{
  "id": 4780780,
  "title": "Qatar economy contracts 7% as energy output slumps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/qatar-economy-contracts-7-as-energy-output-slumps",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T02:36:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Arabian Post",
    "slug": "arabian-post",
    "url": "https://thearabianpost.com/qatar-economy-contracts-7-as-energy-output-slumps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Qatar's economy declined 7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, as conflict-induced disruptions significantly slashed hydrocarbon output, according to official statistics released by the National Planning Council. Gross domestic product decreased to 170.8 billion riyals from a revised 183.7 billion riyals in the first quarter of 2025. The most substantial impact was felt in mining and quarrying, particularly oil and gas production, which plummeted by 25.8 percent to 49 billion riyals, accounting for less than three-tenths of the economy. This decline was primarily due to severe disruptions in Qatar's energy sector following regional fighting that hindered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and prompted production curbs. QatarEnergy halted LNG production on March 2 and later declared force majeure, while damage to energy infrastructure at Ras Laffan further constrained operations. Shell reported damage to one train at the Pearl gas-to-liquids plant during attacks on March 18, with the facility already operating at reduced rates due to export constraints caused by the Hormuz blockage. Despite this downturn, non-mining and quarrying activities, which comprised 71.3 percent of GDP, grew by 3.5 percent annually. Services and construction sectors demonstrated resilience, with accommodation and food services expanding 12 percent, wholesale and retail trade rising 9 percent, construction increasing 6.2 percent, and real estate activities growing 6.1 percent. Public administration activities also saw a 4 percent increase. While energy-related sectors faced substantial setbacks, including a 13.8 percent decline in transportation and storage activities and an 8.1 percent contraction in manufacturing, the National Planning Council emphasized that Qatar's strong institutions, fiscal management, and strategic investments had helped maintain stability and support the country's development goals.",
  "summary": "Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Qatar’s economy contracted 7 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026 as conflict-driven disruptions sharply reduced hydrocarbon production, official data showed, overwhelming continued growth across much of the non-energy economy. Gross domestic product fell to 170.8 billion riyals from a revised 183.7 billion riyals in the first three months of 2025,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}