It is natural for Qatar to have inflation, this is because of the economic and population boom..
Now let's look at salary increases as well
Qatar = 11.1%
Japan = 2.4%
US = 1.9%
China = 3%
Korea = 5%
India = 4.6%
So yes there is inflation, but there is also salary increases to cope with that.
If a coke went from QR 1 to 5 QR but my boss gave me 10 QR to buy the coke, I'd be happy :P
The only issue in Qatar is with rent, and I'm confident that the issue will be solved.
Qatar has worked so hard to get a great image and to try and become one of the best developing nations there is, you can be sure they will never Jeopardize all the hard work that has gone into it.
@moonbeam
I'm half Qatari and I'm half British. I've lived in the UK for over 5 years and have travelled to many countries to experience different living standards and styles. So my opinions aren't based on simply a patriotic level. It's my honest to goodness experience.
I agree with alot of what you say, however you CANNOT argue some of your points.
You are saying that imported food is expensive. That's the case with ALL countries.
I love Pocari sweat for example. (It's a Japanese drink). In Qatar it costs QR 2. In England it costs QR 10!!! an in Japan it costs QR 1.
So specially imported food is naturally high and cannot be included in cost of living.
Insurance can be expensive, but not just for expats, it's for nationals too. Some companies will pay for insurnace included within your monthly salary however, if not, my best suggestion is to go with an international insurance company and buy it online directly from the US websites. (You can save 70% that way ;) )
As for rent, as I've said, I'm confident that everything will level off. Qatar is in it's booming stage. Everything is developing so fast as everyone has said. Inflation is natural to all countries in this stage and it's not permanent :P
As for internet fees. It's not a Qatar thing either....
In the UK I pay 40 Pounds for retricted 1MB connect, that's around QR60 right? AND I have to be tied to BT (British Telecom) for 1 year!
It's QR40 for 2mb in Qatar...
There was a thread on a website called Neowin.net where people were comparing internet prices around the world.
Qatar was number 17 in terms of cheapness.
I really wish we could have the cheap internet of South Korea (QR 5 for a 15mb connection) but give Qatar the chance it deserves.
As more people are encouraged to visit, the country will thrive, competition will arrive, and prices will drop dramatically ^_^
I'm sorry for my long answer but I try to give people an answer which looks at all angles. I'm not biased and to be honest at a point I was a bit ashamed of being Qatari (when it was a dessert wasteland) but now I think people were so used to such a great life, that change is causing panic.
(It is natural for a country to take care of it's people don't forget)
__________________________
I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net <-- Cost of Living, Visas, Saftey Info, Pictures, Videos, and more!
Qatarisun, sorry but you are saying that inflation in stores is increasing by 90% a day. That is surely an exaggeration.
I compared prices in a simple table on iloveqatar.net I compared US, UK, China, and Japan with the latest figures.
You are saying though that people who have 3000QR (after bills, expenses (such as rent and food) ) are living in Poverty? 3000QR??
That's more than most people have in ANY country AFTER bills and expeneses.
Inflation is increasing at a rate of 6.8% lets compare with some other countries.
2006-2007
Qatar = 6.8%
Japan = 5% (Japan recovered)
US = 2.97%
China = 9.7%!!
Korea = 3%
India = 4.7%
Good link for Qatar inflation.
http://www.ameinfo.com/73177.html
It is natural for Qatar to have inflation, this is because of the economic and population boom..
Now let's look at salary increases as well
Qatar = 11.1%
Japan = 2.4%
US = 1.9%
China = 3%
Korea = 5%
India = 4.6%
So yes there is inflation, but there is also salary increases to cope with that.
If a coke went from QR 1 to 5 QR but my boss gave me 10 QR to buy the coke, I'd be happy :P
The only issue in Qatar is with rent, and I'm confident that the issue will be solved.
Qatar has worked so hard to get a great image and to try and become one of the best developing nations there is, you can be sure they will never Jeopardize all the hard work that has gone into it.
@moonbeam
I'm half Qatari and I'm half British. I've lived in the UK for over 5 years and have travelled to many countries to experience different living standards and styles. So my opinions aren't based on simply a patriotic level. It's my honest to goodness experience.
I agree with alot of what you say, however you CANNOT argue some of your points.
You are saying that imported food is expensive. That's the case with ALL countries.
I love Pocari sweat for example. (It's a Japanese drink). In Qatar it costs QR 2. In England it costs QR 10!!! an in Japan it costs QR 1.
So specially imported food is naturally high and cannot be included in cost of living.
Insurance can be expensive, but not just for expats, it's for nationals too. Some companies will pay for insurnace included within your monthly salary however, if not, my best suggestion is to go with an international insurance company and buy it online directly from the US websites. (You can save 70% that way ;) )
As for rent, as I've said, I'm confident that everything will level off. Qatar is in it's booming stage. Everything is developing so fast as everyone has said. Inflation is natural to all countries in this stage and it's not permanent :P
As for internet fees. It's not a Qatar thing either....
In the UK I pay 40 Pounds for retricted 1MB connect, that's around QR60 right? AND I have to be tied to BT (British Telecom) for 1 year!
It's QR40 for 2mb in Qatar...
There was a thread on a website called Neowin.net where people were comparing internet prices around the world.
Qatar was number 17 in terms of cheapness.
I really wish we could have the cheap internet of South Korea (QR 5 for a 15mb connection) but give Qatar the chance it deserves.
As more people are encouraged to visit, the country will thrive, competition will arrive, and prices will drop dramatically ^_^
I'm sorry for my long answer but I try to give people an answer which looks at all angles. I'm not biased and to be honest at a point I was a bit ashamed of being Qatari (when it was a dessert wasteland) but now I think people were so used to such a great life, that change is causing panic.
(It is natural for a country to take care of it's people don't forget)
__________________________
I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net <-- Cost of Living, Visas, Saftey Info, Pictures, Videos, and more!