Qatar – Population rise poses challenges
Qatar has experienced a demographic explosion in the past five years, with the population more than doubling in size to 1.6 million in late 2009
This surge is the result of the influx of expatriate workers brought in to develop the many projects intended to diversify the economy.
The $18bn gas-to-liquids facility being developed by UK/Dutch Shell Group is a prime example – as many as 48,000 people work on it at any one time.
While imported labour is essential if Qatar is to develop a modern economy, the huge number of immigrants has brought challenges.
The balance of the population has become distorted, with men far outnumbering women, housing in short supply and public services under immense strain.
The authorities have responded by directing more spending into building infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and power stations to cope with the burgeoning population.
More than $220bn worth of projects are currently planned or under way in Qatar, meaning the need for foreign workers will continue for many years yet.
But the big question is what happens once the work is done. Unless many of them make the peninsula their permanent home, at some point Qatar’s population could drop as sharply as it has risen and the country will be left with far more infrastructure than it needs.
http://www.meed.com/sectors/economy/government/special-report-qatar-popu...
50 years from now ?
Who knows, may be the globalization will be so advanced by then that nationality or citizenship or even statehood does not matter anymore.
50 years from now, may be the whole GCC countries (plus Iran, Iraq and Yemen) decided to merge into one economy like the EU or even one country. Look at 50 years ago, how many countries had formed, merged and split since.
50 Years from now, may be India along with its South Asian neighbors are the global powerhouse economy, so majority of current expats will go home on their own free will.
50 years from now, may be the earth had been destroyed by an accidental or intentional nuclear war or the worse scenario of global warming really occur.... who can tell...
Cheers
SK
200000 Qatari cant manage to pull it off not with 8 wifes 10 - 15 years from now .... allah yr7am 80s/90s golden era
the qatarization program they have. Maybe 10-15 years from now, more qataris are well-educated enough, there'd be no need of expats' expertise.
heero, I think you have a point. They just demolished a buidling (which was in good condition) behind my office to build a hotel. I guess its oil money so who cares.
They already did. Plenty were born and grew up here with parents staying here for about 30 years or more and had been their home and economy. And since it's their economy they will not let it close any of their business establishments some non-locals had made and sponsored in this country.
But the big question is what happens once the work is done.
No. Somebody will try something to make it continue working...even if it means they have to create a build-demolish-build cycle of certain worthless infrastructures.
I just wanted to say that if they really are willing to properly push the Qatarization plans, make it happen, ok? And I hope it doesn't stray again to some other hidden 'hindrances'.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
have Qatar's population under 1 million..........
it doesn't bother me. I might retire after 5-10 yrs from now:)
This is a very good and valid question to ask...
I guess the 48,000 people wont double at the Gas companies. Since Qatar has almost finished most of its Gas works or maybe all the work on it by 2012 to 2015.
Although Qatar is such a small country there is so much space for it to accept infrastructure developments...metro is one example....
but...still after some time say 25 or 50yrs there will not be many "new projects"....that is when the expat drain will start.
The expatriates that have done their part will leave and new set of expatriates will be brought into replace them. Realistically speaking , a local population of 200-230,000 will not be enough to run the country. So there wont be a drastic drop.
It leaves a question:
what happens once the work is done. Unless many of them make the peninsula their permanent home, at some point Qatar’s population could drop as sharply as it has risen and the country will be left with far more infrastructure than it needs.
---
Unless some expats will be granted with citizenship? however,I doubt it.