Qatari household spending on the rise
Doha, June 15, 2014
A huge rise in Qatari household expenditure and a shift in its pattern was found by a survey, said a report.
The latest Qatar ‘Social Statistics 2003-2012’ survey by the Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics, revealed that the average monthly expenditure for Qatari households increased by 82.2 per cent, said the Peninsula report.
Housing took up the biggest share with 29.3 per cent of the total expenditure per month, followed by transport expenditure, different good and services expenses, it said.
The sectors where the proportion of Qatari households’ expenditure increased included culture, recreation and transport, while food and drinks decreased.
The survey also found that there was a 45.9 per cent increase in the average monthly household expenditure for non-Qataris, with the largest expenses being housing, including water, electricity and fuel.
It took up 31 per cent of total expenditure, which was followed by transport at 14.2 per cent and food and beverages at 13.8 per cent.
Qatari households have also moved from the lower expenditure categories to the upper ones as a result of rising income and improved standards of living, said the report.
Meanwhile, current transfers from government constitutes six per cent of the income, in contract to 0.5 per cent in 2001. These transfers were in the form of periodic social assistance, government grants, assistance for widows, divorced women and disabled, and pensions, it said.
Wages and salaries were the conventional source of income for non-Qatari households, representing 95.9 per cent, it added.
