Parishes serve as the primary administrative divisions of Macao, with 9 parishes comprising the sole level of local government subdivision in the territory. These parishes function as geographic and statistical units rather than autonomous governing bodies, as Macao operates under a centralized administration. They are used primarily for organizing public services, census data collection, and identifying neighborhoods within the compact territory. While parishes retain historical and cultural significance dating from Portuguese colonial administration, they do not possess independent legislative or executive powers. Instead, the Macao Special Administrative Region government manages all municipal services centrally, with parishes serving as reference points for postal services, urban planning, and the delivery of community-level amenities such as healthcare facilities, schools, and social services to residents.