Plastic waste exports in Macao
Macao: Plastic waste exports was 181.03 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Macao, 1991–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for plastic waste exports in Macao is 181.03 tonnes, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 72.9% on the previous year and down 85.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Macao peaked at 5,162 tonnes in 2006 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 1998.
Macao ranks 116th of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Macao, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2,846 tonnes | — |
| 1992 | 2,132 tonnes | -25.1% |
| 1993 | 1,016 tonnes | -52.4% |
| 1994 | 683.12 tonnes | -32.7% |
| 1995 | 662.54 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1996 | 653.7 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1997 | 305.96 tonnes | -53.2% |
| 1998 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 1999 | 923.81 tonnes | — |
| 2001 | 1,454 tonnes | +57.4% |
| 2004 | 2,400 tonnes | +65.1% |
| 2005 | 739.8 tonnes | -69.2% |
| 2006 | 5,162 tonnes | +597.8% |
| 2009 | 3,108 tonnes | -39.8% |
| 2011 | 1,996 tonnes | -35.8% |
| 2012 | 2,148 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 2013 | 1,070 tonnes | -50.2% |
| 2014 | 1,245 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 2015 | 785 tonnes | -36.9% |
| 2017 | 202.96 tonnes | -74.1% |
| 2018 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2019 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 2020 | 350.36 tonnes | — |
| 2021 | 669.18 tonnes | +91.0% |
| 2024 | 181.03 tonnes | -72.9% |
Macao compared with similar countries
- Macao's 181.03 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,588 tonnes, 4% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Macao's 181.03 tonnes is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 277.15 tonnes, 65% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Macao changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | +597.8% | 739.8 tonnes | 5,162 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1,025 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 2,846 tonnes | 9 |
| 2000s | 2,573 tonnes | 739.8 tonnes | 5,162 tonnes | 5 |
| 2010s | 930.78 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 2,148 tonnes | 8 |
| 2020s | 400.19 tonnes | 181.03 tonnes | 669.18 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Macao
More environment data for Macao
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.98 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -3.98 Percentage change (2025)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt) 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e) 7.41 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt) 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) (Mt) 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) (Mt) 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Macao?
- Plastic waste exports in Macao was 181.03 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Macao?
- The highest recorded value was 5,162 tonnes in 2006.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Macao?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 1998.
- How does Macao rank for plastic waste exports?
- Macao ranks 116th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Macao?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Macao data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.