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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

TV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government, but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha (2012)

Internet country code [time series]

.qa

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

897 (2012) country comparison to the world: 173

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 130 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 (2011)

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

327,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 111

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.6 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 136

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $76.22 billion expenditures: $48.96 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

14.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 4.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.38% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 5.49% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$61.59 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $51.98 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$134.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $127.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Qatar has prospered in the last several years with continued high real GDP growth. Throughout the financial crisis Qatari authorities sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP grew sharply in 2010 largely due to the increase in oil prices, and 2011's growth was supported by Qatar's investment in expanding its gas sector. GDP slowed to 6.6% in 2012 as Qatar''s gas sector expansion moved toward completion. 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 world''s highest per-capita income country and the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves in excess of 25 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 57 years. Qatar''s proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 13% 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, light rail system, and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway. The Hamad International Airport is projected to open by the end of 2013 with an annual passenger capacity of 24 million.

Exchange rates [time series]

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2012 est.) 3.64 (2011 est.) 3.64 (2010 est.) 3.64 (2009) 3.64 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$133 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $114.3 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 26.7%, South Korea 19%, India 12.1%, Singapore 5.7%, China 5.4% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$189.8 billion (2012 est.)

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

$185.3 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $174.4 billion (2011 est.) $154.4 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 13.1% government consumption: 11.6% investment in fixed capital: 30.6% investment in inventories: -0.8% exports of goods and services: 74.1% imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2012 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.1% industry: 72.4% services: 27.5% (2012 est.)

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

$100,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 $102,100 (2011 est.) $91,600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

6.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 13% (2011 est.) 16.7% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

58.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 56.5% of GDP (2011 est.) 48.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)

Imports [time series]

$30.79 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $26.93 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 14.2%, UAE 11.4%, Saudi Arabia 8.6%, UK 6.4%, Japan 6%, China 4.8%, Germany 4.7%, Italy 4.4%, France 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

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]

1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 1.9% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.339 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$125.4 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 37 $123.6 billion (31 December 2010) $87.86 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

32.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 34.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$33.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $16.82 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$97.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $85.16 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$26.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $25.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

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

$32.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $31.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$149.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $121.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$24.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $22.49 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

40.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Unemployment rate [time series]

0.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 0.4% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

64.46 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Crude oil - exports [time series]

1.106 million bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Crude oil - production [time series]

1.579 million bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - consumption [time series]

20.51 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

4.893 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - production [time series]

32.34 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas - exports [time series]

113.7 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - production [time series]

133.2 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 3

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

210,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

287,500 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 11,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 166 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 freshwater 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: 0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%) per capita: 376.9 cu m/yr (2005)

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]

129.4 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.62% (2011)

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]

0.06 cu km (2011)

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]

previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 (2013)

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 Susan L. ZIADEH (since 11 September 2011) embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 4496-6000 FAX: [974] 4488 4298

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI (since 29 March 2012) 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 TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD (since 20 September 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the position of amir is hereditary

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 law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA (observer), EITI (implementing country), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members) note - the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Judicial Supreme Council were established in 1999 judge selection and term of office: Cassation Court judges nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; Sharia Courts; Courts of Justice

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters)

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 15 members appointed; 30 members to be elected by popular vote beginning mid- or late 2013, per the 2003 constitutional referendum) note: the Advisory Council has limited legislative authority to draft and approve laws, but the Amir has final say on all matters; Qatar's first legislative elections are expected to be held in 2013 in which the public would elect 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; the Advisory Council would have authority to approve the national budget, hold ministers accountable through no-confidence votes, and propose legislation; Qatar in May 2011 held nationwide elections for the 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC) - first elected in 1999 - which has limited consultative authority aimed at improving municipal services

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

name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem)

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (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 the father 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 highest per capita income in the world. Qatar has not experienced the level of unrest or violence seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Qatar's international image is bolstered in part by the Doha-based Al Jazeera news network, which has provided comprehensive coverage of the Near East and North African Arab revolutions. Additionally, Qatar played a significant role in the Libyan revolution by pressing the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to assist the Libyan rebel movement.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 389,487 females age 16-49: 165,572 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 321,974 females age 16-49: 140,176 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 6,429 female: 5,162 (2010 est.)

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

Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2013)

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 (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 12.5% (male 129,465/female 125,623) 15-24 years: 13.9% (male 208,625/female 74,881) 25-54 years: 69.5% (male 1,170,547/female 248,369) 55-64 years: 3.3% (male 52,799/female 15,411) 65 years and over: 0.8% (male 10,214/female 6,510) (2013 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

43.2% (1998)

Death rate [time series]

1.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 226

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 17.2 % youth dependency ratio: 16 % elderly dependency ratio: 1.2 % potential support ratio: 83.9 (2013)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.5% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 157

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

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

fewer than 200 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

1.9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 190

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 165 male: 6.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.24 years country comparison to the world: 54 male: 76.27 years female: 80.25 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.5% female: 95.4% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 167

Median age [time series]

total: 32.4 years male: 33.4 years female: 28 years (2013 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari

Net migration rate [time series]

33.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

33.2% (2008) country comparison to the world: 16

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population [time series]

2,042,444 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Population growth rate [time series]

4.19% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

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

total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 2.83 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 4.61 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 3.41 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.5 male(s)/female total population: 3.29 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.92 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 1.3% country comparison to the world: 141 male: 0.4% female: 8.9% (2011)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 98.8% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 1,200 (2012)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

6 (2013) country comparison to the world: 178

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 28 country comparison to the world: 87 by type: bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 13, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) registered in other countries: 35 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 29, Panama 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 288 km; condensate/gas 221 km; gas 2,383 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 745 km; refined products 103 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways [time series]

total: 9,830 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 135