A total of 509 traffic accident cases were recorded in June, marking a monthly decrease of 7.6% compared to May this year, official statistics show.

Minor injuries accounted for a vast majority of traffic accidents in June, at 89%, followed by severe injuries at 9%. Ten deaths were also recorded in June, making up about 2% of the total traffic accidents.

Efforts to make the country's roads safer got a further boost in July when the Ministry of Interior launched a traffic awareness campaign, titled "Accident-Free Summer". The initiative is aimed at raising awareness about common traffic violations and enhance the knowledge of road users in order to further reduce the number of road accidents.

The traffic figures have been published in the 54th issue of the Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin issued by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS).

In this issue, the MDPS has shed light on the most important statistical changes that occurred in the country in June in addition to extracts from the results of the 2015 census.

One of the most prominent changes highlighted is an increase in the number of social security beneficiaries by 2.5% compared to June 2017.

This is accompanied by a rise in total deposits with an annual rate of 6.2%, which is offset by an increase in the total credit with an annual rate of 6.1% compared to June last year, the bulletin states.

Demographic statistics highlighted in the bulletin show that the total population of Qatar increased from 2.55mn in June last year to almost 2.58mn at end of June 2018, an annual increase of 1.4%.

With regard to vital statistics, a total of 2,073 live births were registered in June this year, a 3.5% decrease compared to May 2018. However, this decrease was offset by an increase in total Qatari live births by 6.9% compared to the previous month.

On the other hand, 156 deaths were recorded during the same period, a decrease of 18.8% compared to May 2018. Also, there was a decrease of 53.3% in Qatari deaths.

Moreover, June 2018 experienced a decrease in marriage and divorce contracts. The total number of marriage contracts was 295, whereas the total number of divorces reached 62 cases; namely, one divorce for every five marriages.

As for social security statements, the month of June witnessed a significant increase in the number of social security beneficiaries, reaching 14,538 individuals, whereas the total value of social security had reached almost QR82mn during the same month.

The bulletin showed that total electricity utilisation during June was 3,845.4 GWh, attaining a monthly increase of 16.1% as compared to the previous month, while recording an annual drop of 11.1% compared to June 2017.

The bulletin also showed that total water consumption reached 38,100.5 thousand cubic metres during the same month, marking a monthly decrease of 5.2% as compared to May 2018 as well as an annual drop of 14.1% compared to June last year .

As for buildings permits, the MDPS data showed that there were a total of 383 permits in June 2018, recording a monthly decrease of 35.8%.

The bulletin also highlighted that the total number of registered vehicles during June was 3,910 new vehicles. The figure reflected a monthly decrease of 28.2% and an annual decline of 12.5%.

Total Broad Money Supply (M2) was recorded at QR586.2bn during June 2018, an annual increase of 10.2% compared to June last year.

On the other hand, cash equivalents - including deposits – amounted to QR818.3bn during June. This marked an annual increase of 6.2% compared to June 2017, when there were deposits of approximately QR770.7bn.