People and Society of Macau

Nationality

Chinese

Ethnic Groups

Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, other

Population

682,800

Several major hospitals in Macau have adequate medical facilities, and Kiang Wu and Conde de Sao Januario hospitals are able to provide emergency medical care. The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong maintains a list of medical providers in Macau on the consulate website. Highly developed medical facilities and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by jetfoil and 10 minutes by helicopter from Macau.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Macau consistently ranks among the top territories in the world for life expectancy, reflecting its exceptional healthcare system, high standard of living, and strong public health infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, life expectancy at birth in Macau stands at approximately 85 years overall, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy reaches around 87 to 88 years, while male life expectancy is approximately 82 to 83 years. These figures place Macau alongside Japan, Hong Kong, and Switzerland as one of the longest-lived populations on the planet. Several factors contribute to Macau's impressive longevity. The territory benefits from a highly developed public healthcare system that provides residents with access to quality medical services, including subsidized care at government hospitals and clinics. Macau's relatively small size and dense urban environment make healthcare facilities easily accessible to the vast majority of the population. Dietary habits also play a meaningful role. The local population traditionally follows a diet influenced by both Chinese and Portuguese culinary traditions, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, vegetables, and moderate portions — patterns that research broadly associates with cardiovascular health and longevity. Macau's high per capita income, driven largely by its gaming and tourism industries, supports robust social services, sanitation infrastructure, and nutrition across the population. Low rates of extreme poverty further reduce health disparities that often shorten life expectancy in less affluent regions. Infant and child mortality rates in Macau are also extremely low, which positively influences the overall life expectancy at birth calculation. The territory maintains strong maternal and child health programs that contribute to healthy outcomes from the earliest stages of life. While Macau faces challenges common to aging populations — including increasing demand for elder care services and a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions — its life expectancy figures remain among the highest recorded globally and continue to trend upward over time.

Infant Mortality Rate

Macau boasts one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the territory's advanced healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and comprehensive maternal and child health services. As of the most recent available data, Macau's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 1.5 to 2 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among a small group of territories and nations that have achieved near-minimal infant death rates globally. This remarkable achievement is the result of several converging factors. Macau maintains a well-funded public health system that provides accessible prenatal care, skilled attendance at births, and postnatal support for mothers and newborns. Nearly all births in Macau take place in modern medical facilities with trained healthcare professionals present, which dramatically reduces risks associated with complications during delivery. The territory's high per capita income also plays a significant role. Greater household wealth generally translates into better nutrition, improved living conditions, and greater access to medical care for both mothers and infants. Macau's low poverty rate and strong social welfare programs ensure that even lower-income residents have access to essential health services. Compared to global averages, Macau's infant mortality rate is strikingly low. The world average infant mortality rate hovers around 27 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning Macau's rate is more than ten times lower than the global norm. Even when compared to other high-income economies in the Asia-Pacific region, Macau consistently ranks near the top in terms of newborn survival outcomes. Ongoing investments in neonatal intensive care, public health education, and disease prevention continue to support these low figures. Immunization coverage rates in Macau are high, further protecting infants from infectious diseases that remain leading causes of infant mortality in less-developed regions. The combination of excellent medical resources, economic stability, and strong public health governance has allowed Macau to sustain these impressive outcomes over many decades.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Buddhist50.0%
• none and other35.0%
• Roman Catholic15.0%

Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)

• Cantonese
• Portuguese

Crime Information

Petty street crime, including pick-pocketing, occasionally occurs in tourist areas in Macau, including in and around casinos and at the airport. You should protect your personal belongings and travel documents at all times. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Macau, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Macau, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. If you violate Macau’s laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Macau are severe, and if you are convicted of these offenses, you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case in Macau. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.