Qatar’s prosperity ranking drops following Gulf boycott

CAIRO – 4 December 2017: Qatari opposition website Qatari Leaks released an infographic on Sunday showing the reasons behind Doha’s drop to the 47th place in the global prosperity index 2017.

Qatari Leaks said that the British Legatum Institution’s Prosperity Index 2017 revealed that Doha has witnessed a downturn in economic and investment environment standards due to the country’s failure to pay its dues.

Qatari ties with several Arab states has been strained since May 24 over a leaked statement attributed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad criticizing Gulf foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise.”

On 5 June, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions, accusing it of funding terrorism, a claim Qatar denies. They also closed their airspace and seaports for Qatari transportation.

The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha in June, which were shortened to six principles a month later, including closing Al-Jazeera television, curbing relations with Iran and shutting a Turkish military base.