CE announces new adjustments to enhance people’s livelihoods, reports ‘steady progress’ since taking office

In his Policy Address, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai outlined the continuation of various measures to improve people’s livelihoods, notably proposing an increase in the marriage allowance to MOP4,000, up from the previous amount of MOP2,220.

The Chief Executive delivered his second Policy Address to the Legislative Assembly yesterday afternoon, unveiling the 2026 address titled “Driving Reform to Boost Efficiency, Pooling Strengths to Tackle Challenges, and Foster Diversity” in Chinese.

The address revealed nine new adjustments focused on improving people’s livelihoods.

Since the sixth-term special administrative region (SAR) government took office, key indicators of social and economic development have shown steady improvement.

“Fiscal and financial operations have remained stable, with overall unemployment rates staying low,” the Chief Executive stated at the Legislative Assembly yesterday.

He noted that livelihood initiatives have continued to advance, allowing all sectors of the SAR to progress steadily. “Overall social stability has been maintained, marking a solid start with major policy objectives largely achieved,” Sam added, noting that “Macau’s affairs are handled through collective consultation and collaborative efforts.”

Multiple measures remain unchanged

According to Sam, multiple measures to benefit the public will remain unchanged next year, with eligible permanent residents continuing to receive MOP10,000 in cash handouts and eligible non-permanent residents receiving MOP6,000.

An additional MOP7,000 will be deposited into eligible residents’ non-mandatory Central Provident Fund personal accounts, while medical vouchers will remain at MOP700.

The elderly allowance, old-age pension, birth grant, and utility subsidy will also stay the same at MOP10,000 annually, MOP3,900 monthly, MOP6,500 per month, and a maximum monthly subsidy of MOP200, respectively.

Additionally, the new childcare allowance introduced in July this year will continue.

Proposed adjustments to subsidies

The maximum subsidy for residents participating in the mainland’s basic medical insurance system will be increased to MOP1,000, with coverage expanded to the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian.

The marriage subsidy will rise to MOP4,000, allowing both eligible spouses to collect it simultaneously. Additionally, the unemployment subsidy will increase to MOP210 per day, while the sickness allowance will be raised to MOP180 per day for non-hospitalization cases and MOP240 per day for hospitalization. The funeral allowance will also see an increase, rising to MOP5,200.

Among the proposed adjustments to social welfare programs aimed at supporting families in need, the caregiver allowance is set to increase to MOP2,400 per month, with plans to lower the application threshold and expand eligibility for applicants.

Additionally, special subsidies for disadvantaged families will see increases across three categories: the learning activity subsidy will rise to between MOP400 and MOP900 per month, the nursing subsidy will increase to between MOP1,200 and MOP1,440 per month, and the disability subsidy will range from MOP900 to MOP1,200 per month.

The Community Inclusion and Harmony Programme will also introduce special living allowances, adjusted per household size, ranging from MOP2,900 for one person to MOP11,200 for households with up to eight members.

The Policy Address also proposes adjustments to the stamp-duty exemption for real-estate transfers, specifically exempting the first MOP6 million of the purchase price for residential units.

The minimum subsistence index has remained unchanged since its adjustment on January 1, 2020, and the latest Policy Address does not propose any revisions.

Gov’t admits persistent problem

In reviewing and summarizing this year’s policy implementation, the Chief Executive acknowledged several deep-seated contradictions and long-standing challenges, including uneven economic development, limited progress in achieving appropriate economic diversification, and the slow revitalization of the city’s old districts.

“These issues demand greater efforts and intensified measures to resolve,” he stated.

“As long as it benefits economic development, improves people’s livelihoods, and serves the overall and long-term interests of the Macau SAR, the government will redouble its efforts, pursue bold reforms, and continuously enhance governance standards and effectiveness to meet the expectations of our residents,” he asserted.

The Chief Executive outlined his government’s overall policy direction for next year, emphasizing that optimizing people’s livelihoods is a key priority. “During the drafting process, the government actively sought input from all sectors of society and the general public, which helped clarify the direction for improvement,” he stated.

‘Implementation and precision’

After presenting the Policy Address, Sam described during a press conference at Government Headquarters the newly announced series of people-oriented measures as guided by two principles: “implementation and precision.”

He stated that existing social subsidies and allowances will be retained while cash handouts are enhanced to ensure stable basic welfare for residents.

Simultaneously, targeted support will be provided to various groups, with significant increases allocated to three categories of vulnerable communities and caregiver allowances. “This approach both continues existing welfare policies and prioritizes enhanced support for vulnerable groups,” he added.

The Chief Executive continued to elaborate on his Policy Address, outlining measures to support the stability of the local real-estate market.

He announced plans to raise the stamp-duty exemption threshold to MOP6 million, stating, “This measure primarily aims to stabilize the entire property market.”

He further explained that increasing the threshold to MOP6 million would enable the government to sell 120,000 to 130,000 units, generating hundreds of millions in sales revenue.

Meanwhile, during the press conference, authorities reaffirmed that there are no plans to make special changes to the cash-handout program, with Sam stating, “Last year, some suggested converting part of the cash distribution into consumption vouchers, but the SAR government did not consider this.”

He added that current social welfare expenditures have significantly exceeded the budget, explaining, “For instance, the livelihood support measures announced earlier this year have already cost around MOP800 to MOP900 million, while the substantial increase in consumption during the first and second halves of the year totaled approximately MOP800 million. These funds have been fully utilized across society.”

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai reiterated yesterday his plan to visit Portugal and Spain, expressing “full confidence” that the trip will take place in the first half of next year, ideally in April or May.

He noted that the original overseas trip scheduled for this year had been postponed several times due to heavy official duties.

“This year’s affairs have been particularly complex. I assumed office on April 14, and after the Policy Address was delivered, various major policies and Macau’s political matters, including the Legislative Assembly elections, required my attention,” he explained. He added that he is currently coordinating with relevant Portuguese authorities to expedite the arrangements.

Sam’s Portugal trip delayed to April or May next year

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai reiterated yesterday his plan to visit Portugal and Spain, expressing “full confidence” that the trip will take place in the first half of next year, ideally in April or May.

He noted that the original overseas trip scheduled for this year had been postponed several times due to heavy official duties.

“This year’s affairs have been particularly complex. I assumed office on April 14, and after the Policy Address was delivered, various major policies and Macau’s political matters, including the Legislative Assembly elections, required my attention,” he explained. He added that he is currently coordinating with relevant Portuguese authorities to expedite the arrangements.