Qatar

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant hydrocarbon revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar’s mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and by 2007, Doha had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo from some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country’s healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country’s infrastructure in anticipation of hosting international sporting events. Qatar became the first country in the Arab world to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2022.Following the outbreak of regional unrest in 2011, Doha prided itself on its support for many popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. This stance was to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Doha in 2014. TAMIM later oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in November 2014 following Kuwaiti mediation and signing of the Riyadh Agreement. This reconciliation, however, was short-lived. In 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE (the “Quartet”) cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in response to alleged violations of the agreement, among other complaints. They restored ties in 2021 after signing a declaration at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. In 2022, the United States designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total : 11,586 sq km

land: 11,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 164

Area – comparative

almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 87 km

border countries (1): Saudi Arabia 87 km

Coastline

563 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

Climate

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

Terrain

mostly flat and barren desert

Elevation

highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 28 m

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, natural gas

Land use

agricultural land: 6.4% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.4% (2022 est.)

forest: 0% (2022 est.)

other: 93.6% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

130 sq km (2022)

Major aquifers

Arabian Aquifer System

Population distribution

most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

Natural hazards

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Geography – note

the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

People and Society

Population

total: 2,552,088 (2024 est.)

male: 1,961,135

female: 590,953

comparison rankings: total 143; female 161; male 131

Nationality

noun: Qatari(s)

adjective: Qatari

Ethnic groups

non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)

Languages

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

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Arabic audio sample:

Religions

Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.1% (male 168,844/female 165,905)

15-64 years: 85.4% (male 1,767,294/female 411,977)

65 years and over: 1.5% (2024 est.) (male 24,997/female 13,071)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 17.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 15.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 1.7 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 57.2 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 34.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.7 years

female: 28.1 years

comparison ranking: total 105

Population growth rate

0.71% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 126

Birth rate

9.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 197

Death rate

1.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 229

Net migration rate

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 135

Population distribution

most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

Urbanization

urban population: 99.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

798,000 Ar-Rayyan, 658,000 DOHA (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 4.29 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.91 male(s)/female

total population: 3.32 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 175

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 163

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 78.2 years

female: 82.4 years

comparison ranking: total population 53

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 120

Gross reproduction rate

0.94 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

2.9% of GDP (2021)

7.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

35.1% (2016)

comparison ranking: 15

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 151

Tobacco use

total: 19.2% (2025 est.)

male: 24.6% (2025 est.)

female: 2.3% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 74

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

65.8% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

9.3% national budget (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 140

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years (2022 est.)

male: 12 years (2022 est.)

female: 15 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

air, land, and water pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited conservation of oil and wildlife

International environmental agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

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

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 99.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

127.783 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 27.781 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 99.991 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 36

Particulate matter emissions

59 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,000,990 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 30,030 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2014 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 530 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 400 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 320 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: State of Qatar

conventional short form: Qatar

local long form: Dawlat Qatar

local short form: Qatar

etymology: the name may derive from the Arabic word katran, meaning “tar” or “resin” in reference to the area’s oil and natural gas reserves

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is GAT-tar or COT-tar

Government type

absolute monarchy

Capital

name: Doha

geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name is derived from the Arabic ad-dawha, meaning “the big tree,” and probably referred to a large tree at the site of the original fishing village

Administrative divisions

8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular – baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za’ayin, Umm Salal

Legal system

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

Constitution

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

amendment process: proposed by the Amir or by one third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended

International law organization participation

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)

head of government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the amir

Legislative branch

legislature name: Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 45 (30 directly elected; 15 appointed)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 10/2/2021

percentage of women in chamber: 4.4%

expected date of next election: September 2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally

Political parties

political parties are banned

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad AL THANI (since 24 April 2017)

chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600

FAX: [1] (202) 237-0682

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://washington.embassy.qa/en/home

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Timmy DAVIS (since 5 September 2022)

embassy: 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, P.O. Box 2399, Doha

mailing address: 6130 Doha Place, Washington DC 20521-6130

telephone: [974] 4496-6000

FAX: [974] 4488-4298

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://qa.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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, OIF, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

3 September 1971 (from the UK)

National holiday

National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Flag description

maroon with a broad white serrated band on the hoist side; maroon stands for the blood shed in Qatari wars, and white for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge is a reference to Qatar’s status as the ninth member of the “reconciled emirates” after the Qatari-British treaty of 1916

note: the other eight emirates are Bahrain and the seven that are part of the UAE

National symbol(s)

a white serrated band with nine white points on top of a maroon field

National color(s)

maroon, white

National anthem(s)

title: “Al-Salam Al-Amiri” (Peace be to the Emir)

lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN

history: adopted 1996

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, oil-and-gas-based Middle Eastern economy; implementing “National Vision 2030” government strategy for economic development, diversification, and favorable business conditions to boost investment and employment; expansion of LNG sector expected to boost growth; Islamic finance leader

