Qatar witnessed a sharp 11% year-on-year decline in the number of building permits issued in May, according to official statistics.
Al Rayan and Doha together constituted 50% of the total 659 building permits issued in Qatar in May this year, said the statistics revealed by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA). 
On geographical basis, the PSA found that Al Rayyan remained atop the municipalities where the number of building permits issued were 184 permits or 28% of the total issued permits, Doha 142 (22%), Al Wakrah 109 (17%), Al Daayen 97 (15%), Umm Slal 48 (7%), Al Sheehaniya 39 (6%), Al Khor 32 (5%) and Al Shamal eight (1%). 
On a month-on-month basis, total number of permits issued in the country witnessed a 11% fall in May 2019 with Al Shamal registering a 43% plunge, Umm Slal 24%, Al Wakrah 22%, Al Daayen 13%, Al Rayyan 11% and Doha 6%; whereas those in Al Khor and Al Sheehaniya saw 23% and 22% growth, respectively.
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.
In terms of type of permits issued, data indicates that the new building permits (residential and non-residential) constituted 51% (337 permits) of the total building permits issued in May this year, while additions constituted 46% (300 permits), and fencing 3% (22 permits). 
Of the new residential buildings permits, PSA found that villas’ topped the list, accounting for 71% (203 permits) of all new residential buildings permits, dwellings of housing loans 23% (65 permits) and apartments 5% (15 permits). 
Commercial buildings were found to be in the forefront of non-residential buildings permits with 42% (21 permits), followed by government buildings 30% (15 permits) and governmental buildings 18% (nine permits).Qatar witnessed a total of 374 building completion certificates issued in April, of which 229 was for residential buildings, 27 for non-residential and 118 for additions.
Of the 229 residential buildings completion certificates issued, as many as 141 were for villas, 67 for dwellings of housing loans, 16 for apartments and five for others.
During May, Al Rayyan issued as many as 126 building completion certificates or 34% of the total, Doha 88 (24%), Al Daayen 55 (15%), Al Wakrah 47 (13%), Umm Slal 23 (6%), Al Sheehaniya 16 (4%), Al Khor 11 (3%) and Al Shamal eight (2%).Of the 141 villas completion certificates issued, as many as 48 were in Al Rayyan, 30 each in Doha and Al Daayen, 17 in Al Wakrah, seven in Umm Slal, four in Al Shamal, three in Al Sheehaniya and two in Al Khor.
Of the 67 dwellings of housing loans completion certificates issued, Al Rayyan received as many as 25 certificates; Al Wakrah (18); Al Daayen (10); Doha, Al Khor and Um Slal (four each) and Al Sheehaniya (two).
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