Qatar Sets 2026 Budget at QR 220.8B — Here’s Where the Funds Will Be Spent

Qatar’s Ministry of Finance has unveiled the State Budget for 2026, totaling QR 220.8 billion, with strong commitments to public services, infrastructure, and private sector engagement. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in store.

Big Numbers and Key Allocations

The total expenditure for 2026 is QR 220.8 billion, distributed as:

• Salaries & Wages: QR 69.5 billion

• Current Expenditures: QR 81.5 billion

• Minor Capital Expenditures: QR 7 billion

• Major Capital Expenditures: QR 62.8 billion

Major sector allocations include:

• Education: QR 21.8 billion

• Health: QR 25.4 billion (up from QR 22 billion in 2025)

• Municipality & Environment: QR 22.2 billion

• Sports: QR 7.6 billion

• Commercial Affairs & Transportation: QR 4.1 billion each

• Communications: QR 3.8 billion

• Social Services: QR 2.8 billion

Revenues and Fiscal Approach

Total expected revenues for 2026: QR 199 billion

• Oil & Gas: QR 155 billion

• Non-Oil: QR 44 billion

The government is taking a conservative approach, using an average oil price of USD 55 per barrel to ensure spending stability and fiscal flexibility.

Private Sector and Government Contracts

The 2026 government contracting plan includes:

• Ashghal (Public Works Authority): QR 49 billion

• Kahramaa: QR 7.2 billion

• Ministry of Public Health: QR 2.6 billion

• Ministry of Education: QR 2.3 billion

A total of 4,464 tenders worth over QR 70 billion will be offered to the private sector, with initiatives to promote local products and boost the value of national content in government procurement by at least 10% annually.

Third National Development Strategy

Qatar has allocated QR 32.7 billion to implement the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), covering seven strategic outcomes:

• Sustainable economic growth: QR 10.8 billion

• Outstanding government institutions: QR 3.1 billion

• Environmental sustainability: QR 0.9 billion

• Financial sustainability: QR 1.3 billion

• Future-ready workforce: QR 0.9 billion

• Cohesive society: QR 0.6 billion

• High quality of life: QR 4 billion

Economic Outlook

• GDP Growth 2025: 2.9% (IMF estimate)

• Non-Hydrocarbon GDP: +4.4%

• Hydrocarbon GDP: +0.1%

• Inflation: 0.7% (low by regional standards)

• Tourism: 4.4 million visitors by November 2025

HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari emphasized that Qatar’s credit rating remains among the best globally, reflecting fiscal discipline, strategic planning, and confidence in the economy.