In 2024, Macau’s population registered at 688,300 people, of which 100,200, or 14.6%, were aged 65 or older, representing an increase of 0.6% compared to 2023 and a significant increase of 87% compared to 53,600 people a decade ago, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service.
The aging population is worsening, and elderly-related support work will face significant challenges. It is necessary for the Government to plan in advance and formulate policies and measures suitable for Macau’s development trends to respond to the growing needs of the elderly.
Elderly and youth-related initiatives have been repeatedly emphasized by the current Government. However, in addition to policy planning, it is also necessary to implement them to ensure a dignified retirement for the elderly. Many depend financially on Government support, having no other income or savings. Thus, Government support plays an indispensable role in their subsistence. However, the monthly amount of the Elderly Pension—the first level of Macau’s social security system—is only MOP 3,740 (MOP 2,805 for people aged 60), which is below the minimum Social Risk Value (for one person), which stands at MOP 4,350.
Under the existing mechanism, the update of this amount only occurs when the price index variation rate reaches 3%, which has not been revised for more than five years. This mechanism serves as a reference point, but if adjustments are made solely based on price variations, it may not reflect the inflationary pressures felt by the elderly. On one hand, inflation increases are mainly due to food items, precisely the goods that the elderly consume daily; on the other hand, the decrease in the price index for areas like recreation, sports, and culture may not reflect the goods and services the elderly actually use. Thus, even if the overall inflation rate does not reach 3%, the elderly face financial pressure.
The minimum Social Risk Value (for one person) best reflects the amount necessary for survival. Therefore, establishing a mechanism that indexes the Elderly Pension to the minimum Social Risk Value is considered scientific and reasonable. It is recommended that the authorities promptly begin studying this mechanism, so that the pension can truly fulfill its role as basic protection for the elderly.
As a system representing the Government’s care for the elderly and promoting respect for the aging population, the amount of the Elderly Subsidy has not been revised for almost seven years, since it was increased to MOP 9,000 per year in 2018. Despite the Elderly Pension and the Elderly Subsidy both being related to the elderly population, they are completely different in terms of their origin, legal and regulatory nature, and the public services responsible for their management. For this reason, we do not agree with the policy of setting the total amount of the Elderly Pension and the Elderly Subsidy at a level not lower than the Social Risk Value.
It is suggested that, as a first step, the Chief Executive approve an increase in the Elderly Subsidy in the short term, to meet the legitimate expectations of the elderly population.
The central welfare system depends on the surplus of public finances; if there is no surplus, there are no conditions for special fund injections. For the elderly who have no income or savings, the central welfare system has become one of their main sources of income. The Macau SAR Government should study the creation of a long-term mechanism, such as the establishment of an elderly support fund, which can act as a guarantor in supporting eligible elderly people whenever it is not possible to inject funds into the central welfare system, aiming at the continuous improvement of the system and the realization of the policy objective of “Caring for the Elderly.”
People’s Alliance of Macau