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$317.064 billion (2024 est.)
$308.522 billion (2023 est.)
$304.903 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 60

Real GDP growth rate

2.8% (2024 est.)
1.2% (2023 est.)
4.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 123

Real GDP per capita

$110,900 (2024 est.)
$116,200 (2023 est.)
$114,700 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 7

GDP (official exchange rate)

$217.983 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2024 est.)
3% (2023 est.)
5% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 31

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.3% (2024 est.)

industry: 58.5% (2024 est.)

services: 45.9% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 168; industry 4; agriculture 196

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 19.5% (2022 est.)

government consumption: 12.9% (2022 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.6% (2022 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2022 est.)

exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services: -31.6% (2022 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

dates, chicken, tomatoes, camel milk, vegetables, cucumbers/gherkins, pumpkins/squash, eggs, sheep milk, eggplants (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

1.6% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 107

Labor force

2.123 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 125

Unemployment rate

0.2% (2024 est.)
0.2% (2023 est.)
0.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 1

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 0.4% (2024 est.)

male: 0.1% (2024 est.)

female: 1.2% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 188

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

35.1 (2017 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 80

Average household expenditures

on food: 14.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 0.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6% (2017 est.)

highest 10%: 25.8% (2017 est.)

% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $65.922 billion (2019 est.)

expenditures: $57.258 billion (2019 est.)

Current account balance

$38.117 billion (2024 est.)
$36.453 billion (2023 est.)
$63.118 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 17

Exports

$125.216 billion (2024 est.)
$128.709 billion (2023 est.)
$161.693 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 42

Exports – partners

China 18%, India 11%, S. Korea 10%, Japan 7%, Pakistan 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, fertilizers (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$69.692 billion (2024 est.)
$72.174 billion (2023 est.)
$74.52 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 56

Imports – partners

USA 12%, China 12%, UAE 9%, UK 7%, India 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

gas turbines, cars, aircraft, iron pipes, ships (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$53.987 billion (2024 est.)
$51.539 billion (2023 est.)
$47.389 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 41

Exchange rates

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
3.64 (2024 est.)
3.64 (2023 est.)
3.64 (2022 est.)
3.64 (2021 est.)
3.64 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 11.4 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 51.965 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 3.177 billion kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 144; consumption 52; installed generating capacity 64

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 99.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

exports: 300 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 1.818 million bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 268,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 171.805 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 48.034 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 124.747 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 23.861 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

814.308 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 1

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 526,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 90

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4.7 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 174 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 129

Broadcast media

state-controlled TV and radio licensing and access to local media markets; home of satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally state-owned but is now independent; local radio includes state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies; satellite TV available (2019)

Internet country code

.qa

Internet users

percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 347,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 112

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

8 (2025)

comparison ranking: 166

Heliports

12 (2025)

comparison ranking: 66

Merchant marine

total: 123 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 2, other 108

comparison ranking: total 80

Ports

total ports: 6 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 1

small: 2

very small: 3

ports with oil terminals: 5

key ports: Al Rayyan Terminal, Al Shaheen Terminal, Doha, Jazirat Halul, Ras Laffan, Umm Said

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Qatar Armed Forces (QAF): Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)

Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Public Security, General Directorate of Coasts and Border Security, Internal Security Force (ISF or Lekhwiya) (2025)

Military expenditures

5% of GDP (2023 est.)
5% of GDP (2022 est.)
4% of GDP (2021 est.)
4% of GDP (2020 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 15,000 active-duty Qatar Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Qatari military’s inventory includes a broad mix of older and modern weapons systems, mostly from the US and Europe; in the 2010s, Qatar embarked on a military expansion and modernization program with large air, ground, and naval equipment purchases; in recent years, major suppliers have included France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the US; Qatar is one of the world’s largest arms importers (2024)

Military service age and obligation

conscription for men aged 18-35 introduced in 2013; compulsory service times range from 4-12 months, depending on educational and professional circumstances; since 2018, women have been permitted to serve as volunteers in the armed forces, including as uniformed officers and pilots (2023)

note: the military incorporates about 2,000 conscripts annually and recruits foreign contract soldiers to overcome manpower limitations

Military – note

Qatar’s military is responsible for territorial defense and maritime security; the military is in the midst of a large equipment acquisition program designed to enhance its capabilities and Qatar’s regional standing; Qatar has military ties with a variety of countries, including France, the UK, the US, Turkey, and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); it hosts the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) and several thousand US military forces at various military facilities, including the Al Udeid Air Base; Qatar has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; Qatar also hosts Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019; the Qatari military is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region (2025)