Qatar's population increased by 5.3% in September

Qatar's population reached 2.187mn in September, a rise of 5.3% compared to August when it touched 2.077mn, according to the ninth issue of the Qatar: Monthly Statistics bulletin.

The publication, released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, revealed that around 6,500 private vehicles were registered in September, up from the 4,500 in August.

The number of Qataris dependent on state assistance (social security) totalled 14,000 in September this year, official figures released yesterday showed.

And the assistance totalled QR60m in the month, up 152 percent from August when it was QR24m.

The increase in amounts for various categories of beneficiaries was ordered by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The number of beneficiaries increased by 1.5 percent in the month, according to the data published by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics in the ninth issue of its monthly bulletin.

It also included data on population, social and economic statistics in September.

The number of driver's licences issued to nationals and residents increased by about 85.4 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively. The total number of new driver's licences issued in September went up by about 117 percent compared to August.

Around 6,500 private vehicles were registered in September against 4,500 in August.

The population reached 2.187 million last month, registering a rise of 5.3 percent compared to August when it was 2.077 million.

The number of marriage certificates issued increased to 360 in September from 261 in August, and the number of divorce cases in the month nearly doubled to 142 compared to 77 in August.

On the economic front, the bulletin says September-August Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation, remained stable at 118.9 points.

There was a 33 percent increase in the number of commercial registration certificates issued in September, including 539 main commercial registration certificates and 577 sub-commercial registration certificates.

Total electricity generated slumped by about 6 percent in September compared to August, understandably on account of summer vacation, when most people travel outside and economic activities witness slow down.

Among main exporting destinations, Japan came first with over QR8bn, followed by South Korea and India with QR6.3bn and QR5bn, respectively.

Maximum imports were from the US at QR1.4bn. China and Germany stood at second and third with QR1bn and QR757bn, respectively.

Government online transactions increased. Exit letter transaction was the highest with over 97,000 followed by residency renewal with 90,000, and income account services of the Customs Authority, with over 50,000.

Source: The Peninsula and Gulf Times