Macau Rate of Natural Increase

Macau’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—is notably low, and in recent years, it has even turned negative. Macau has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with a crude birth rate of around 7 births per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of about 4 per 1,000, resulting in a very modest or negative RNI. In contrast, neighboring regions like mainland China and Hong Kong also experience low or negative RNIs, reflecting similar demographic trends of aging populations and declining fertility rates. However, Macau’s RNI is often slightly lower than China’s, as China’s vast rural areas still contribute to a marginally higher birth rate overall. Meanwhile, compared to other nearby countries such as Vietnam or the Philippines, which maintain higher birth rates and thus higher RNIs, Macau stands out as a region with stagnant or shrinking natural population growth, relying more on migration than natural increase for any population gains.

Data from US Census International Database