Dimensions and contributing factors
Western immigrations
Qatar’s population has more than doubled in the last ten years. According to Qatar’s ministry of the municipality and urban planning, the population is expected to be over 3 million people by 2026. The growth is largely attributed to western immigration as a result of the region’s economic growth. This is evident from the fact that Qatar’s native population numbers only 200,000 (Hyslop 12). By 2030, analysts expect the population to start decreasing again or grow very slowly. This is from the assumption that most projects in the region will be complete and investors might start migrating to other new markets. As economies mature, population growth rates in the corresponding regions tend to moderate.
A big population of immigrants is involved in building Qatar’s infrastructure and different housing projects. When these projects are done, they are all bound to return home or relocate to different markets. A big presence of immigrants is a result of the fact that locals are not well trained for the job opportunities coming up. The country still lacks trained professionals in industries coming up and has to rely on foreign labor. As time goes by, more locals are being trained in different professions and they will start taking over jobs held by immigrants.
The energy industry has also attracted a big number of immigrants. Almost half of the foreign human resources are involved in building the region’s energy infrastructure. The state has incredible energy potential and is seen as being likely to outperform other oil producers in the region. As a result, it is investing heavily in gas facilities which have attracted a lot of foreign attention and investors. Being a young market in the oil industry, many foreign investors have had to bring their own professionals and personnel. Its young energy industry thus contributes much to the population growth.
Birth rate
The birth rate in Qatar had remained almost constant from 1998 to 2004 after which it has been growing even though it has been at a very slow pace. Since 2004, the state has been experiencing higher birth rates than the world average. In Doha for example, there are over 16,000 births each year, a very high number compared to its population size (Ali and Hassan 10). The international standards would give 11,000 as a normal number for a population like that of Doha. The increment is attributed to an increase in the state’s population and an increased number of people using the infertility clinics’ services.
The decline in population, a big concern for many developing nations is not a concern for Qatar. Compared to other developing countries in Europe and Arab nations, the state is experiencing an above-average birth rate. This trend is also attributed to improved women hospitals and maternity services reducing the number of child or mother mortality during birth. Prenatal and postnatal care services which have not been a priority in the country are taking a big part of the budget today. As a result, there are minimized death rates of mothers during birth and infants.
According to Dr. Al Rifai, chairman of obstetricians association in Qatar, the country is enjoying a very positive reputation on an international level, making it very easy for the state to hire the best medical professions from all over the world (United Nations Dept. of Economics and Social Affairs 35). The country has recently invested heavily in hiring the best obstetricians and pediatricians in the world, as well as training their own doctors by offering to fund medical students. The state has also been funding a lot of research projects on newborn babies to identify metabolic diseases (Pulsipher and Alex 40). Circumcision for newborns which has been done at home traditionally is now offered in hospitals and conducted by senior physicians. Baby clinics offer services such as screening for vision, cardiac disease and jaundice, all of which are required by the department of health regulations.
Recently, Qatar Red Crescent, a national health organization got into an agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide them with $ 520,000 worth of medical equipment to help expectant mothers and infants have better health (Winckler 112). The country is said to have received in excess of $1.5 million in donations from other organizations so far to improve their mother and child healthcare. Such initiatives have considerably reduced the mortality rates among infants and expectant mothers. Infertility rates have also reduced as the country sets up more clinics to address people who may be facing challenges trying to conceive. All these efforts put together have left the country growing at a faster rate than it did ten years ago in terms of population.
Death rate
The death rate in a country does impact the population growth rate. The overall death rate in Qatar has reduced by half since 2003. Today, the country has a death rate of 2.44 deaths/ 1,000 population per year compared to 4.43 deaths in 2003 (Nafi 412). This has been attributed to improved health care in the country and information availability over health matters. It is also a result of an improved economy, allowing people to access better health services, eat well and live more comfortably. The rates seem to be a bit high in poor neighborhoods as the nation is still working on spreading the benefits of a good economy to all the regions of the country.
Infant mortality rate has also reduced, now standing at 12.24 births for every 1,000 births (Qatar Information Exchange 3). This is a tremendous improvement from 2003 where the number stood at 21 infant deaths for every 1,000 born. The infant mortality rate for male children seems to be higher than that of girls. 13 boys die for every 1,000 born while that number stands at 11 for girls. The reduced number of infant mortality is attributed to improved prenatal and postnatal health care. Education levels and exposure among women have improved, making it easier for them to take care of their children in an informed way.
Healthcare and reproductive health
According to the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC, the quality of healthcare in Qatar is much better than that of the USA and other countries in western Europe (2). The same report reveals that it was recently ranked at the top of the per capita health expenditure in the gulf region. Its efforts have gone far in reducing the crude death rates. In 2005, their ministry of health was replaced by the National Health Authority which is responsible for their public health institutions. The state has health centers set all over along highways to ensure easy access to medical care. Their healthcare is available to everyone including tourists and expatriates and is of excellent standards. Making healthcare available has reduced mortality rates and as a result, the population continues to grow.
