Overview
The Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) is the national statistics office and central planning body of the State of Qatar. Established through the merger of the Qatar Statistics Authority and the General Secretariat for Development Planning, the PSA is responsible for producing official statistics, conducting the national census, publishing economic and social indicators, and supporting the planning and monitoring functions associated with the National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy.
The PSA reports to the Council of Ministers and is the authoritative source for demographic, economic, social, and environmental data in Qatar.
Core Functions
The PSA’s operations encompass several areas:
- Census and population statistics — the PSA conducts Qatar’s national census and publishes regular population estimates, disaggregated by nationality, gender, age, and geographic distribution. Given Qatar’s unique demographic profile — where expatriates constitute the majority of the population — accurate population data is essential for planning public services, housing, and infrastructure.
- Economic indicators — the PSA produces and publishes national accounts data (GDP), consumer price indices (CPI), trade statistics, industrial production figures, and other macroeconomic indicators used by policymakers, investors, and international organisations.
- Labour force statistics — the PSA conducts labour force surveys and publishes employment and wage data, broken down by sector, nationality, and occupation. This data is critical for workforce planning, Qatarisation targets, and the monitoring of labour market conditions.
- Social statistics — data on education, health, housing, and living conditions, drawing on administrative records and dedicated surveys.
Planning Function
In addition to its statistical mandate, the PSA plays a central role in national development planning. The authority contributes to the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of the National Development Strategy (NDS), which translates the goals of the National Vision 2030 into specific targets, programmes, and resource allocations over five-year planning cycles. The PSA provides the data infrastructure and analytical capacity required to track progress against NDS indicators.
Data Governance
The PSA is responsible for establishing standards, methodologies, and quality frameworks for official statistics in Qatar. The authority coordinates with government ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises to ensure consistency in data collection and reporting. The PSA also represents Qatar in international statistical organisations, including the United Nations Statistical Commission.
Significance
The Planning and Statistics Authority provides the factual foundation upon which Qatar’s policy decisions and development planning are based. The quality and availability of official statistics are essential for evidence-based governance, investor confidence, and international benchmarking — all of which are priorities under the National Vision 2030.