View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2010 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

television and radio broadcast media are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari Government; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Doha (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.qa

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

822 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170

Internet users [time series]

563,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 117

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 300 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2009)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

285,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.472 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 122

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish

Central bank discount rate [time series]

5.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 80 5.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 6.84% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$20.11 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $809 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$71.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $70.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar has prospered in the last several years - in 2010 Qatar had the world's highest growth rate. Qatari authorities throughout the crisis sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP rebounded in 2010 largely due to the increase in oil prices. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and likely the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar's successful 2022 world cup bid will likely accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects such as Qatar's metro system and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Exchange rates [time series]

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2010), 3.64 (2009), 3.64 (2008), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$57.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $33.28 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 34.68%, South Korea 22.44%, Singapore 10.03%, India 4.86% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$126.5 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$122.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $102.3 billion (2009 est.) $93.44 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.1% industry: 78.8% services: 21.1% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$145,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $122,800 (2009 est.) $113,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

19.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 9.5% (2009 est.) 11.7% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$23.38 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $20.89 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 13.43%, Italy 8.34%, South Korea 8.33%, Japan 8.04%, Germany 7.31%, France 6.26%, UK 5.59%, China 5%, UAE 4.67%, Saudi Arabia 3.96% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

27.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Industries [time series]

liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 -4.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

33% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Labor force [time series]

1.254 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$87.86 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 42 $76.31 billion (31 December 2008) $95.49 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Natural gas - exports [time series]

56.78 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas - production [time series]

76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

25.47 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Oil - consumption [time series]

142,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Oil - exports [time series]

753,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Oil - production [time series]

1.213 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

10.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 14% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$22.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $18.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$65.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $59.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$19.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $14.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$26.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $20.75 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$70.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $69.21 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$15.98 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 66 $14.59 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate [time series]

0.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 0.5% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 11,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 165 land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate [time series]

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Coastline [time series]

563 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%) per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Irrigated land [time series]

130 sq km (2002)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2005)

Location [time series]

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

Natural hazards [time series]

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.1 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal

Capital [time series]

name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4161 FAX: [974] 488 4150

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, fourth son of the amir (selected Heir Apparent by the amir on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces head of government: Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the amir is hereditary note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916 note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted

Government type [time series]

emirate

Independence [time series]

3 September 1971 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA (observer), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; elections to the Majlis al-Shura are tentatively scheduled for June 2010

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem) lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN note: adopted 1996; the anthem was first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

none

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the Amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the second-highest per capita income in the world.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 387,399 females age 16-49: 163,652 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 320,277 females age 16-49: 138,558 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 6,403 female: 5,144 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004) 65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.54 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Death rate [time series]

2.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 140

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 12.24 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 137 male: 13.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.51 years country comparison to the world: 83 male: 73.78 years female: 77.33 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 89.1% female: 88.6% (2004 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 30.8 years male: 32.9 years female: 25.4 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Population [time series]

840,926 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Population growth rate [time series]

0.869% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Religions [time series]

Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 15 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.056 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.44 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.36 male(s)/female total population: 1.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.44 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 96% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in February 2009, Qatar enacted a new migrant worker sponsorship law that criminalizes some practices commonly used by trafficking offenders, and it announced plans to use that law effectively to prevent human trafficking; punishment for offenses related to trafficking in persons remains lower than that for crimes such as rape and kidnapping, and the Qatari government has yet to take significant action to investigate, prosecute, and punish trafficking offenses; the government continues to lack formal victim identification procedures and, as a result, victims of trafficking are likely punished for acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked (2009)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 173

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 29 country comparison to the world: 86 by type: bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 14, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7) registered in other countries: 30 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 24, Panama 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 980 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways [time series]

total: 7,790 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 144