2011 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. Qatar has not experienced the level of unrest or violence seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth - it has the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar's international image is bolstered in part by the Doha-based Al Jazirah news network, which has provided comprehensive coverage of the Near East and North African Arab revolutions. Additionally, Qatar played a significant role in the Libyan revolution by pressing the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to assist the Libyan rebel movement.

Area

11,586 sq km 11,586 sq km 0 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

Persian Gulf 0 m Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

highest point

Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected 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)

0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%) 358 cu m/yr (2000)

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 (2008)

Land boundaries

60 km Saudi Arabia 60 km

border countries

Saudi Arabia 60 km

total

60 km

Land use

1.64% 0.27% 98.09% (2005)

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

12 nm 24 nm as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

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

21.8% (male 95,240/female 89,446) 76.7% (male 460,673/female 189,914) 1.5% (male 7,311/female 5,432) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

21.8% (male 95,240/female 89,446)

15-64 years

76.7% (male 460,673/female 189,914)

65 years and over

1.5% (male 7,311/female 5,432) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

15.48 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

2.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.4 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

12.05 deaths/1,000 live births 12.83 deaths/1,000 live births 11.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

11.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

12.05 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

75.7 years 73.96 years 77.53 years (2011 est.)

female

77.53 years (2011 est.)

total population

75.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 89% 89.1% 88.6% (2004 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2004 census)

male

89.1%

total population

89%

Major cities - population

DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.8 years 32.9 years 25.5 years (2011 est.)

female

25.5 years (2011 est.)

male

32.9 years

total

30.8 years

Nationality

Qatari(s) Qatari

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Net migration rate

-4.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

2.757 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

848,016 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.81% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 11 years 14 years (2009)

female

14 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.056 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 2.44 male(s)/female 1.36 male(s)/female 1.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

2.44 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.36 male(s)/female

at birth

1.056 male(s)/female

total population

1.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.43 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

1.6% 0.7% 7.5% (2007)

female

7.5% (2007)

total

1.6%

Urbanization

96% of total population (2010) 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

96% of total population (2010)

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

Doha 25 17 N, 51 32 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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 29 April 2003; endorsed by the Amir 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005

Country name

State of Qatar Qatar Dawlat Qatar Qatar closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

conventional long form

State of Qatar

conventional short form

Qatar

local long form

Dawlat Qatar

local short form

Qatar

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha P. O. Box 2399, Doha [974] 488 4161 [974] 488 4150

chief of mission

Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH

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

Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603 [1] (202) 237-0061 Houston

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

Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995); 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 Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007) and Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD Council of Ministers appointed by the amir the amir is hereditary 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

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the amir

chief of state

Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995); 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

head of government

Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007) and Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD

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 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 law organization participation

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

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, 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

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 15 members appointed; 30 members elected by popular vote) 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 have been rescheduled for 2013

National anthem

"Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem) Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN adopted 1996; the anthem was first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar

lyrics/music

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

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

Budget

$52.84 billion $31.61 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$31.61 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$52.84 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

16.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.34% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.27% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$15.04 billion (2010 est.) $6.688 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$75.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

41.1 (2007)

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 likely have made Qatar the highest per-capita income country - ahead of Liechtenstein - and the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves 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, 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

18.79 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

19.18 billion kWh (2009 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

$72.04 billion (2010 est.) $48.31 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 30.3%, South Korea 13.1%, India 8%, Singapore 7.7%, UK 4.2% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

0.1% 71.8% 28.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.1%

industry

71.8%

services

28.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$179,000 (2010 est.) $155,400 (2009 est.) $144,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

16.3% (2010 est.) 8.6% (2009 est.) 25.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$129.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$150.6 billion (2010 est.) $129.5 billion (2009 est.) $119.2 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.3% 35.9%

highest 10%

35.9%

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$20.94 billion (2010 est.) $22.45 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 15.5%, Germany 9%, UAE 7.3%, South Korea 6.5%, UK 6.1%, Japan 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Italy 5.3%, France 4.5%, China 4.2% (2010)

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)

-2.4% (2010 est.) -4.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

29.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.242 million (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$123.6 billion (31 December 2010) $87.86 billion (31 December 2009) $76.31 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

21.89 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

94.81 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

116.7 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

25.37 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

166,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

1.038 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

4,108 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

1.437 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

8.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 13.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.19 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $18.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$72.72 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

$89.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $74.39 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$18.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $14.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

40.8% of GDP (2010 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

modern system centered in Doha combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 300 telephones per 100 persons 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)

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

298,100 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.329 million (2010)

Airports

6 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 14, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4 7 (Kuwait 7) 30 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 24, Panama 1) (2010)

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 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways

7,790 km (2006)

total

7,790 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

389,487 165,572 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

165,572 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

389,487

Manpower fit for military service

321,974 140,176 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

140,176 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

321,974

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

6,429 5,162 (2010 est.)

female

5,162 (2010 est.)

male

6,429

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

Qatar is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution; men and women from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Sudan, Thailand, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and China voluntarily migrate to Qatar as low-skilled laborers and domestic servants, but some subsequently face conditions indicative of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; it did not demonstrate evidence of significant efforts to punish traffickers or proactively identify victims; however, the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would largely bring the country into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; it is devoting sufficient resources to implementing the plan (2011)

current situation

Qatar is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution; men and women from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Sudan, Thailand, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and China voluntarily migrate to Qatar as low-skilled laborers and domestic servants, but some subsequently face conditions indicative of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; it did not demonstrate evidence of significant efforts to punish traffickers or proactively identify victims; however, the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would largely bring the country into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; it is devoting sufficient resources to implementing the plan (2011)