Qatar’s economy registered real GDP growth of 3.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. According to the National Planning Council, GDP at constant prices reached QAR181.5 billion ($49.85 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to QAR175 billion ($48.06 billion) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. These results indicate strong progress toward achieving sustainable growth, built on diversifying the economy beyond hydrocarbon activities and increasing the contribution of the private sector, in line with the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) and Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
To provide a more accurate assessment of the national economy, the National Statistics Center, within the National Planning Council, employed an updated methodology for calculating GDP and revised quarterly GDP data for the period between 2018 and 2024. The revisions in methodology focused on updating indicators for various economic activities and introducing advanced calculations that align with international standards for measuring output.
Data issued by the National Statistics Centre highlighted the results of national efforts in strengthening the non-hydrocarbon economy, whose contribution constituted 63.6 percent of real GDP for the first quarter of 2025, around QAR115 billion, a growing share compared to the 62.6 percent figure in the same period in 2024. The non-hydrocarbon economy is delivering accelerated year-on-year growth of 5.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reflecting the ongoing expansion of various economic activities away from the traditional reliance on hydrocarbon-related activities.
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Notable growth across sectorsÂ
The growth of the non-hydrocarbon economy by 5.3 percent in the first quarter of this year is attributed to several sectors. The manufacturing sector increased by 5.6 percent. The construction sector grew by 4.4 percent. The real estate sector saw an increase of 7.0 percent. Additionally, the wholesale and retail trade sector experienced significant growth of 14.6 percent. Notable increases were also recorded in smaller sectors of the economy. The accommodation and food services sector grew by 13.8 percent. The transport and storage sector increased by 3.5 percent. These figures demonstrate broad-based growth and continued expansion in tourism activity in Qatar.
The consistent growth of the non-hydrocarbon economy in the first quarter of 2025 illustrates the effectiveness of the State’s policies and reforms in improving the business environment and providing opportunities for the private sector. It also reflects the strong commitment of both public and private sectors to invest in the local market and drive growth through the implementation of the Third National Development Strategy, in alignment with the economic diversification roadmap outlined by Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
Non-hydrocarbon growth was not limited to manufacturing and production activities; service activities also experienced growth compared to the same period in 2024, including professional, scientific, and technical activities at 7.2 percent, human health and social work at 2.6 percent, and the education sector at 0.1 percent. Service activities remain a priority for the government, and these growth rates demonstrate an intensification of efforts to enhance quality of life and human capital in Qatar, continually increasing Qatar’s global competitiveness.
Hydrocarbon growth
Despite the volatility facing the global economy and its potential impact on oil and gas prices, growth in hydrocarbon activities persists, now accounting for 36.4 percent of Qatar’s real GDP, around QAR66 billion, with a growth rate of 1.0 percent compared to the same period in 2024. These figures reflect continued strong demand for Qatari hydrocarbon products, as well as the resilience of the Qatari economy in the face of global economic challenges.
Commenting on the latest GDP figures, HE Secretary General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, His Excellency secretary general of the National Planning Council, said: “These indicators highlight the progress of Qatar’s economy, particularly in terms of non-hydrocarbon economic growth, whose activities have recorded remarkable growth demonstrating greater diversification and stability for Qatar’s economy as the State continues to strive to build a sustainable economy. The current growth rates also indicate additional opportunities for development, as there remains significant potential that we seek to unlock through the Third National Development Strategy to continue to build sustainable economic growth that offers unique investment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the private sector.”
