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. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

 

GEOGRAPHY

• Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
  
  
• Geographic Coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
  
  
• Map reference: Middle East
  
  
• Area: Total: 11,437 sq km Land: 11,437 sq km Water: 0 sq km
  
  
• Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Connecticut
  
  
• Land boundaries: Total: 60 km Border Countries: Saudi Arabia 60 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 covered with loose sand and gravel
  
  
• Elevation extremes: Lowest Point: Persian Gulf 0 m Highest Point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
  
  
• Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
  
  
• Land use: Arable land: 1.64% Permanent Crops: 0.27% Other: 98.09% (2005)
  
  
• Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2002)
  
  
• Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (1997)
  
  
• Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): Total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)
  Per Capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)
  
  
• Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
  
  
• Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
  
  
• Environment - international agreements: 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
  
  
• Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

 

PEOPLE

• Population: 928,635 (July 2008 est.)
  
  
• Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 108,063/female 103,887)
  15-64 years: 72.9% (male 463,942/female 213,137)
  65 years and over: 4.3% (male 29,515/female 10,091) (2008 est.)
  
  
• Median age: Total: 32.1 years
  Male: 37.5 years
  Female: 23.4 years (2008 est.)
  
  
• Population growth rate: 2.279% (2008 est.)
  
  
• Birth rate: 15.56 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
  
  
• Death rate: 4.94 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
  
  
• Net migration rate: 12.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
  
  
• Sex ratio: At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-64 years: 2.18 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 2.92 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.84 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
  
  
• Infant mortality rate: Total: 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 19.93 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
  
  
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.38 years
  male: 71.82 years
  female: 77.07 years (2008 est.)
  
  
• Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (2008 est.)
  
  
• HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (2001 est.)
  
  
• HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
  
  
• HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
  
  
• Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari
  
  
• Ethnic groups: Definition: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
  
  
• Religions: Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
  
  
• Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
  
  
• Literacy: Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  Total population: 89%
  Male: 89.1%
  Female: 88.6% (2004 census)

 

GOVERNMENT

• Country name: 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
  
  
• Government type: Emirate
  
  
• Capital: Name: Doha
  Geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
  Time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
  
  
• Administrative divisions: 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal
  
  
• Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
  
  
• National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December
  
  
• Constitution: Ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
  
  
• Legal system: 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
  
  
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
  
  
• Executive branch: 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 monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch 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 monarch
  Elections: the monarch 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
  
  
• Legislative branch: 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 two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura
  
  
• Judicial branch: 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
  
  
• Political parties and leaders: none
  
  
• Political pressure groups and leaders: none
  
  
• International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  
  
• Diplomatic representation in the US: 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
  
  
• Diplomatic representation from the US: Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); charge d'Affaires Michael A. RATNEY
  Embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
  Mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
  Telephone: [974] 488 4298
  FAX: [974] 488 4176
  
  
• Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
  
  

 

ECONOMY

• Economy overview: Qatar is in the midst of an economic boom supported by its expanding production of natural gas and oil. Economic policy is focused on development of Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors. Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar one of the world's faster growing and higher per-capita income countries - equal to the EU in 2007 per-capita income. Sustained high oil prices and increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 22 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are roughly 25 trillion cubic meters, about 15% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and became the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007.
  
  
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $57.69 billion (2007)
  
  
• GDP (official exchange rate): $65.81 billion (2007 est.)
  
  
• GDP - real growth rate: 7.8% (2007 est.)
  
  
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $75,900 (2007 est.)
  
  
• GDP - composition by sector: Agriculture: 0.1%
  Industry: 73.5%
  Services: 26.4% (2007 est.)
  
  
• Labor force: 638,000 (2007 est.)
  
  
• Unemployment rate: 0.7% (2007 est.)
  
  
• Population below poverty line: NA%
  
  
• Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  
  
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.7% (2007)
  
  
• Investment (gross fixed): 43.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
  
  
• Budget: Revenues: $23.5 billion
  Expenditures: $19.61 billion (2007 est.)
  
  
• Public debt: 23.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
  
  
• Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
  
  
• Industries: Crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
  
  
• Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2007 est.)
  
  
• Electricity production: 13.54 billion kWh (2005)
  
  
• Electricity exports: 0 kWh (2005)
  
  
• Electricity imports: 0 kWh (2005)
  
  
• Oil production: 1.111 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
  
  
• Oil consumption: 95,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
  
  
• Oil exports: 960,600 bbl/day (2004)
  
  
• Oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2004)
  
  
• Oil proved reserves: 15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
  
  
• Natural gas production: 43.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
  
  
• Natural gas consumption: 17.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
  
  
• Natural gas exports: 25.99 billion cu m (2005 est.)
  
  
• Natural gas imports: 0 cu m (2005)
  
  
• Natural gas proved reserves: 25.79 trillion cu m (1 January 2007 est.)
  
  
• Current account balance: $7.733 billion (2007 est.)
  
  
• Exports: $33.28 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
  
  
• Exports commodities: liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
  
  
• Exports partners: Japan 40.2%, South Korea 16.4%, Singapore 6.5%, Thailand 4.1% (2006)
  
  
• Imports: $15.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
  
  
• Imports commodities: Machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
  
  
• Imports partners: France 13.3%, Japan 10.2%, US 9.3%, Italy 8.9%, Germany 7.9%, UK 6.2%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, South Korea 4.7% (2006)
  
  
• Economic aid recipient: $2.18 million (2004)
  
  
• Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.368 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
  
  
• Debt external: $31.07 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
  
  
• Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $10.63 billion (2006 est.)
  
  
• Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $2.525 billion (2006 est.)
  
  
• Market value of publicly traded shares: $61.56 billion (2006)
  
  
• Currency (code): Qatari rial (QAR)
  
  
• Exchange rates: Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003)
  
  
• Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
  
  

 

COMMUNICATIONS

• Telephones main lines in use: 228,300 (2006)
  
  
• Telephones mobile cellular: 919,800 (2006)
  
  
• Telephone system: General assessment: modern system centered in Doha
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density is roughly 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
  
  
• Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
  
  
• Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
  
  
• Internet country code: qa
  
  
• Internet hosts: 19 (2007)
  
  
• Internet users: 289,900 (2006)
  
  

 

TRANSPORTATION

• Airports: 5 (2007)
  
  
• Airports with paved runways: Total: 3
  over 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
  
  
• Airports with unpaved runways: Total: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m: 1 (2007)
  
  
• Heliports: 1 (2007)
  
  
• Pipelines: Condensate 322 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,970 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 741 km (2007)
  
  
• Roadways: Total: 1,230 km
  Paved: 1,107 km
  Unpaved: 123 km (1999)
  
  
• Merchant marine: Total: 20 ships (1000 GRT or over) 574,969 GRT/856,057 DWT
  By type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1
  Foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)
  Registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 2, Panama 1) (2007)
  
  
• Ports and terminals:: Doha, Ra's Laffan
  
  

 

MILITARY

• Military branches: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007)
  
  
• Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
  
  
• Manpower available for military service: Males age 16-49: 320,383
  Females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.)
  
  
• Manpower fit for military service: Males age 16-49: 258,159
  Females age 16-49: 143,999 (2008 est.)
  
  
• Manpower reaching military service age annually: Males age 16-49: 7,539
  Females age 16-49: 7,022 (2008 est.)
  
  
• Military expenditures percent of GDP: 10% (2005 est.)
  
  

 

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

• Disputes - international: none
  
  
• Trafficking in persons: 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 3 - Qatar's rating was downgraded to Tier 3 in the 2007 report for continuing to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government also failed to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2006; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes prosecuted under false charges in retaliation