Building permits issued at national level decline year-on-year in February; but Doha, Umm Slal and Al Rayyan defy trend: PSA

Doha and Umm Slal municipalities witnessed double-digit growth year-on-year in building permits, even as at the national level, the permits issued were on the decline this February, according to official estimates.
Qatar saw as many as 644 building permits issued in February 2023, which declined 7.6% on an annualised basis in the review period, according to figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority.
Al Rayyan, Doha and Al Wakra municipalities together constituted 70% of the total building permit issued in February 2023.
The building permits data is of particular importance as it is considered an indicator for the performance of the construction sector which in turn occupies a significant position in the national economy.
On an annualised basis, total building permits issued in Doha surged 13.4%, Umm Slal (12%) and Al Rayyan (6.8%); whereas those in Al Shamal tanked 50%, Al Shahaniya (41.2%), Al Wakra (23%), Al Daayen (18.5%) and Al Khor (12.1%).
Of the total number of new building permits issued, Al Rayyan constituted 156 permits or 24% of the total, followed by Doha 135 (21%), Al Wakra 127 (20%), Al Daayen 123 (19%), Umm Slal 56 56 (9%), Al Khor 29 (5%), Al Shahaniya 10 (2%) and Al Shamal eight (1%).
On a monthly basis, total building permits issued in the country declined 11% with Al Shahaniya reporting a 68% plunge, Al Shamal (53%), Al Khor (34%), Al Wakra (21%), Al Rayyan (13%) and Doha (4%); even as those in Umm Slal and Al Daayen increased 47% and 11% respectively in the review period.
The new building permits (residential and non-residential) constituted 251 permits or 39% of the total issued in February 2023, followed by additions 366 (57%) and fencing 27 (4%).
Of the new residential buildings permits, villas topped the list, accounting for 82% or 164 permits, apartments 11% (22), and dwellings of housing loans 4% (seven).
Among the non-residential sector, commercial structures accounted for 47% or 24 permits, the industrial buildings as workshops and factories 29% (15 permits) and mosques 16% (eight permits).
Qatar saw a total of 343 building completion certificates issued in February 2023, of which 268 or 78% was for the new buildings (residential and non-residential) and 75 or 22% for additions.
On an annualised basis, total building completion certificates issued in the country saw 1.2% fall with Al Shamal reporting 75% decline, Doha (16.2%), Al Wakra (8.8%) and Al Rayyan (8.1%); while those in Al Shahaniya saw 166.7% surge, Umm Slal (52.6%) and Al Daayen (31.4%) in the review period.
Qatar saw an 11% month-on-month contraction in the total building completion certificates issued in February 2023 with Al Shamal registering a 40% decline, Doha (30%), Al Rayyan (23%) and Al Daayen (17%); while Al Khor saw 143% growth, Umm Slal (21%), Al Shahaniya (14%) and Al Wakra (5%).
Al Wakra constituted 83 or 24% of the total number of building completion certificates issued in the review period, Al Rayyan 23% or 79, Al Daayen 20% or 67, Doha 17% or 57, Umm Slal 8% or 29, Al Khor 5% or 17, Al Shahaniya 2% or eight and Al Shamal 1% or three in February 2023.
Of the 210 residential buildings completion certificates issued, as many as 181 or 86% were for villas, 11 or 5% for dwellings of housing loans and nine or 4% for apartments.
Of the 181 villas completion certificates issued in February 2023, as many as 51 were in Al Rayyan, 42 in Al Daayen, 36 in Al Wakra, 20 each in Doha and Umm Slal, eight in Al Khor and two each in Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya.
In the case of nine apartments, Doha issued five completion certificates and one each in Umm Slal, Al Rayyan, Al Daayen and Al Khor.