Study abroad dreams and the road back

Yuki Lei

Studying abroad is a dream for many Macau families, a path to broader horizons and sharper competitiveness. Yet for graduates returning home, the reality of Macau’s narrow industrial base often brings heavier concerns than imagined.

Many find their salaries barely cover living costs, while others struggle to repay study loans, facing a painfully wide gap between expectation and reality.

A Macau legislator recently highlighted this issue, noting that over half of the city’s secondary graduates study overseas. While acknowledging the benefits of international education, she urged authorities to strengthen engagement with students abroad, helping them align their career aspirations with Macau’s industrial needs to encourage their return.

Historically, the Talent Development Committee has attempted to lure overseas talent back. However, due to a persistent mismatch between the city’s industrial development and the career paths of its graduates, many have stayed abroad.

This is not merely a matter of individual choice but reflects a structural failure of Macau’s economy to offer sufficiently diverse career pathways.

The government has stepped up efforts to maintain ties with overseas talent, but surveys indicate that while emotional attachment to home remains strong, serious concerns about returning persist.

Macau’s traditional gaming sector still dominates, while emerging industries like technology, finance, and creative fields are in their infancy. For instance, a local student studying data science lamented that there is no industry in Macau requiring his skills. Furthermore, Macau’s wage levels are not competitive compared to mainland first-tier cities or overseas markets, yet living costs – particularly housing – remain chronically high, eroding disposable income.

Macau faces the twin challenges of an ageing population and an urgent need for industrial transformation. Talent is the key driver of urban development, but simply calling for its return is insufficient; the government must create conditions that make people want to stay.

First, beyond gaming, the government should actively promote substantive development in sectors like traditional Chinese medicine, high-tech industries, modern finance, and cultural tourism. This would ensure professionals from all backgrounds can find a place to contribute. Second, in addition to tax incentives and housing subsidies, the government should establish a robust career support system. This includes helping returning talent connect with the right employers and providing a clear sense of long-term prospects. From the outset of their studies abroad, the government should offer internship opportunities and job-matching services, reducing information gaps and easing their transition home.

Finally, beyond job opportunities, quality of life – including cultural vibrancy, education, and healthcare – heavily influences whether talent chooses to stay. The government should continue to enhance Macau’s livability, making it not just a place people want to return to, but a place they want to stay.

Studying abroad is the starting point of a dream; returning should not be the end. When young people bring global knowledge and perspectives back to Macau, they bring not just personal growth but hope for the city’s future. Macau needs more than just calls for talent to return – it needs a compelling reason for them to stay.