The total population was estimated to be 542,400 as at 2010.3. About 95% are ethnic Chinese, from different provinces, namely Guangdong and Fujian. The remaining 5% includes Portuguese, Europeans and other regions.

Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, Cantonese being most widely spoken. The official languages are used in government departments in all official documents and communications. English is generally used in trade, tourism and commerce.