Macau gaming sector sees slight employment decline in 4Q24

January 27, 2025

Macau gaming sector sees slight employment decline in 4Q24

Employment in Macau’s gaming industry experienced a minor quarterly drop of 0.2 percent, reaching 71,600 workers. According to data from Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), the sector accounted for 18.6 percent of the total workforce, reflecting its substantial role in the local economy.

Although the decline was minimal, it was smaller than reductions seen in other sectors, such as hospitality and retail, which faced more pronounced challenges during the period.

Last week, all six gaming concessionaires in China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced salary increase for eligible employees. These are Wynn Macau, MGM China, SJM Resorts, Melco Resorts, Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment Group. The concessionaires also announced discretionary one-month salary bonuses to be paid between January and early February this year.

Analysts forecasted Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) to experience growth of 5 to 6 percent in 2025. According to analysts, the projected growth is driven mainly by strong momentum in the mass market segment and an increase in expected tourism arrival in 2025.

Macau’s labour force data

In the final quarter of 2024, Macau’s overall labour force experienced a modest decline, with total employment dropping by 0.3 percent compared to the previous quarter. Data from the Statistics and Census Service showed the employed population stood at approximately 378,300, while the labour force participation rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 67.7 percent. Despite these shifts, the general unemployment rate remained stable at 1.7 percent, and the unemployment rate among local residents stayed at 2.3 percent.

Broader sectoral trends

The wholesale and retail sector recorded a 2.7 percent reduction in employment, falling to 41,200 workers. Similarly, the hospitality industry saw a 0.7 percent decrease, with its workforce totalling 30,400. Rising costs for visitors likely contributed to these declines, impacting consumer-facing industries.

In contrast, the restaurant sector displayed resilience, reporting a 0.4 percent quarterly increase in employment, with 21,600 people employed. Meanwhile, construction employment fell more sharply, decreasing by 4 percent annually. This occurred despite ongoing expansion projects by gaming operators, underscoring broader challenges in the construction labour market.

Stable unemployment amid decreased participation

While total employment decreased, the unemployment rate remained steady due to a concurrent reduction in the labour force. The number of unemployed individuals stayed consistent at 6,700, while underemployment increased slightly to 1.5 percent. Local resident employment also fell by 1,300, aligning with the overall labour market contraction.

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