The Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) has been ranked fifth in an evaluation titled ‘Richest Countries in the World’, carried out by Global Finance.
The SAR has seen a resurgence in the rankings, following a strong dip during COVID, which caused it to fall out of the top 10. However per-capita purchasing power has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, with the publication noting that the figure is down $35,000 when compared to 2019.
The SAR closely beat out rival the UAE – which is also aiming to become a gaming hub – with per capita GDP at $89,558, compared to the UAE’s $88,221.
The figure is a far cry from the closest contender, Qatar – ranked number 4 – at $124,834.
Singapore made it to the top three, placing third with $133,895.
Singapore benefited heavily by opening up earlier than business hub rival Hong Kong – leading to an influx of talent and investment before pandemic measures were lightened elsewhere.
Leading the chart at number 1 is Ireland, with $140,694, largely due to being a corporate tax haven. Luxembourg placed in second, with $142,490.
