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Preliminary results of the 2011 Population Census (2011 Census) released by the Statistics and Census Services indicates that the population of Macao totals 552,500 on 12 August 2011, an increase of 26.9% compares with the 2001 Census. The annual average rate of population growth is 2.4% over the past ten years. Total number of households reaches 170,700 in August 2011, up by 26.5% from 2001; the average household size is 3.08 members, equivalent to a decrease of 0.06 compares with 3.14 in 2001. Average number of households per residential unit is 1.01, down by 0.02 from 1.03 households per unit in 2001. In the last decade, total land area has increased at an annual average rate of 1.4%, lower than the average rate of population growth; consequently, population density rises to 18,600 per km2 in 2011, an increase of 1,730 (+10.3%) in comparison with 16,870 per km2 in 2001. Analysed by age group, the youth population (aged 0-14) totals 65,900, making up 11.9% of the total population, a substantial decrease of 9.7 percentage points compares with 21.6% in 2001. The adult population (aged 15-64) reaches 446,600 to share 80.8% of the total, an increase of 9.7 percentage points from 71.1% in 2001. The elderly population (aged 65 and above) totals 40,000 that accounts for 7.2% of the total population, similar to 7.3% as in 2001, attributable to the majority immigrants and non-resident workers are adults that enables a slowdown in the pace of population ageing. Moreover, longer life expectancy lifts up the median age of the population to 36.0 years old in 2011, an increase of 2.7 years compares with the median age of 33.3 in 2001. Gender structure holds stable as in 2001 Census, with male (265,100) and female (287,400) accounting for 48.0% and 52.0% of the total population respectively. The predominance of female over male is due to the fact that the majority of immigrants and non-resident workers are female. In addition, gender ratio of the population remains unchanged at 92.3 males per 100 females, same as in 2001. With respect to the place of birth of the population, the majority (255,000) were born in Mainland China that make up 46.1% of the total population; besides, 227,000 (41.1%) were born in Macao and 19,000 (3.4%) in Hong Kong. An analysis of the population by statistical areas indicates that three of the more densely populated areas are Areia Preta & Iao Hon (66,900), NATAP (57,200) and Taipa Central (55,400), with the population size of Taipa Central growing by 26,200 from 2001. Furthermore, Pac On & Taipa Grande; and NAPE & Praia Grande register the highest rate of population growth, at 5.4 times and 1.6 times respectively, due to completion of more residential units in these areas. Coverage of the 2011 Census includes 234 vessels and 233,870 building units, of which 81.8% are residential units. Besides, a total of 168,000 residential units are being occupied. Total number of vacant building units (i.e. for lease/for sale) is 23,058 and the rate of vacant units is 9.9%, down significantly by 14.5 percentage points from 2001.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for November 2011 amounted to MOP651 million, up by 14.2% year-on-year; value of domestic exports (MOP219 million) and re-exports (MOP432 million) increased by 16.1% and 13.2% respectively; exports of Articles for casino soared by 106.1%. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP6.23 billion, up notably by 51.9% year-on-year, of which imports of Gold jewellery and Mobile phones surged by 174.1% and 81.0% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.58 billion in November 2011. In the first eleven months of 2011, total value of merchandise export decreased by 2.8% year-on-year to MOP6.24 billion, of which value of domestic exports and re-exports declined by 1.2% and 3.6% respectively; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 41.7% to MOP56.05 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first eleven months of 2011 widened by 50.3% year-on-year to MOP49.81 billion; the exports/imports ratio dropped by 5.1 percentage points year-on-year to 11.1%. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.75 billion), Mainland China (MOP990 million) and the USA (MOP503 million) in the first eleven months of 2011 decreased by 1.2%, 3.6% and 31.2% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Textile & garment declined by 17.4% to MOP1.23 billion; meanwhile, exports of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP216 million) decreased by 64.6%, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP595 million) and Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP539 million) grew by 53.4% and 29.8% respectively. In the first eleven months of 2011, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP17.05 billion) and the EU (MOP13.96 billion) expanded by 38.0% and 59.5% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 48.1% to MOP34.66 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP7.75 billion), Gold jewellery (MOP6.02 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP3.10 billion) increasing by 36.3%, 103.9% and 119.7% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP9.70 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 58.3%. In the first eleven months of 2011, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP62.29 billion, up by 35.5% compared with MOP45.99 billion a year earlier.
