The gross domestic product (GDP) in Macau improved slightly in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2017. The GDP was up 6% for the quarter, supported by “steady growth in exports of services and private consumption.” Gaming services are considered exports in the city for GDP purposes, as the majority of the gaming consumers are foreign tourists.

According to Macau’s Statistics and Census Service, over the first half of 2018, Macau’s GDP rose a total of 7.6% year-on-year. The first quarter saw an increase of 9.2% and the second-quarter figures were lower as a result of “a smaller increase in exports of services and a notable decline in investment.”

In the three months ending on June 30, exports, including gaming services, rose by 13.7% year-on-year. Exports of non-gaming tourism services in the same period increased by 13%.

The total of all services exports, considered to be the “major driving force” for economic growth in the city, grew by 13% in the second quarter over the same period last year. This was fueled by an increase in visitor arrivals during the quarter, as well as an increase in spending by the tourists. A jump of 30% in the export of goods during the quarter was also recorded.