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A concerted effort to improve health care delivery in Qatar has created a system characterised by strong public and private investment, innovative technologies and a high standard of care. In the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, published by the UK think tank Legatum Institute, Qatar ranked 39th out of 167 countries and second in the MENA region in terms of health. The ranking was an improvement on 48th place in 2019, reflecting the health system’s successful navigation of recent challenges. Even as Qatar focused on a Covid-19 vaccine campaign in 2021, initiatives to further develop the sector continued apace, including efforts to address the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases. This chapter contains an interview with Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health and Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation.

Decades of concerted investment in education have helped Qatar create a qualified workforce equipped with the skills needed to succeed in growing professions. The country’s literacy rate in 2019 was 99.2% of individuals 15 years old and above, while the gross enrolment rates for primary, preparatory and secondary education are all around 100% – a reflection of the mission to provide education for all. Education, research and training are key components of Qatar National Vision 2030. One goal of the vision is to increase the number of educational facilities from 354 schools in 2012/13 to 482 in 2018/19 and 524 in 2023/24. In line with the growth set out under the roadmap, the contribution of the education sector to GDP increased from 1.3% in 2012/13 to 3.3% in 2018/19.

Travel and tourism was one of the hardest-hit sectors globally in 2020 and early 2021 as the Covid-19 pandemic swept around the world, and the situation in Qatar was no different. However, reflecting the gains made in the tourism industry in previous years, the opening months of 2020 saw a strong performance in terms of arrivals – so much so that when travel began to normalise in 2021, total arrivals for the first three quarters were still higher in 2020 than in 2021. Despite subdued sector activity for most of 2020 and 2021, Qatar has been gearing up for what is expected to be a banner year for tourism in 2022 – starting with a full cruise schedule at Doha Port for the 2021/22 season. This chapter contains interviews with Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman, Al Faisal Holding; Nasser Al Khater, CEO, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar; and Ahmad Al Namla, CEO, Qatar Museums.

Qatar is prioritising the development of its ICT sector as it aims to transform into a knowledge-based economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Human resource development is critical to the authorities’ goal of becoming a regional leader in ICT, and local talent stands to benefit from partnerships between educational institutions and global tech firms aimed at bolstering innovation. Growth in ICT will be driven by the country’s extensive pipeline of large-scale, government-led infrastructure projects in transport and energy, as well as by innovation in the financial services, retail and health sectors. Chief among these developments is the Lusail smart city project.

A steady decline in sale and rent prices since 2016 was accelerated in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to strong activity in property transactions. The lower prices – reflected in various indices – was not seen as cause for alarm in the sector, however, but a welcome market correction that is allowing Qatari properties to compete with other GCC markets on value. Healthy property trade continued into 2021. While the total value of real estate transactions was lower in 2021 than in 2020, the volume was higher. This was supported by new government rules on foreign property ownership and sustained low interest rates on mortgages. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Managing Director, Quetaifan Projects.

The construction sector is nearing the end of a decade of building, as developing infrastructure directly and indirectly related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup has taken centre stage since 2011. Focus is now shifting to legacy plans for stadia sites, as well as non-tournament projects that facilitate the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Recent milestones that will positively shape the sector in the coming years include the passage of the dedicated Public-Private Partnership Law and measures related to private sector labour protections, which should have a significant impact for construction workers. The growing emphasis on sustainability in building is also shaping activity, as is the use of digital technologies in the planning, construction and operation of infrastructure as smart city concepts move to the fore.

This chapter contains an interview with Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President, Public Works Authority (Ashghal).