The numbers related to the economic realities in Qatar are becoming increasingly sophisticated and detailed. A recent report by Qatar National Bank titled Qatar Economic Insight 2013 provides a significant set of details related to socio-economic developments.

The report suggests that Qatar’s population grew by 3.4 per cent in 2012 to 1.8 million. Undoubtedly, this is one of the highest population growth rates in the world, and stands out especially when compared to the near zero growth in many Western countries.

Interestingly enough, expatriates accounted for 86 per cent of the total population, a clear evidence of the level of openness the state embodies. It is believed that people from more than 100 countries live and work in Qatar and contribute towards its economic development and cultural diversity.

The total population could reach as high as 2 million by the end of 2013 on the back of the continued influx of expatriates to assume new jobs. And the figure could soar to around 2.2 million by the end of next year.

The forecast calls for creating some 120,000 new jobs each in 2013 and 2014, the majority going to expatriates. A key reason for this is the investments running into billions of dollars on development projects in the run up to the World Cup 2022. The extravaganza is being held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Pioneering investments include a metro network for the capital city at a cost of $18 billion (Dh66 billion), a scheme which promises a sizable number of job opportunities for expatriates.

Undoubtedly, the Qatari economy is already receptive to foreign nationals by international standards. Out of a workforce of 1.3 million in 2012, expatriates account for 94 per cent of the total, something clearly out of the ordinary in today’s world where the emphasis is on local employment generation.

On a separate note, the Qatar National Bank report sheds light on income levels, putting the value of per capita income on the basis of purchasing power parity (PPP) at $102,200 in 2012. This figure is second to none, with Luxembourg emerging as a distant second with an income of $80,000 on a PPP basis.

Much to its credit, Qatar has developed a reputation of being extremely transparent on its international investments. One of the more famous ones is the purchase of Harrods of the UK for $2.2 billion.

Conversely, more resourceful GCC countries are known for maintaining low-profile positions regarding their international investments. According to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, Qatar’s amounted to $115 billion by June 2013.

By comparison, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait possess Sovereign Wealth Funds considerably larger than that of Qatar. Yet, not all these countries are known for providing updates about their investment portfolios.

Happily, the transparency culture in Qatar is running across the board with untold rewards for the economy. For instance, Qatar commands a notable ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Transparency International. The 2012 version of CPI ranks Qatar at No 27 among 174 nations, a position shared with the UAE, and the best within the region.

The index is based on data generated from numerous surveys and assessments carried out by multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and World Economic Forum as well as The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Details relating to Qatari investments make headlines worldwide and for good reason.

— The writer is a member of parliament in Bahrain.