Qatar's private education sector has seen its revenue increasing nearly three-fold in four years, to QR5.8bn in 2015 from QR2bn in 2011, shows a study by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC).

The MEC report, which was based on the economic contribution of the country's education sector, notes that the "nominal" output of the education sector rose by an annual average of 12.1% over the past five years (2011-2015).
The average increase in the education sector’s output surpassed nominal GDP growth, thus raising the contribution of the education sector to nominal GDP growth from 1.1% in 2011 to 1.8% in 2015.
The real output of the education sector also rose significantly, at an annual average rate of 8.5%, twice the real GDP growth average rate. This has raised the contribution of the education sector from 1.1% in 2011 to 1.3% of real GDP in 2015.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has highlighted promising outlook in the education and higher education sector, calling for an increase in investment in private educational institutions. The ministry has projected demand for school education to continue to grow over the next five years.
The report shows an 83.7% increase in the number of university students across Qatar from 15,300 in 2010 to 28,100 in 2014 as "public universities" hosted 88.9% of new students.
As per the report, the number of schools has witnessed a significant growth between 2010 and 2014, with the establishment of some 243 new schools.
Kindergarten schools accounted for two-thirds of the newly established institutions, followed by primary schools at 18%.
Preparatory and secondary schools accounted for 7% and 9%, respectively, of newly established schools.
The increase in the number of schools was driven by a 36% increase in the number of students, from 197,000 in 2010 to 268,000 in 2015.
Private schools welcomed 84% of new students throughout the different education stages and accounted for 80% of newly established schools between 2010 and 2015, which highlights the increasing role of the private sector in the education sector.
The report highlighted the "important" contribution of the sector to economic development, particularly when it comes to the supply of skilled labour that enhances the competitiveness of the national economy.
Similarly, there has also been a "great" contribution of the education sector towards employment in the country. The sector employed as many as 50,600 people in 2015, up from 26,900 in 2011, a twofold increase that surpasses the overall increase in employment across Qatar, which stood at 53.9% during the same period.
In 2015, the education sector employed 2.6% of Qatar’s work force, compared to 2.1% in 2011. As of 2015, the education sector employed 12% of the Qatari workforce, making it the second largest employer of Qataris after the civil and military government agencies.