2008 Edition

Background

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 highest per capita income in the world.

Area

total: 11,437 sq km land: 11,437 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

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

Coastline

563 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Geography - note

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Irrigated land

130 sq km (2002)

Land boundaries

total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Land use

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

Location

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Terrain

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Total renewable water resources

0.1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 92,896/female 87,201) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 451,127/female 182,330) 65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,545/female 4,690) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

15.69 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

2.47 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.09% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.19 years male: 73.5 years female: 76.98 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 30.7 years male: 32.8 years female: 25.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari

Net migration rate

-2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

824,789 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

1.093% (2008 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.47 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.4 male(s)/female total population: 2.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.47 children born/woman (2008 est.)

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

Capital

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

Constitution

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

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

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

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

FAX

[1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston

[974] 488 4150

Flag description

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Government type

emirate

Independence

3 September 1971 (from UK)

International organization participation

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

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

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

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $27.12 billion expenditures: $22.55 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.43% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

Qatari rial (QAR)

Currency code

QAR

Current account balance

$10.41 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$2.18 million (2004)

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 the highest per-capita income country and one of the world's fastest growing. 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.

Electricity - consumption

13.19 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

14.41 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003)

Exports

$42.02 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 39.9%, South Korea 19.9%, Singapore 9.9%, India 5.1%, Thailand 4.9%, UAE 4% (2007)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 0.1% industry: 77.8% services: 22.1% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$87,600 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

8.4% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$67.76 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$71.42 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$19.86 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 13.3%, Italy 10.8%, Japan 8.9%, France 7.9%, Germany 7.3%, UK 5.7%, South Korea 5.6%, UAE 5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.3% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2007 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13.7% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

43.3% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

881,000 (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$61.56 billion (2006)

Natural gas - consumption

20.5 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

39.3 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

59.8 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

25.63 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

108,900 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

1.026 million bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

1.125 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

11% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$5.625 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$11.18 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$30.52 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$9.718 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$22.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

0.7% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.qa

Internet hosts

563 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

351,000 (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

256,000 (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density is roughly 165 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

Telephones - main lines in use

237,400 (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.264 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions

230,000 (1997)

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)

Merchant marine

total: 22 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7) registered in other countries: 5 (Liberia 4, Panama 1) (2008)

Pipelines

condensate 322 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,970 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 741 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Doha, Ra's Laffan

Roadways

total: 7,790 km (2006)

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 militarily significant age annually

male: 6,224 female: 4,845 (2008 est.)

Military branches

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007)

Military expenditures

10% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

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 failed, for the second consecutive year, to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government made little progress to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized (2008) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008