Qatar has put a lot of effort into developing its preventive medical care and the fight against contagious diseases. The country became the first to add influenza on their list of vaccines given to babies, making their list of vaccines the most comprehensive (Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC 2). There are centers set in different regions to fight non-communicable diseases such as accidents, nutrition and addictions. Their response systems ensure that minimum time is taken to respond to accidents and other medical catastrophes to minimize fatalities. As a result, its citizens and visitors experience one of the best medical care services in the world and death rates are minimized.
Reproductive health has been made better by opening infertility clinics to help couples who may be having a hard time conceiving as a result of medical conditions. Improved response to expectant mothers when they are ready to deliver and access to hospitals all ensure that the risk they are exposed to at such times is minimized. Medical services for locals have very subsidized costs and are almost free in many public hospitals. Their biggest general hospital is the Hamad General Hospital which is equipped with modern technology and professionals to extend the best medical care to the people of Qatar. It is no wonder the country has very minimized death rates, especially those resulting from easily treatable diseases.
Standards of living
Qatar’s standards of living have substantially improved in the last ten years. The state has posted a surplus in its budget for eight consecutive years starting 2000 to 2008 (International Chambers of Commerce 34). Oil and gas account for half of Qatar’s budget as the industry continues to enjoy favorable investments from both locals and foreigners. It is now the second on the list of countries with the highest per-capita income. As a result of this, the country today has a high standard of living while its citizens enjoy all amenities that people in modern states do.
Improved standards of living, availability of job opportunities and good salaries have given the people of Qatar access to the best medical care. It has made it possible for them to afford good foods and take care of their nutritional needs. Since more people are able to take care of their basic needs, levels of depression and other psychological conditions are minimized (Zuhair 30). Qatar has fitness centers with the most modern equipment, mainly put in place to cater to tourists and foreign professionals working in the region. Locals have therefore benefited from them too and have learned the importance of physical fitness. Certain illnesses can then be avoided and the number of years the locals are living in is increased.
Data from: Qatar Information Exchange.
Conclusion
From the graph above, it is clear that Qatar has had a positive population growth rate since 1960 to date. The population has more than doubled from the year 2000. Several factors have contributed to this rapid growth. The country now enjoys a healthy economy which allows its population good standards of living. They are able to access good medical care in well-developed public and private hospitals. Qatar’s healthcare system is considered among the best in the world. It is easily accessible to all and well developed to take care of the population. The small population makes it easy for the state to take care of its people in terms of health. Hospitals are located along highways, making them easily accessible. It is also notable that the country has invested much in preventive healthcare minimizing the number of medical conditions in the state. All these factors reduce mortality rates and prolong the number of years that old people live to.
Reproductive health is a priority to the government of Qatar. The infant mortality rate has been on the decrease for the last ten years. The number of deaths during birth has also been reduced due to good medical developments. Fertility clinics assist people who may experience challenges when trying to conceive all of which adds up to positive population growth.
Immigrants are perhaps the biggest contributor to Qatar’s population growth. Immigrants make up for more than half the state’s population today. With time, a big number of them are expected to return to their home or relocate when Qatar’s economy reaches the maturity stage. Locals who are now embracing education will be able to serve as professionals in different institutions and take over immigrants’ jobs. At this point, the population growth is expected to slow down.
As the population grows, so do birth rates increase. Even after the immigrants are gone, the growth is expected to slow down but it is not expected to stop. It is therefore expected that Qatar’s population upward trend will continue. The country seems to have enough opportunities for its people and therefore, such fast population growth is not a challenge for the state right now.
Works cited
Ali, Mohannadi and Hassan Ibrahim. Sustainable Social Development Indicators in The State of Qatar: Status and Prospects. The State of Qatar: The Permanent Population Committee, 2008. Print.
Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC. Health care in Qatar, 2009. Web.
Hyslop, Leah. “Qatar population booms as the economy grows.” The Telegraph. Web.
International Chambers of Commerce. Middle East Review: The Economic and Business Report. London: Kogan Page, 2003. Print.
Nafi, Zuhair. Economic and Social Development in Qatar. London: Pinter Publishers, 2008. Print.
Pulsipher, Lydia and Alex Pulsipher. World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives. New York: W.H. Freeman, 2008. Print.
Qatar Information Exchange. Population Growth Rate, 2010. Web.
United Nations Dept. of Economics and Social Affairs. World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision. New York: United Nations, 2010. Print.
Winckler, Onn. Population Growth, Migration and Socio-Demographic Policies in Qatar. Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv University Press, 2000. Print.
Zuhair, Nalsi. Population and Social Development in Qatar. New York: Routledge Publishers, 2009. Print.