Qatar’s health expenditure to surge 14% by 2029

DOHA: Qatar s healthcare industry is poised for rapid expansion, with total health spending projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR)...

DOHA: Qatar’s healthcare industry is poised for rapid expansion, with total health spending projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 percent by 2029, reaching $11.5bn (QR42bn), according to a recent report by Fitch Solutions.

Health experts note that this growth would make Qatar the third-largest healthcare market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the tenth-largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Despite these impressive figures, analysts at Fitch Solutions stress that Qatar’s overall market opportunities are challenging compared to other regional players. This is primarily due to the country’s small population size and modest short-term economic growth prospects.

“The numbers show a healthy trajectory, but we must be careful not to confuse high growth rates with large-scale opportunity,” said Dr. Lisa Kurian, a Doha-based public health specialist. “Qatar’s small population means we are working with a narrower base, even if spending per capita is among the highest in the region.”

Government investment, driven by the National Development Strategy 2024–2030, continues to underpin the growth in public health expenditure. Meanwhile, the private sector is benefiting from strong per capita health spending and ongoing public-private partnerships.