Between 2016 and 2026, Qatar’s government steadily transformed the country’s health care system through the introduction of long-term policies, high levels of private investment and a greater openness to private participation. The development of advanced medical facilities, the recruitment of skilled health care professionals and the deployment of advanced technologies have significantly improved patient outcomes. While, the prevalence of chronic diseases has increased as Qatar responds to the needs of an ageing population, this trend is increasingly being addressed through a preventative care approach, supported by national awareness campaigns. Moreover, the country has made strides in reducing communicable disease rates through universal immunisation programmes.
Structure & Oversight
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is the government agency responsible for planning, regulating and developing the health care sector in Qatar. The MoPH creates health policies and strategies, and promotes public health through methods such as prevention and awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, the Health Facilities Licensing and Accreditation Department of the MoPH is responsible for health care licensing in the country. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, introduced the National Health Strategy (NHS) 2024-30 to continue building on the progress made during the implementation of the National Health Strategy 2018-22. The NHS 2024-30 aims to improve population health, enhance service delivery and make health systems more efficient. Some of the main objectives outlined in the most recent iteration of the strategy include increasing life expectancy to 82.6 years, reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases by 36% and cutting infant mortality to two per 1000 live births.
Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, launched in 2008, is an overarching development strategy focused on economic growth and improving the quality of life for Qataris. QNV 2030 guides policy creation for each key sector and helped drive the development of the NHS 2024-30. QNV 2030 highlights the need to diversify away from oil and gas and emphasises the development of Qatar’s workforce by establishing advanced education and health care systems to support economic growth across key sectors. It sets the target of developing a modern, innovation-driven health care system that offers universal health care coverage to Qataris, managed to world-class standards. The government also aims to develop a system that will “meet the needs of existing and future generations and provide for an increasingly healthy and lengthy life for all citizens”.
The introduction of Law No. 12 of 2020 on the regulation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has increased private-sector participation in line with the aims outlined in QNV 2030. Moreover, the introduction of several policy updates in recent years has supported sectoral expansion, with new licensing rules aimed at enhancing the quality of service and health insurance mandates expanding the adoption of private health care services for foreigners.
Qatar allocated QR22bn ($6bn) to health care in 2025, representing around 10.5% of the total national budget. The 2026 general budget allocates QR25.4bn ($6.9bn) to health care, marking an increase from the previous year. The government’s spending on health care is expected to climb to between $12.8bn and $12.9bn by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13-14%, a pace that puts Qatar among the fastest-expanding health care markets the GCC. The government aims to achieve universal health care, with Qatari’s eligible virtually free or highly subsidised health care at government-run facilities. Expatriates can also receive care through a national health card system and mandated employer-sponsored health insurance.
General Health Indicators
High levels of public investment in Qatar’s health system have improved health outcomes in the last decade, as the government delivered greater access to improved health services. This has led to a rise in life expectancy from 76 years in 2003 to 82 years in 2023. Immunisation rates have also improved in recent years, as the government has invested in expanding coverage and promoting vaccination campaigns across the country. Immunisation against measles increased from 79% of children from 12 to 23 months in 1990 to 99% in 2024.
The prevalence of maternal and infant mortality has decreased significantly in recent years as coverage and health services have continued to improve. The maternal mortality rate fell from 11 per 100,000 live births in 2003 to four per 100,000 in 2023, while the infant mortality rate decreased from nine per 1000 live births in 2003 to five per 1000 in 2023. In addition, in 2026 the Numbeo Health Care Index ranked Qatar first in the region and 18th globally, reflecting the continued advancement of the country’s health care sector and its position as a leader in the region.
Disease Burden
The disease burden in Qatar has shifted in line with the change in the country’s demographics. An expanding and ageing population means that coverage has had to grow and adapt to different health needs. Between 2014 and 2024, for example, Qatar’s population grew from 2.2m to 2.9m, driven by the influx of expatriate workers.
An ageing population and lifestyle changes have prompted a rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses, which now account for 72% of all deaths, according to a September 2025 report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Social and lifestyle changes have led to increased rates of obesity and diabetes, placing greater pressure on health services. Over 70% of adults in Qatar were overweight or obese, and more than 600,000 people aged between 30 and 79 suffered from hypertension as of 2025, many of whom remain undiagnosed. The MoPH has responded to the rise by focusing the NHS 2024-30 on tackling NCDs and supporting public policies to prevent and control them. It launched several strategies to reduce NCD rates, including prevention campaigns, early detection services and partnerships with other institutions to raise awareness. Greater cross-sector collaboration could help better tackle NCDs consistent with WHO recommendations under its Global Action Plan for NCDs (2013-30).
