 31 March 1993, effective 20 December 1999(Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, by the People's Republic of China, serves as Macau's constitution) (2013)

Country name

Macau Special Administrative Region Macau Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

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)

Dependency status

special administrative region of the People's Republic of China

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong, currently Consul General Clifford A. HART Jr., is accredited to Macau

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (Special Administrative Region of China)

Executive branch

President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009) Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (current chief executive is eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014) the Legislative Assembly voted in August 2012 to expand the electoral committee to 400 seats for the 2014 election. Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 20 December 2009

cabinet

Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator

chief of state

President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

election results

Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 20 December 2009

elections

chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (current chief executive is eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)

head of government

Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009)

Flag description

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

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

limited democracy

Independence

none (special administrative region of China)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices) justices appointed by the Macau chief executive upon the recommendation of an independent commission of judges, lawyers, and "eminent" persons; judge tenure NA Court of Second Instance; Court of First instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court

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

Legal system

civil law system based on the Portuguese model

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms) last held on 20 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013) percent of vote - UPD 14.9%, ACUM 12%, APMD 11.6%, NUDM 9.9%, UPP 9.9%, ANMD 7.8%, UMG 7.3%, MUDAR 5.5%, others 21.1%; seats by political group - UPD 2, ACUM 2, APMD 2, NE 1, NUMD 1, UPP 1, ANMD 1, UMG 1, MUDAR 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive

election results

percent of vote - UPD 14.9%, ACUM 12%, APMD 11.6%, NUDM 9.9%, UPP 9.9%, ANMD 7.8%, UMG 7.3%, MUDAR 5.5%, others 21.1%; seats by political group - UPD 2, ACUM 2, APMD 2, NE 1, NUMD 1, UPP 1, ANMD 1, UMG 1, MUDAR 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive

elections

last held on 20 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)

National anthem

as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyonggjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)

note

as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyonggjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see 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

National symbol(s)

lotus blossom

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Change or MUDAR Democratic New Macau Association or ANMD (an electoral list of New Macau Association [Jason CHAO] Democratic Prosperous Macau Association or APMD (an electoral list of New Macau Association [Jason CHAO] Macau Development Alliance or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei] Macau-Guangdong Union or UMG Macau United Citizens' Association or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam] New Macau Association or NMA [Jason CHAO] New Hope or NE [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO] Union for Development or UDP Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [LEONG Heng-teng] there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies

Political pressure groups and leaders

Civic Power [Agnes LAM lok-fong] Democratic Action [LEE Kin-yun] Bar-Bending Workers' Association {WONG Wai-Man] Macau New Chinese Youth Association [LEONG Sin-man] Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO] Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok] New Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]

Suffrage

18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; note - indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (973 were registered in the 2009 legislative elections) and a 300-member Election Committee for the Chief Executive (CE) drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials

Agriculture - products

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

$16.06 billion $4.731 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$4.731 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$16.06 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

25.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.25% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$16.13 billion (2011 est.) $12.06 billion (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2012)

Economy - overview

Since opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, Macau has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming the territory into one of the world's largest gaming centers. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China''s decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. By 2006, Macau''s gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 70% of total government revenue. Macau''s economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in 2010-11, largely on the back of tourism from mainland China and the gaming sectors. In 2012, this city of 582,000 hosted nearly 28 million visitors. Almost 60% came from mainland China. Macau''s traditional manufacturing industry has slowed greatly since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. China is Macau''s second largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong, and followed by the United States. In 2012, exports were less than US$1 billion, while gaming receipts were US$38 billion, a 13.5% increase over 2011. Macau''s economy expanded by 10% in 2012; although impressive, it was a slower growth rate than in previous years. Macau continues to face the challenges of managing its growing casino industry, money-laundering, and the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on gaming revenues. Macau''s currency, the pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.

Exchange rates

patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 7.99 (2012 est.) 8.02 (2011 est.) 8 (2010 est.) 7.98 (2008) 8.01 (2007)

Exports

$1.02 billion (2012 est.) $1.111 billion (2011 est.) includes reexports

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Hong Kong 50.3%, China 16.8%, US 6.2% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

19.9% 6.8% 13.4% 1.4% 108.3% -49.7% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

108.3%

government consumption

6.8%

household consumption

19.9%

imports of goods and services

-49.7%

investment in fixed capital

13.4%

investment in inventories

1.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0% 6.3% 93.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0%

industry

6.3%

services

93.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$82,400 (2011 est.) $75,500 (2010 est.) $69,700 (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

10% (2012 est.) 20.7% (2011 est.) 27% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.3 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$47.19 billion (2011 est.) $42.9 billion (2011 est.) $39 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$8.866 billion (2012 est.) $7.786 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 32.2%, Hong Kong 11.6%, France 8.8%, Switzerland 8.6%, Italy 7.5%, Japan 5.9%, US 5.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

8.4% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.1% (2012 est.) 5.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

356,700 (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3% 6.6% 4.3% 12.7% 15.5% 15.1% 7.1% 2.2% 33.5% (2012)

construction

6.6%

financial services

2.2%

gambling

15.1%

manufacturing

3%

other services

33.5% (2012)

public sector

7.1%

restaurants and hotels

15.5%

transport and communications

4.3%

wholesale and retail trade

12.7%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$85.5 billion (2 March 2012 est.) $46.1 billion (31 February 2011) $2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $34.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.) the Fiscal Reserves Act that came into force on 1 January 2012 requires the fiscal reserve to be separated from the foreign exchange reserves and to be managed separately; the transfer of assets took place in February 2012

Stock of broad money

$46.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $46.29 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$672.1 million (2011 est.) $550.6 million (2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$14.9 billion (2010 est.) $13.6 billion (#REF! est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-5.689 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $-8.616 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.862 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.434 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

2% (2012 est.) 2.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.805 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

4.214 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.86 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

472,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

561 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

7,522 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,948 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

local government dominates broadcast media; 2 television 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 (2012)

Internet country code

.mo

Internet hosts

327 (2012)

Internet users

270,200 (2009)

Telephone system

fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity exceeding 200 per 100 persons; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline 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) (2011)

domestic

termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity exceeding 200 per 100 persons; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline

general assessment

fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

162,500 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.613 million (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Heliports

2 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Macau

Roadways

413 km 413 km (2009)

total

413 km

Manpower available for military service

150,780 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

150,780 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

124,189 149,514 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

149,514 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

124,189

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

4,274 3,674 (2010 est.)

female

3,674 (2010 est.)

male

4,274

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of China

Military branches

no regular indigenous military forces

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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