[Global Issue+] Qatar Hosting the Largest Ever World Cup... The Reason It Became a Welfare Paradise

Per Capita National Income Reaches $80,000... 5th in the World
Only 300,000 Actual Citizens Despite Vast Oil Reserves
Absolute Monarchy and Human Rights Abuses Hidden Behind Welfare Paradise

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the 22nd Qatar World Cup approaches, interest in the State of Qatar, known as the welfare paradise of the Middle East, is also rising. This is because it has planned the largest-scale World Cup ever, far surpassing the costs spent by all previous World Cup host countries.

Qatar, which possesses vast natural resources such as oil and natural gas and has an actual population of around 300,000, is gaining more attention for reportedly providing free basic income, housing, and vehicles to its citizens. However, behind this welfare paradise lies criticism that it is a pre-modern absolute monarchy with only a formal constitutional monarchy and repression of the press and human rights.

Per capita GDP of $80,000... 5th largest resource-rich country in the world

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to Germany's Deutsche Welle (DW) on the 18th (local time), the cost of hosting this Qatar World Cup is $229 billion (about 310 trillion won), which exceeds the total cost of all World Cups held since the first Uruguay World Cup in 1930. Considering that the previous 21st Russia World Cup cost $11.6 billion and the 20th Brazil World Cup used $15 billion, this is truly an enormous scale.

The reason Qatar can afford this huge cost is that it is a globally resource-rich country with a very high per capita income (GDP). According to the GDP rankings announced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Qatar's per capita GDP last year was $82,886, ranking 5th in the world after Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Qatar's national wealth comes from various natural resources including oil, natural gas, helium, and aluminum. As of confirmed reserves in 2020, it ranks 3rd in the world for natural gas reserves and 13th for oil. It is the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and, along with the United States, supplies LNG as an alternative to Europe, which is experiencing an energy crisis due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Abundant resources and small population... world's best welfare benefits

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Qatar, a resource-rich country, has a very small population compared to its vast oil wealth. As of last year, Qatar's total population is estimated to be about 2.79 million, of which only about 300,000 are actual nationals. Under these conditions, Qatar offers one of the world's highest levels of welfare systems.

According to the British BBC, the welfare for Qatari citizens is among the best in the world. The Qatari government provides free housing and vehicles to its citizens and pays a basic income of about 6 million won per month. All education from kindergarten to university is free, and any citizen wishing to study abroad can receive financial support. Medical care and public transportation are also provided free of charge. However, there are no taxes.

This welfare system is rarely seen even in neighboring Middle Eastern oil-producing countries. It is known that this was greatly strengthened after the reign of Qatar's former Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. After seizing power through a coup in 1995, the former Emir nationalized oil and natural gas companies that were owned by the royal family and established the current welfare system. Since then, support for the royal family has become the highest among Middle Eastern countries, and political instability has disappeared.

Human rights abuses against migrant workers, the shadow of absolute monarchy

Migrant workers involved in the construction of stadiums for the Qatar World Cup. [Image source=Getty Images]

However, shadows are cast even over this welfare paradise. Criticism has been raised regarding human rights abuses against migrant workers, who make up 90% of the population. Migrant workers mobilized at World Cup stadium construction sites have been paid excessively low wages, and if accidents occur, they are immediately deported, drawing international condemnation.

According to the British Guardian, about 6,500 deaths have occurred at Qatar's World Cup stadium construction sites since 2010. Most of these workers are illegal immigrants, and cases of forced detention or deportation without proper wages due to violations of immigration laws are increasing, prompting human rights organizations to call for improvements.

It is also pointed out that Qatar's rigid social atmosphere and absolute monarchy hinder the resolution of human rights issues. Qatar announced the implementation of a constitutional monarchy since 2003 and began holding public votes for 30 of the 45 members of the legislative Shura Council last year, but it is criticized that absolute monarchy effectively continues.

Still, the Emir appoints 15 members of the Shura Council, and the council itself is more of an advisory body that the Emir can dissolve at any time. These members cannot form political parties and are all independents, with most seats held by local tribal leaders or royal family members.

The Qatari government states that it will strive for political reform and human rights improvement in the future, but it is expected that the Emir and royal family, who hold full power, will find it difficult to relinquish their vested interests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.