Updated
Overview
China has 2,051 times the population of Macau: 1.41 billion people against 685,900 (2025).
China's economy is 375 times the size of Macau's, at $19.50T versus $52.06B.
Per person, Macau is the wealthier of the two: $75,902 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Macau | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $52.06B | 2025 | $18.74T / $50.18B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $75,902 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | 0.2% / 0.5% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 55 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 685,900 | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 644,426 |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 39.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 0.69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 90% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 30 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 22863.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 1.06 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | — | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.0% for China, 4.7% for Macau).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 0.3% in Macau.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 55 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 39.6 (Macau).
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Macau (83.3 vs 78.0).
Macau is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 319,899 times the size of Macau: 9,596,960 km² versus 30 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Macau is far more densely settled: 22863 people per km² against 147.
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Macau?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Macau covers 30 km², so China is 319,899 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Macau?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 685,900 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Macau?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Macau is richer: $75,902 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $52.06B for Macau.