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The National Planning Council said Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon gross domestic product grew 2.6 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. This expansion continued a trend of positive performance in diversified sectors despite regional disruptions to trade routes and supply chains that raised transport and insurance costs. The council’s statement highlighted the flexibility of these activities in supporting economic stability.
Real estate led sectoral gains with an 11 percent rise, adding 1.438 billion Qatari riyals and 1.2 percentage points to non-hydrocarbon growth, according to the National Planning Council. Financial and insurance activities increased 8.3 percent, contributing 1.356 billion riyals or 1.1 percentage points. Construction and building posted 5.5 percent growth, adding 1.178 billion riyals equivalent to 1 percentage point. Human health and social work activities grew 10.2 percent, the council’s breakdown showed.
The National Planning Council data places the overall real GDP contraction at 15.7 percent for the quarter, the largest fall since 2019, driven by a 50.7 percent plunge in mining and quarrying which makes up 20.1 percent of the economy. Non-hydrocarbon segments accounted for 79.9 percent of GDP and delivered the 2.6 percent advance. At current prices, GDP decreased 11.6 percent to 170.5 billion riyals.
This latest figure follows 3.5 percent non-hydrocarbon growth in the first quarter of 2026, the National Planning Council reported in August. In that period, construction, wholesale trade, real estate and financial services were the main contributors. The non-hydrocarbon economy’s share of total output has increased markedly over time.
Qatar Central Bank Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani noted in September that the non-hydrocarbon portion now constitutes about 70 percent of gross domestic product, up from 40 percent in 2011. The official linked the progress to diversification efforts that have enhanced economic resilience. Such developments have also helped improve the country’s fiscal metrics, with debt reduced to 40 percent of GDP.
The National Planning Council release arrived as the country navigates ongoing regional challenges. Quarterly GDP fell 10.3 percent from the previous three-month period. The figures provide an updated snapshot of progress toward a more balanced economic structure.