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Consumer Council added a grading standard to its assessment system for 'Certified Shops', 1190 'Adherents' had been awarded the 2012 'Certified Shop' emblem and 9 'Certified Shops' were graded 'Class A'. To ensure the goodwill and service quality of 'Certified Shops', Consumer Council has been making assessment on its 'Certified Shops' by conducting analysis and on-the-spot evaluation since the establishment of the 'Certified Shops' mechanism in 2001, qualified 'Adherents' and 'Certified Shops' are awarded the annual emblem. This action not only monitors the operation of 'Certified Shops' but also encourages improvement made by 'Certified Shops'. For years, the 'Certified Shop' emblem has become one of the local brands of assurance and quality. As Macao is now set as a world centre of tourism and leisure, services provided by local retail industry should align with international standards, Consumer Council therefore bettered its evaluation system for assessing 'Certified Shops' by adding class grading in addition to the current score grading. 'Certified Shops' were evaluated based on almost 30 criteria such as their records of complaint cases, hygienic conditions of shops, service quality provided by staff, sales policy and procedures, as well as their abidance to their 'Code of Practice', etc. 1190 qualified shops were then classified into 5 classes, the highest being 'Class A'. 9 'Certified Shops' with score over 95 were awarded as 'Class A Certified Shop' for the first time. Consumer Council indicated that 1241 'Adherents' or 'Certified Shops' were assessed in 2011, 51 shops (around 4 percent) did not pass the assessment mainly due to unqualified sales policy or numbers of complaint cases filed against them. The Council indicated that selling prices are often stated unclearly at shops where payments are accepted in currencies other than Patacas (MOP), especially when exchange rates of other currencies to Patacas are not displayed; 'Certifies Shops' would be asked to rectify this situation. 9 'Class A Certified Shops' were awarded at the launching ceremony of the new 'Certified Shop' emblem held on 28th December. Consumer Council hoped that all of its 'Certified Shops' would continue to improve and better local retail industry's services. Further, a new design for the 'Certified Shop' emblem was released at the event held on 28th. The above article can be downloaded at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for September-November 2011 was 2.3%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the previous period (August-October 2011); the underemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.1%. Total labour force was 345,000 in September-November 2011 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.5%, with total employment decreasing by about 1,800 over the previous period to 336,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of the Construction Sector saw increase, while that of Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services and Real Estate & Business Activities registered decrease. Number of the unemployed decreased by about 300 from the previous period to 8,100, with 15.3% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 1.1 percentage points over the previous period. In comparison with September-November 2010, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.5 and 0.6 percentage point respectively; meanwhile, the labour force participation rate increased by 1.3 percentage points.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met with the Secretary of CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Gaoli, in Tianjin where the two governments agreed to strengthen co-operation on trade, culture and tourism. Mr Chui and his official delegation arrived in Tianjin on 26 December after the Chief Executive's duty visit to report to the state leaders. During the meeting, Mr Zhang introduced the latest political and economic development of Tianjin city to the Macao delegates. He also said Tianjin and Macao should step up co-operation in all aspects. Mr Chui said that after the business promotional activity -- "Macao Week" had been held successfully in Tianjin city earlier this year, both sides have enhanced communication. He said that Mr Zhang should visit Macao when he had the time as well as to hold "Tianjin Week" in Macao to further expand mutual co-operation on business, culture and tourism. Mr Chui attended the welcome luncheon hosted by the Tianjin Government and visited the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, the Tianjin Haihe Italian Business Park and the Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall. The delegation returned Macao in the evening.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On concluded his duty visit and reported that President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had affirmed the SAR Government's work in 2011. Mr Hu and Mr Wen had respectively received Mr Chui today in Beijing. The Chief Executive said Mr Hu and Mr Wen had particularly hoped the government should be more concerned on several aspects: (1) due to the overall economic situation in 2012, the government should manage finance matters with security in order to reduce risk; (2) the government should intensify the work on improving people's livelihood; and (3) the government should accelerate the pace of economic diversification. According to China's 12th Five-Year Plan, Macao has been positioned as the world's tourism and leisure centre and as the business and trading service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; the SAR Government would fully carry out these two missions, said Mr Chui. He stressed that Macao has become a tourist destination and has engaged into the international market, the government is confident to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre. On its function as a service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, Mr Chui said that in the near future, the government would organise business delegations from the Portuguese-speaking countries to participate commercial and trading activities, such as fairs in the Mainland. On the other hand, the government would also organise business delegations from the Mainland to visit Portuguese-speaking countries to promote their goods and products, as well as to participate the international trading activities, said Mr Chui. The Chief Executive also said that the government has placed great hope in regional co-operation to diversify Macao's economy and he said he has confidence in achieving this. In response to media questions about constitutional development, Mr Chui re-iterated that the government is waiting a reply from the NPC Standing Committee and will announce the result to the public shortly.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left today for Beijing to report to state leaders on the government's performance in the past year and the policy blueprint for the coming year. Before his departure, Mr Chui told the media at Macao International airport that he would talk about the strategies in boosting economic development and improving people's livelihood to state leaders on this duty visit. He said that considering the complex international financial crisis, the government in the next year will implement preventive measures to cope with difficulties. Mr Chui highlighted that the government would speed up efforts to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre, advancing Macao as the business service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries in accordance with China's 12th Five-Year Plan. The government would continue to diversify Macao's economy through regional co-operation. When the media asked him about constitutional development, Mr Chui responded that more than 100 submissions were received during the consultation period over the past two years. According to the formal procedures, the government has written to the National People's Congress and would listen to the NPC Standing Committee's suggestion on modification after the Committee had its meeting. Regarding to the constitutional development which led to the recent discussion, Mr Chui emphasised two points: First, Macao's Basic Law is different from Hong Kong's Basic Law. This is the first time Macao had asked the NPC Standing Committee for interpretation after the SAR Government establishment in 12 years. The government must strictly abide by the NPC Standing Committee and in accordance with procedures laid down. Second, the Central Government has the right to start and to make determination in the whole process, said Mr Chui. Yet, he stressed that the government will take the mainstream view of the Macao residents as the basis to move forward with constitutional development. While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, is acting Chief Executive.
