Qatar Records 6% Average Annual Growth Over 15 Years, Expands Diversification Drive, IMO Says

Foreign direct investment (FDI) figures for 2025 showed outward FDI at QR210 billion, up 8.1% from 2024, and inward FDI at QR165.4 billion, up 2%.

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Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) has increased 38-fold over the past three decades, according to data released by the country’s International Media Office (IMO). The economy recorded an average annual growth rate of about 6% over the past 15 years.

Non-hydrocarbon activities accounted for 65.5% of real GDP, reflecting a growing share of output from sectors outside oil and gas.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) figures for 2025 showed outward FDI at QR210 billion [US$57 billion], up 8.1% from 2024, and inward FDI at QR165.4 billion [US$45 billion], up 2%.

Several industries have emerged as major drivers of diversification, including manufacturing which contributed a record QR69.3 billion [US$19 billion] to the economy in 2025. The financial sector also expanded, supported by the Qatar Investment Authority’s Fund of Funds program, to US$3 billion to support venture capital and startups.

Infrastructure developments included Hamad Port, where nearly half of total throughput in 2025 came from transshipment activity, and Hamad International Airport, which raised its capacity to more than 65 million passengers annually.

The data also cited ongoing diversification efforts under Qatar National Vision 2030, including expanded private-sector financing, logistics development, and growth in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, tourism, and financial services.

shutterstock

Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) has increased 38-fold over the past three decades, according to data released by the country’s International Media Office (IMO). The economy recorded an average annual growth rate of about 6% over the past 15 years.

Non-hydrocarbon activities accounted for 65.5% of real GDP, reflecting a growing share of output from sectors outside oil and gas.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) figures for 2025 showed outward FDI at QR210 billion [US$57 billion], up 8.1% from 2024, and inward FDI at QR165.4 billion [US$45 billion], up 2%.

Several industries have emerged as major drivers of diversification, including manufacturing which contributed a record QR69.3 billion [US$19 billion] to the economy in 2025. The financial sector also expanded, supported by the Qatar Investment Authority’s Fund of Funds program, to US$3 billion to support venture capital and startups.

Infrastructure developments included Hamad Port, where nearly half of total throughput in 2025 came from transshipment activity, and Hamad International Airport, which raised its capacity to more than 65 million passengers annually.

The data also cited ongoing diversification efforts under Qatar National Vision 2030, including expanded private-sector financing, logistics development, and growth in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, tourism, and financial services.

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