There were 2,269,672 people in Qatar at the end of November – 53,000 more than were here in October, according to new government figures that once again put the population at an all-time high.

That’s one of the biggest jumps Qatar has seen in recent months. The country has been growing in leaps and bounds since being awarded hosting rights to the 2022 World Cup, in an announcement that was made four years ago tomorrow.

Qatar has expanded by some 632,000 people since that fateful day in December 2010, a near-40 percent jump.

The growth stems largely from a need for manpower, as key infrastructure projects like the Doha Metro, roadworks like the Lusail Expressway and real estate developments like the massive Msheireb project are now well underway.

The large influx of people has proved a challenge for Qatar’s now overcrowded hospitals, schools and roads.

While officials have warned that there are no short-term solutions to these woes, residents can expect some relief at least in the coming weeks.

With National Day, Christmas and other holidays approaching, many people are planning to travel during the final weeks of December.

This likely will translate into an easing of congestion – not quite harkening back to 2010 days, but at least to the relative quiet of summertime, when the population hovered around 2 million people.

Are you planning to leave Qatar over the holidays? Thoughts?