Macau

Internet country code

.mo

Internet hosts

244 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183

Internet users

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008)

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 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 - main lines in use

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

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

Television broadcast stations

1 (2008)

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.43% (31 December 2008)

Debt - external

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

Economy - overview

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

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

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

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

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.557 billion (2006 est.); note - includes reexports

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.04 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$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

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

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

GDP - real growth rate

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

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

Labor force - by occupation

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

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

Natural gas - consumption

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

Natural gas - exports

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

Natural gas - imports

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

Natural gas - production

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

Natural gas - proved reserves

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

Oil - consumption

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

Oil - exports

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

Oil - imports

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

Oil - production

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

Oil - proved reserves

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

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

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

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

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

Stock of domestic credit

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

Stock of money

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

Stock of quasi money

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

Unemployment rate

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

Area

total: 28.2 sq km country comparison to the world: 235 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

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

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

Country name

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

special administrative region 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 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 description

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

limited democracy

Independence

none (special administrative region of China)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system

Legislative branch

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

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 and leaders

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 pressure groups and leaders

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

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

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 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.

Manpower available for military service

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

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 122,962 females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of China

Military branches

no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2009)

Age structure

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

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

Death rate

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

Education expenditures

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

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: 3.22 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

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

total population: 84.36 years country comparison to the world: 1 male: 81.39 years female: 87.47 years (2009 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: 35.2 years male: 35.9 years female: 34.6 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese

Net migration rate

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

Population

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

Population growth rate

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

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Sex ratio

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

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

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221

Airports - with paved runways

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

Heliports

2 (2009)

Ports and terminals

Macau

Roadways

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