Page last updated on February 3, 2014
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 short order, HAMAD oversaw the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera, the establishment of an Israeli trade office in Doha, and Qatar's pursuit of a leadership role in mediating regional conflicts. In the 2000s, 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 domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Since the outbreak of regional unrest, however, Doha has prided itself on its support for many of these popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. On 25 June 2013, HAMAD transferred power to his 33 year-old son, TAMIM bin Hamad - a peaceful abdication unseen in the history of Arab Gulf states. TAMIM has prioritized improving the domestic welfare of Qataris, including establishing advanced healthcare and education systems and expanding the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
total: 11,586 sq km
country comparison to the world: 166
land: 11,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
slightly smaller than Connecticut
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
petroleum, natural gas, fish
arable land: 1.21%
permanent crops: 0.17%
other: 98.62% (2011)
total: 0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%)
per capita: 376.9 cu m/yr (2005)
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
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
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
2,042,444 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
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.)
total dependency ratio: 17.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 16 %
elderly dependency ratio: 1.2 %
potential support ratio: 83.9 (2013)
total: 32.4 years
male: 33.4 years
female: 28 years (2013 est.)
4.19% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
10.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
1.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 226
33.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
urban population: 98.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)
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.)
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 167
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.)
total population: 78.24 years
country comparison to the world: 54
male: 76.27 years
female: 80.25 years (2013 est.)
1.92 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
1.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 190
2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
33.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
2.5% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.3%
male: 96.5%
female: 95.4% (2010 est.)
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2011)
total: 1.3%
country comparison to the world: 146
male: 0.4%
female: 8.9% (2011)
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
name: Doha
geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal
3 September 1971 (from the UK)
Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)
previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 (2013)
mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
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
elections: the position of amir is hereditary
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
$185.3 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$189.8 billion (2012 est.)
6.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$100,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
58.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
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%
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 72.4%
services: 27.5% (2012 est.)
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
4.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
1.339 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
0.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)
revenues: $76.22 billion
expenditures: $48.96 billion (2012 est.)
40.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
14.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
32.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
4.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
5.38% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$24.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$97.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$149.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$125.4 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 37
$61.59 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$133 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Japan 26.7%, South Korea 19%, India 12.1%, Singapore 5.7%, China 5.4% (2012)
$30.79 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
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)
$33.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$134.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$32.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$26.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -
32.34 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
20.51 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
4.893 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
1.579 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
1.106 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 13
287,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
210,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
133.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
113.7 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 3
64.46 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
327,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 111
2.6 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
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)
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)
897 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 173
563,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
6 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 178
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
condensate 288 km; condensate/gas 221 km; gas 2,383 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 745 km; refined products 103 km (2013)
total: 9,830 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 135
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)
major seaport(s): Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan
Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2013)
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2013)
males age 16-49: 389,487
females age 16-49: 165,572 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 321,974
females age 16-49: 140,176 (2010 est.)
male: 6,429
female: 5,162 (2010 est.)
