Macao Unveils Five-Year Plan to Diversify Gaming Economy

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region released its Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) on August 18, 2026. The 86,000-character blueprint aligns Macao with China's national 15th Five-Year Plan and seeks to advance the one country, two systems framework.

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai outlined a primary goal to increase the contribution of non-gaming sectors to approximately 60 percent of GDP by 2030. To support this diversification, the government will invest 130 billion patacas (roughly 16.1 billion U.S. dollars) into priority sectors, including modern finance, high technology, and big health. The plan also prioritizes the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to foster regional synergy.

Additional strategic tasks include accelerating urban renewal to create a smart city and strengthening connectivity via the Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) high-speed rail link and expanded ties with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. The government will also enhance national security frameworks regarding artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and smart policing. The final plan follows a public consultation period conducted between May 20 and June 28, 2026, and includes 35 key indicators to measure progress in unemployment, public housing, and GDP.