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Consumer Council released test result for the hygienic condition of tissue papers in its latest issue no. 219 Consumer Report, all 18 tested samples passed and complied with the quoted standard. Consumer Council pays attention to the hygienic condition of daily essential product of consumers such as tissue papers. 18 samples, packaged in 6-rolls to 12-rolls formats, were spot checked earlier and tested for their total amount of bacteria, colon bacillus, hemolytic streptococcus, and staphylococcus aureus, according to the quoted mainland China's national standard. All samples tested were satisfactory. Test result showed that the amount of bacteria found in most samples were much less than that stated in the national standard, meaning that the quality of tissue papers available in the market is ensured. However, consumers are advised not to choose tissue papers of poor quality or packaging, or those with unclear product labels, rather, they should choose products with certified labels printed on their packages and check whether they are properly packed without any air leaks or damages to avoid further contamination during transportation and storage. The latest Consumer Report also features an interview with ophthalmologist Dr. Frank Lai from Kiang Wu Hospital about the effects of coloured contacts to consumers' eye health. Consumer Report also covers the promotional work of the Council for the upcoming anti-smoking law that comes into force next year, as well as other recent activities of the Council. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of Consumer Council, Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that total visitor arrivals increased by 20.1% year-on-year to 2,417,765 in November 2011. Same-day visitors (1,317,503) accounted for 54.5% of the total, with 812,787 coming from Mainland China. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China surged by 33.2% year-on-year to 1,460,992 (60.4% of total), mostly from Guangdong Province (705,194), Fujian Province (88,413) and Zhejiang Province (55,047); Mainland visitors travelling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme totalled 561,070, up by 28.3% year-on-year. Visitors from Hong Kong (589,082), Japan (39,713), Malaysia (35,492) and Singapore (30,590) increased by 4.9%, 10.6%, 1.8% and 22.4% respectively; on the contrary, those from Taiwan, China decreased by 6.9% to 89,761. In the first eleven months of 2011, visitor arrivals reached 25,456,561, up by 12,2% year-on-year which had surpassed the annual total (24,965,411) of 2010. Visitors from Mainland China (14,680,367), Hong Kong (6,925,013) and the Republic of Korea (360,302) increased by 22.0%, 1.9% and 20.9% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (1,129,425) and Japan (355,532) decreased by 4.8% and 5.8%. In the first eleven months of 2011, same-day visitors accounted for 53.9% of the total, at 13,722,712. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea totalled 9,979,965 in the first eleven months of 2011, up by 7.6% year-on-year. Visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour increased by 10.7% to 6,433,037, while those arriving at the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa decreased slightly by 0.9% to 3,112,688. Visitor arrivals by land registered an increase of 16.9%, at 13,944,205 in the first eleven months of 2011, with 12,900,168 arriving through the Border Gate. Visitor arrivals by air increased by 3.0% year-on-year to 1,532,391. Visitors arriving at the Macao International Airport increased by 2.8% to 1,508,877, with the majority coming from Mainland China (37.9%); Taiwan, China (34.3%); and Malaysia (6.1%).
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On will pay a duty visit to Beijing on 25-26 December, after which he will also visit Tainjin In Beijing, Mr Chui will meet state leaders and report on the recent developments in Macao and his policy blueprints for next year, according to an announcement by the Office of the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive has re-affirmed that boosting economic development and improving people's livelihood are the focal points of the policy address of the SAR Government for next year. He said the Government would work together with the community to build Macao as the world's tourism and leisure centre, advancing Macao as the business service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, will be acting Chief Executive.
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