2010 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 second-highest per capita income in the world.

Area

land

11,586 sq km

total

11,586 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

highest point

Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 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)

per capita

358 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)

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

border countries

Saudi Arabia 60 km

total

60 km

Land use

arable land

1.64%

other

98.09% (2005)

permanent crops

0.27%

Location

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

territorial sea

12 nm

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 93,805/female 88,040) 15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004) 65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

15.54 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

2.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 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

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

11.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

13.02 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.24 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.33 years (2010 est.)

male

73.78 years

total population

75.51 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2004 census)

male

89.1%

total population

89%

Median age

female

25.4 years (2010 est.)

male

32.9 years

total

30.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Net migration rate

-4.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

840,926 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.869% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.056 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.44 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.36 male(s)/female

total population

1.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.44 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

96% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal

Capital

geographic coordinates

25 17 N, 51 32 E

name

Doha

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

FAX

[974] 488 4150

mailing address

P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone

[974] 488 4161

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI

consulate(s) general

Houston

FAX

[1] (202) 237-0061

telephone

[1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the amir (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

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 amir (selected Heir Apparent by the amir on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

elections

the amir 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

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)

Flag description

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

emirate

Independence

3 September 1971 (from the UK)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA (observer), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, 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 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; elections to the Majlis al-Shura are tentatively scheduled for June 2010

National 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

name

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

National holiday

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

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

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2009) 5.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.04% (31 December 2009 est.) 6.84% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$20.11 billion (2010 est.) $809 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$71.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar has prospered in the last several years - in 2010 Qatar had the world's highest growth rate. Qatari authorities throughout the crisis sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP rebounded in 2010 largely due to the increase in oil prices. 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 second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and likely the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, about 14% 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 and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.

Electricity - consumption

13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2010), 3.64 (2009), 3.64 (2008), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006)

Exports

$57.82 billion (2010 est.) $33.28 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 34.68%, South Korea 22.44%, Singapore 10.03%, India 4.86% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0.1%

industry

78.8%

services

21.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$145,300 (2010 est.) $122,800 (2009 est.) $113,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

19.4% (2010 est.) 9.5% (2009 est.) 11.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$126.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$122.2 billion (2010 est.) $102.3 billion (2009 est.) $93.44 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$23.38 billion (2010 est.) $20.89 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 13.43%, Italy 8.34%, South Korea 8.33%, Japan 8.04%, Germany 7.31%, France 6.26%, UK 5.59%, China 5%, UAE 4.67%, Saudi Arabia 3.96% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

27.1% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2010 est.) -4.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

33% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.254 million (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$87.86 billion (31 December 2009) $76.31 billion (31 December 2008) $95.49 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

56.78 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

25.47 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

142,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

753,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - production

1.213 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

10.3% of GDP (2010 est.) 14% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$22.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $18.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$65.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $59.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$19.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $14.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$26.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $20.75 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$70.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $69.21 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of narrow money

$15.98 billion (31 December 2010 est) $14.59 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

0.5% (2010 est.) 0.5% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

television and radio broadcast media are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari Government; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Doha (2007)

Internet country code

.qa

Internet hosts

822 (2010)

Internet users

563,800 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 300 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

modern system centered in Doha

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 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

285,300 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.472 million (2009)

Airports

6 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 14, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4

foreign-owned

7 (Kuwait 7)

registered in other countries

30 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 24, Panama 1) (2010)

total

29

Pipelines

condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 980 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways

total

7,790 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 387,399 females age 16-49: 163,652 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 320,277 females age 16-49: 138,558 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

5,144 (2010 est.)

male

6,403

Military branches

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)

Military expenditures

10% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

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 2 Watch List - the Government of Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in February 2009, Qatar enacted a new migrant worker sponsorship law that criminalizes some practices commonly used by trafficking offenders, and it announced plans to use that law effectively to prevent human trafficking; punishment for offenses related to trafficking in persons remains lower than that for crimes such as rape and kidnapping, and the Qatari government has yet to take significant action to investigate, prosecute, and punish trafficking offenses; the government continues to lack formal victim identification procedures and, as a result, victims of trafficking are likely punished for acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked (2009) page last updated on January 27, 2011 ======================================================================