To help address some of these issues, the government has introduced taxes on sugar and energy drinks, reduced salt in bread by 30% and created national dietary guidelines for adults, children and mothers. Qatar has also ratified the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and banned e-cigarettes. The introduction of the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-26 is expected to improve the prevention, early detection and evidence-based management of various types of cancer.
In addition to introducing public health policies that address population needs, the government has invested in stronger surveillance systems to better understand the evolving health care landscape. Qatar has repeated the WHO STEP wise risk-factor survey, which monitors NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, as well as biological markers, to track trends, identify gaps and target resources. However, although NCDs have risen, the prevalence of communicable diseases has decreased, with the cause of death by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutritional conditions falling from 7% of the total in 2000 to 5% in 2019. There have also been significant advances in medical research and disease prevention, supported by government funding. For example, the Qatar Research Council awarded a $1.7m grant to the company Lillia, enabling health care providers and insurers to use its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform to manage chronic diseases effectively.
Meanwhile, in March 2025 the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Centre in Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council to enhance Qatar’s health care research and innovation ecosystem. The collaboration aims to establish frameworks for sustainable health care research, development and innovation, as well as to develop international and local collaborations. In addition, in December 2025 specialist women’s and children’s hospital Sidra Medicine has established a partnership with US-based Arbor Biotechnologies to develop Qatar’s first CRISPR platform for rare diseases, thereby positioning Qatar as a regional genomics research and investment destination.
Public Health Sector
Public health care in Qatar has expanded in line with rising health sector investment, which has supported the construction of new hospitals and medical centres, training for medical staff and the integration of new technologies and medical equipment into facilities across Qatar.
The total number of hospital beds in Qatar reached an estimated 5385 in 2025, with approximately 72% of those in government hospitals. The number of private health sector beds has historically been low in comparison, rising marginally from 327 in 2017 to 358 in 2019.
Access To Care
While the government has striven to improve health care access in recent years, a notable gap remains between urban and rural areas. Around 39% of Qatar’s health care facilities are in the capital, Doha, followed by 16% in the second-largest municipality, Al Rayyan. As part of ongoing efforts to expand access, Qatari nationals are now permitted to use their national ID card instead of a separate health card to access public health care facilities.
Hamad Medical Corporation recorded a higher number of outpatient visits in 2025, at 1.5m, compared to 1.4m in 2024, reflecting the growing need for medical services. To respond to the needs of a growing population, the government has welcomed increased private investment in the health sector by establishing several PPPs, with 12 major PPP hospitals either operational or under construction. The new hospitals are expected to provide 1200 beds once complete. One of the main barriers to attracting foreign investors to Qatar’s health sector is the regulatory structure, as foreign operators navigating local requirements for facility approval, data management and professional registration can face a process that is at times complex.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has invested in network expansion and upgrades to support the growing demand. The opening of the Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital has boosted the public system’s inpatient and specialist health service capacity. Meanwhile, Hamad General Hospital is undergoing a three-year modernisation project, which commenced in 2025. Phase One includes the renovation of two inpatient towers and upgrades to core infrastructure, while the hospital continues to operate some services.
Several specialist and telemedicine clinics have opened, including Sidra Medicine’s dedicated Haematology and Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant ward, which is expected to advance Qatar’s paediatric oncology and transplant services. The Primary Health Care Corporation has also expanded its teleconsultation services by launching the Nar’aakom digital platform. A Primary Health Care Corporation survey on telehealth found that 83% of patients found virtual consultations easy to use, while 80% felt their concerns were addressed remotely. This has gone hand in hand with the expansion of Qatar’s digital health services. The government invested approximately $1.5bn in digital health initiatives as part of its NHS 2018-22. Qatar’s digital health market is now valued at an estimated $580m. The NHS also emphasises the implementation of electronic health records across public facilities.
Greater investment in hospital technology has supported system digitalisation and the adoption of cutting-edge medical equipment. The public hospital Sidra Medicine performed Qatar’s first paediatric allogeneic stem cell transplant in 2025 and opened a gene therapy centre for genomic and precision medicine initiatives. However, cybersecurity concerns remain a barrier to the greater uptake of digital technologies, with some 70% of health care providers expressing concern about data breaches, according to a 2025 study from India-based market intelligence firm Ken Research. This is driven by a perceived lack of robust cybersecurity measures, resulting in incidents in which sensitive patient information was compromised.
