Macau schools integrate elderly students amid falling birth rates

A declining birth rate in Macau is prompting local schools to adapt by offering educational programs for senior citizens. At Sun Wah School, located in a densely populated northern residential area, retirees share classrooms and common spaces with children in kindergarten and primary education.

Sun Wah School president Ho U stated that the institution has offered courses for seniors since 2024, including Chinese painting, dance, musical instruments, languages, and martial arts. The number of elderly students has quadrupled to approximately 2,000.

This shift occurs amid significant demographic changes. In 2025, Macau recorded only 2,871 births, the lowest in nearly half a century, with a fertility rate of 0.47 children per woman. Consequently, the 2025/2026 academic year saw a decrease of 26 nursery classes and a reduction in the number of early childhood educators.