Objective To analyze the incidences of notifiable communicable diseases in Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao), China, from 2000 to 2023, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.

Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used in the study to analyze the incidence data of notifiable communicable diseases collected from Macao Health Bureau. The incidence rate, constituent ratio, relative ratio with fixed base, link relative ratio, and average annual growth rate were calculated, and the communicable diseases were classified as six groups according to their transmission routes.

Results A total of 172 480 cases of communicable diseases were reported in Macao from 2000 to 2023. The median crude incidence rate was 837.10/100 000, an increase of 12.86 times in 2023 compared with 2000. The increase was largest in 2023 (306.19%) and the decrease was largest in 2020 (74.88%). The majority of reported cases were males aged under 15 years (38.10%). The communicable diseases were mainly transmitted by air or droplet (65.26%) and by food or drinking water (31.76%). Influenza and enterovirus infection were the major diseases.

Conclusion The incidence of notifiable communicable disease showed an increase trend in Macao during 2000−2023 with a significant increase in 2023 compared with the previous year. It is necessary to strengthen health education about common communicable diseases and improve vaccination in populations at high risk to improve the health level of citizens. In addition, more human resources are needed to response the increased incidence of communicable diseases.