Huge rise in number of tourists in Qatar in March

The latest data from the Planning and Statistics Authority showed an increase in the number of tourists coming to the country in March this year, by 759% over the same month last year, while it increased by 98.7% from February of this year.The data included in the 99th issue of the Qatar monthly statistics bulletin showed that the number of tourists reached 152,700 in March this year, compared to 76,880 in February, with 17,780 recorded in March last year.Another prominent development is the total number of new driving licences, which increased on a monthly basis by 10.9% (compared to February 2022), and on an annual basis by 81.2% (compared to March 2021).Non-Qatari males were the vast majority of total new driving licencees at 79% in March 2022.The demographic statistics revealed that the total population of Qatar has increased from 2.64mn during March 2021 to 2.83mn at end of March 2022.Regarding Vital Statistics, 1,788 live births have been registered during March 2022.There was a decrease in the total Qatari live births by 0.2% in March 2022 compared the previous month.On the other hand, 224 deaths were recorded during the same period, a decrease of 1.8% compared to February 2022.Moreover, March 2022 has experienced a monthly increase by 7.4% and 21.2% in marriage contracts and divorce certificates, respectively.The total number of marriage contracts was 404 contracts, whereas the total number of divorces has reached 257 divorce cases.Social Security statements reached QR78mn in March 2022, for 14,312 beneficiaries, recording a monthly decrease of 0.6% for the value of social security and a monthly increase of 0.2% for the number of beneficiaries of Social Security.Total electricity consumption during March 2022 was 3177.1GWh, a monthly increase of 29.1% and an annual increase of 5.1%.The total water consumption reached 53.6442mn cubic metres during the same month, a monthly increase of 14.3% and an annual decrease of 1.4%.Regarding the data of buildings permits issued, the total number of permits has reached 988 permits during March 2022, recording a monthly increase of 41.8%, and an annual decrease of 17.3%.The total number of registered new vehicles during March 2022 has reached 8,734 new vehicles.The figure showed a monthly increase of 26.6% and an annual increase of 63.5%.For traffic accident cases, not counting accidents without injuries, a total of 810 traffic cases were recorded during March 2022, a monthly increase of 18.8%, and an annual increase by 32.1%.Light injuries were recorded in the vast majority of traffic accidents cases during the same month, with 92%, followed by severe injuries by 6%.A total of 19 deaths were recorded, equivalent to only 2% of total traffic accidents cases.