Private Health Provision
Following the launch of QNV 2030, which stressed the importance of private participation in key sectors and the passing of the 2020 PPP law, private health care has begun to expand and is expected to grow over the decade to 2036. The introduction of a compulsory health insurance law in 2022, which requires all expatriate workers and visitors to purchase health insurance for private medical care, will further growth. Foreign nationals have traditionally accessed private health care via health insurance schemes, while Qataris mainly rely on public health services – resulting in Qatar’s patient out-of-pocket health expenditure being among the lowest in the world, at 7.7% of total health care expenditure in 2022.
The government and the MoPH have recently signed several PPPs to expand and improve medical services. The PPP law provided clear guidelines for public-private sector collaboration, spurring greater private investment. “The government’s continued prioritisation of health care, as seen through increased budget allocations, signals a strong national drive to improve quality of life,” Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, chairman of Al Faisal Holding told OBG. “At the same time, it creates real opportunities for the private sector to take on a more active role, particularly through public-private partnerships that bring innovation and efficiency to the table.” The 2025 partnership between Al Ahli Hospital, HMC and three other private hospitals is transforming health care. Greater private participation is driving down waiting times, improving access and helping provide patients with specialist services. Patients can now be referred to private facilities for care in specific fields.
Insurance
Phase One of Qatar’s social health insurance scheme launched in 2013. It is managed and operated by the government-owned National Health Insurance Company. The scheme has introduced mandatory health insurance coverage through a network of public and private health care providers to deliver universal health care for Qataris. Private health care revenue comes primarily from private insurance payments, which are now compulsory for foreign residents and visitors. Employers are required to provide coverage for foreign workers and their families. At the same time, visitors who require a visa to enter Qatar will not be permitted entry without proof of insurance.
In 2020, before the introduction of the new law, some 22% of the population held private health insurance. The average health insurance policy covers inpatient, outpatient and emergency services, but it may exclude cosmetic procedures and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products depending on the provider and plan.
Medical Staff
There were more than 53,900 licensed health care professionals in Qatar in 2024, marking an increase of 8.7% from 2023. In terms of workforce capacity, there are around 1.6 doctors and 4.7 nurses per 1000 people. Filling the workforce gap is challenging, as roughly 90% of Qatar’s medical staff are expatriates, leading to persistent turnover. To advance its health care services, it must reduce its reliance on foreign doctors and nurses by attracting more Qataris to the medical profession and investing in workforce training, retention programmes and long-term career development initiatives. Several universities in Qatar offer medical qualifications in addition to a wide range of scholarships available to those seeking to study at Qatari universities and pursue careers in the sector.
The government is also trying to enhance health services by encouraging advanced training for medical staff. Licensed general practitioners are now required to complete a one-year internship before practising. However, regulatory processes in Qatar’s health care system are complex, and licensing and accreditation procedures under the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners can be lengthy, averaging 75 days to complete. This creates a barrier to attracting talent to the sector, particularly new foreign entrants. To address the barrier, the MoPH has updated a number of health care rules and regulations to advance Qatar’s health care system, while streamlining licensing and accreditation processes to attract talent.
Pharmaceuticals
Qatar has made strides in advancing pharmaceuticals, edging closer to achieving self-sufficiency in medicines and medical supplies. Qatar’s pharmaceutical market was estimated at around $480m in 2025, according to Ken Research, and is expected to grow, supported by ongoing investment in healthcare. Pharmaceutical and medical economic conferences have drawn attention to Qatar’s pharmaceutical and medical equipment market growth. The 2025 Precision Medicine and Future Genomics Summit attracted around 1000 experts from 38 countries. The summit focused on genomics and AI innovation, as well as clinical trials and real-world implementation.
Investments in medical technology and biotechnology have increased. The MoPH aims to establish Qatar as a competitive life sciences and biotechnology leader, with government funding contributing to building research capacity and strengthening its life sciences segment. The government has allocated QR20bn ($5.5bn) to attract investments in biotechnology, AI and future technologies. Meanwhile, the partnership between Qatar Science and Technology Park and Qatar Free Zones Authority is supporting enhanced research and development and biomanufacturing collaboration with various international firms.
Outlook
Health care in Qatar is rising in line with population growth, as the country adapts to the needs of an ageing population facing different challenges than a decade ago, such as rising NCDs. Public investment in the sector has supported this trend, as well as advances in research and development. At the same time, openness to private-sector involvement is enhancing medical services, reducing gaps in access, and improving patient outcomes and overall service delivery efficiency.
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