Doha: The State of Qatar has achieved a new global milestone by ranking 2nd in the labor market index according to the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The rank reflects the strength of the national economy, the efficiency of the labor market, and its ability to attract and retain talent, in line with the goals of economic development and Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to Qatar News Agency, economists and experts confirmed that Qatar's ranking among the top countries globally reflects the success of government policies in building a highly flexible and efficient labor market. The country benefits from continuous development of labor legislation, improving the business environment, expanding investment opportunities, as well as implementing digital transformation programs and developing government services, which has strengthened the confidence of investors and global companies in the Qatari economy.
This achievement also confirms the ability of the Qatari economy to attract talent and expertise from around the world. It is based on advanced infrastructure, a stable economy, modern legislation, a competitive investment climate, in addition to the quality of basic services and levels of security and stability.
Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansori affirmed that Qatar's ranking as second globally in the labor market index reflects the success of economic policies and legislative and regulatory reforms adopted by the state during the past years. These have contributed to the attractiveness of the Qatari labor market and the building of a competitive labor market that preserves the rights of the worker and the employer.
In an exclusive statement to QNA, Al Mansori said this achievement confirms the advanced position that the State of Qatar has attained on the global competitiveness map. It enhances the confidence of the local and international business community in the Qatari investment environment, characterized by stability, transparency, infrastructure development, supportive business legislation, as well as ongoing initiatives aimed at developing the work environment and raising the productivity of the public and private sectors.
Al Mansori noted that this progress reflects the efficiency and flexibility of the Qatari labor market and its ability to attract global talent and expertise, under a sophisticated legislative and regulatory system, world-class infrastructure, and continuous reforms that enhance the investment climate and raise the competitiveness of the private sector.
Regarding the impact of this achievement on the private sector, Al Mansori stated that the sector directly experiences the positive results of these policies, whether through the ease of attracting specialized talent and expertise, or through the continuous development in the business environment. This enhances the ability of Qatari companies to grow and expand, supporting their competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Al Mansori affirmed that this achievement strengthens the confidence of local and foreign investors in the Qatari economy and supports the private sector's efforts to attract the talent necessary for growth and expansion. This contributes to achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.
The Acting General Manager at Qatar Chamber stressed that the Chamber will continue to work, in cooperation with relevant government agencies, to support the business community, enhance the partnership between the public and private sectors, and provide a more competitive and sustainable business environment, thereby consolidating the State of Qatar's position as a leading destination for investment and business at regional and international levels.
The National Planning Council announced that the State of Qatar ranked first regionally and is in the world's top five for Economic Resilience, according to the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The Council said the rank highlighted Qatar's strong performance across economic, business, institutional, and social indicators, pointing out that the results place Qatar among the leading performers regionally and globally across multiple metrics, reflecting continued progress toward the goals of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Council said Qatar ranked 1st regionally and globally for the balance of trade and recorded the world's lowest rates of unemployment, youth unemployment, and long-term unemployment, while maintaining one of the highest national savings rates globally. These strengths contribute to an economy that ranks first in the region and among the world's five most resilient.
Qatar's achievement in ranking second globally in the labor market indicator under the business efficiency pillar of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 carries significance amid intensifying international competition to attract investment and skilled talent. An efficient labor market has become one of the key factors global companies consider when making expansion and investment decisions, providing Qatar's economy an additional competitive advantage at both the regional and global levels.
Economic expert Dr. Abdullah Al Khater told QNA that Qatar's second-place global ranking reflects the country's efforts to develop this vital sector through a comprehensive understanding of labor market requirements, implementation of relevant plans, programs and strategies, improvements to the working environment, establishment of business incubators, and strengthening of research centers and educational institutions that support skills development and human capital.
He added that Qatar's hosting of numerous major sporting and economic events has created opportunities for young people, individuals, and public and private sector institutions to acquire practical, technical, and organizational expertise in managing large-scale events. These experiences have contributed to attracting talent, companies, and investors, advancing development efforts, improving the business environment, and strengthening Qatar's standing in various regional and international competitiveness indices.
Al Khater noted that such achievements in global competitiveness rankings, particularly for a young and developing nation like Qatar, will enhance the country's openness to the world and accelerate the adoption of modern business management practices and digital transformation, saving time, effort, and resources while supporting Qatar's development agenda and Qatar National Vision 2030.
Indicators and rankings over the past year have highlighted Qatar's leading position across a range of global competitiveness measures in various fields.
In this context, Qatar continued to distinguish itself internationally by ranking first in the Middle East and North Africa in the Global Peace Index 2025, issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) in Australia. The country ranked 27th globally among 163 countries covered by the report, improving by two places from the previous ranking. The index also placed Qatar eighth globally and first in the Arab world in the category of the world's safest and most socially peaceful countries, making it one of the 10 safest nations worldwide, ahead of many developed countries.
Qatar also recorded further progress in its development journey by ranking ninth globally in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, marking the first time the country had entered the global top 10. One of the most notable improvements came in the Business Efficiency pillar, where Qatar advanced from 11th to fifth place globally, driven by ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing labor market flexibility, supporting entrepreneurship and empowering the private sector.
The country also maintained seventh place worldwide in both Economic Performance and Government Efficiency, reflecting the strength of its fiscal policies, the effectiveness of its public institutions and the quality of its governance despite global economic challenges.
In the area of infrastructure, Qatar advanced three places, demonstrating its continued strategic investment in the transportation, education, health, and digital infrastructure sectors. Qatar also ranked among the top 20 countries globally in the 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, which includes 69 countries worldwide.
Qatar has also secured advanced positions in a range of other global indices covering economic competitiveness, knowledge and technology, innovation, healthcare, food security, digital transformation, smart services, public transportation, and soft power, including Brand Finance's Global Soft Power Index, reflecting the country's growing international influence across multiple sectors.
These achievements underscore the leadership's vision in advancing comprehensive national development and the success of policies implemented across various sectors, resulting in Qatar's strong performance in global competitiveness rankings.
Meanwhile, the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat), headquartered in Muscat, said Qatar's second-place global ranking in the Labor Market indicator under the Business Efficiency pillar reflects the efficiency, attractiveness, and competitiveness of the country's labor market in attracting skilled professionals.
Commenting on the performance of GCC member states in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, the centre said the results demonstrate the strength of the region's institutional economic performance and its leadership in a number of development fields.
It added that these achievements highlight the advanced standing of GCC countries in international competitiveness indicators and reflect the success of economic policies and structural reforms aimed at enhancing business environments, achieving sustainable development, and raising global competitiveness.
The IMD, based in Switzerland, publishes the World Competitiveness Yearbook annually. Regarded as a key reference for government policymakers, business leaders, and investors, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the policies and economic performance of participating countries.
The report is based on four main pillars: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency, and Infrastructure to measure a country's competitiveness.