Macau

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; cable and satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2010)

Internet country code

.mo

Internet hosts

327 (2012) country comparison to the world: 190

Internet users

270,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134

Telephone system

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 exceeding 200 per 100 persons; 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)

Telephones - main lines in use

165,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 131

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.353 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 148

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

revenues: $16.95 billion expenditures: $6.934 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

45.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 5.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$17.01 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $12.06 billion (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2010) country comparison to the world: 204

Economy - overview

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 Macau 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. In 2008, Macau introduced measures to cool the rapidly developing sector. 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. This city of 550,000 hosted nearly 25 million visitors in 2010. Almost 53% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry slowed greatly since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect in January 2004 offers Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland; nevertheless, China is Macau's second largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong, and followed by the United States. However, exports in 2010 were less than US$900 million, while gaming receipts were almost US$24 billion, a 58% increase over 2009. Macau's economy expanded at a slower pace in 2012 - around 10% - reflecting continued global economic uncertainties. Macau continues to face the challenges of managing its growing casino industry, money-laundering, and the need to diversifying 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.) 8.0182 (2011 est.) 8.0022 (2010 est.) 7.983 (2008) 8.011 (2007)

Exports

$1.119 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $1.053 billion (2010 est.) note: includes reexports

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Hong Kong 44.6%, China 15.9%, US 7.9% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$36.43 billion (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$42.9 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $35.54 billion (2010 est.) $27.99 billion (2009 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 0% industry: 7.4% services: 92.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$74,900 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $62,600 (2010 est.) $50,000 (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

20.7% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 27% (2010 est.) 1.7% (2009 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$8.926 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $6.552 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 30.4%, Hong Kong 12%, France 10.4%, Switzerland 7.5%, Italy 7.5%, Japan 6.2%, US 6.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.9% (2011) country comparison to the world: 83

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 5.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

330,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Labor force - by occupation

manufacturing: 4.3% construction: 8.7% transport and communications: 5.5% wholesale and retail trade: 13.3% restaurants and hotels: 12.7% gambling: 13.3% public sector: 6.7% financial services: 2.4% other services: 33.2% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$46.1 billion (31 February 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.3 billion (31 December 2008) $413.1 million (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$34.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $23.73 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$39.29 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $37.35 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$240 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $964 million (2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$12.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $10.5 billion (#REF! est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$6.558 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $8.612 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.992 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $4.532 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

76.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Unemployment rate

2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 2.2% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.537 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - consumption

3.66 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - imports

2.79 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - installed generating capacity

472,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Electricity - production

1.1 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - consumption

154.7 million cu m (2010) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - imports

154.5 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - proved reserves

174,000 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,180 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Area

total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 237 land: 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

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

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

total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km

Land use

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

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

Administrative divisions

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

Constitution

The Basic Law, approved 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's charter

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)

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 is accredited to Macau

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (special administrative region of China)

Executive branch

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20 December 2009) cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1 pro-Beijing educator (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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) election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, took office on 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

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 in Macau Special Administrative Region

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

National anthem

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; Macau Development Alliance or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau-Guangdong Union or UNG; 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 Promoting Progress or UPP [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 pressure groups and leaders

Civic Power [Agnes LAM lok-fong]; 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]; Union for Democracy Development [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

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 150,780 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 124,189 females age 16-49: 149,514 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 4,274 female: 3,674 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of China

Military branches

no regular military forces

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.7% (male 44,866/ female 40,159) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 207,982/ female 235,917) 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 23,024/ female 26,077) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

9.05 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Death rate

3.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Education expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 152

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 217 male: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% note: Chinese and Portuguese are the official language (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 84.43 years country comparison to the world: 2 male: 81.47 years female: 87.54 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 36.7 years male: 37.3 years female: 36.3 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese

Net migration rate

3.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Population

578,025 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Population growth rate

0.866% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 15 years female: 14 years (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

0.92 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 7.5% country comparison to the world: 115 male: 9.8% female: 5.4% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

1 (2012) country comparison to the world: 210

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2012)

Heliports

2 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Macau

Roadways

total: 413 km country comparison to the world: 199 paved: 413 km (2009)