Macau is heading towards a “super-aged society” and participates in the construction of the Greater Bay Area Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau. Over the 14 years of implementation, the Development and Continuous Improvement Plan has received more than 240,000 participations from people aged 65 or older, demonstrating a strong demand for self-improvement.
At the same time, the Government of the Macao SAR should take advantage of the opportunity from the “2026 Government Policy Address“, which proposes the new development orientation “Macau + Hengqin”, to thoroughly review the rules of the Plan and systematically expand the scope of support for the Hengqin Deep Cooperation Zone, helping Macau residents integrate into Macau-Hengqin life.
Currently, the population aged 65 or over has already exceeded 100,000 people. Many elderly individuals report that the “Macao One Account” is complex and that information is scattered, creating digital barriers. Therefore, it is proposed to use artificial intelligence technology to develop an “intelligent course recommendation function” and an AI voice guide for the elderly; and to accelerate the update to “Macao One Account 3.0,” connecting services more precisely to the user’s age.
It is also recommended, in conjunction with the “gray economy,” to create more professional courses or ones aligned with qualification frameworks, and to encourage higher education institutions to offer diverse content, such as social behavior sciences and cultural heritage tourism.
The Education and Youth Development Bureau responded to a written interpellation indicating that it has already optimized the simplified version of the “Macao One Account” and since 2025, it has been visiting residences and elderly communities to provide in-person guidance on the use of electronic platforms.
To unlock the potential of resident training, it is suggested:
1) Recognize educational institutions with Macau’s investment in Hengqin, allowing entities within the Cooperation Zone that meet both parties’ standards to apply for recognized institutions. This would facilitate cross-border living and support the “one exam, multiple certifications” policy.
2) to take advantage of Hengqin for sports training, creating cross-border mechanisms for the use of facilities for courses that require large equipment, taking advantage of the context of the National Games and alleviating the lack of venues in Macau;
3) create a “one-stop” information platform with a dedicated section for the Cooperation Zone within the “Macao One Account,” integrating courses, registrations, and support requests, ensuring data interoperability and reducing information asymmetries.
Finally, it is recommended that the Government adopt a more forward-looking vision, acting on multiple fronts – risk assessment, intelligent management, and interregional cooperation – to build a resilient lifelong learning system. With the continuous improvement of policies, it will be possible not only to enrich the lives of older adults but also to transform these resources into a driving force for regional integration.
