2012 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. 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 (2002)

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

12.5% (male 124,303/ female 120,568) 86.7% (male 1,362,994/ female 328,223) 0.8% (male 9,312/ female 6,191) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

12.5% (male 124,303/ female 120,568)

15-64 years

86.7% (male 1,362,994/ female 328,223)

65 years and over

0.8% (male 9,312/ female 6,191) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.23 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

1.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

6.81 deaths/1,000 live births 7.08 deaths/1,000 live births 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

6.81 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

78.09 years 76.11 years 80.12 years (2012 est.)

female

80.12 years (2012 est.)

total population

78.09 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.3% 96.5% 95.4% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.4% (2010 est.)

male

96.5%

total population

96.3%

Major cities - population

DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

32.2 years 33.2 years 27.8 years (2012 est.)

female

27.8 years (2012 est.)

male

33.2 years

total

32.2 years

Nationality

Qatari(s) Qatari

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Net migration rate

40.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

2.757 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

1,951,591 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

4.93% (2012 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

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

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

1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 4.15 male(s)/female 1.5 male(s)/female 3.29 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

4.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.5 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.93 children born/woman (2012 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 Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI 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 Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI

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 Minister Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD (since 20 September 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the amir the position of amir is hereditary

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 position of amir is hereditary

head of government

Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD (since 20 September 2011)

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, 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

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 to be elected by popular vote beginning mid- or late 2013, per the 2003 constitutional referendum) 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 will 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

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 (1878) (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

$62.66 billion $51.19 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$51.19 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$62.66 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5% (31 December 2012 est.) 4.6% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$58.57 billion (2012 est.) $51.98 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$137 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $125.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

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 had rebounded 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 6.3% 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 and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.

Exchange rates

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2012 est.) 3.64 (2011 est.) 3.64 (2010 est.) 3.64 (2009) 3.64 (2008)

Exports

$117.7 billion (2012 est.) $114.3 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 25.7%, South Korea 17.7%, India 9.6%, Singapore 6.3%, UK 6.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition by sector

0.1% 77.8% 22.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.1%

industry

77.8%

services

22.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$102,800 (2012 est.) $100,600 (2011 est.) $91,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.3% (2012 est.) 14.1% (2011 est.) 16.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$184.6 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$189 billion (2012 est.) $177.8 billion (2011 est.) $155.8 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.3% 35.9% (2007)

highest 10%

35.9% (2007)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$23.49 billion (2012 est.) $26.93 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 12.7%, UAE 12.3%, Saudi Arabia 9.3%, UK 6.2%, China 5.4%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 4.6%, France 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

27.1% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2012 est.) 1.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.338 million (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$125.4 billion (31 December 2011) $123.6 billion (31 December 2010) $87.86 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

32.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 34% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$25.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.82 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$97.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $85.16 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$37.34 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $31.56 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$43.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $38.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$140.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $121.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$26.47 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.49 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.5% (2012 est.) 0.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

64.68 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

704,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.631 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

25.57 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

17.33 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.893 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

22.28 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

94.9 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

25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

53,230 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

11,940 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

TV 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

897 (2012)

Internet users

563,800 (2009)

Telephone system

modern system centered in Doha combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 130 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

domestic

combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 130 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

Telephones - main lines in use

306,700 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.302 million (2011)

Airports

6 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 13, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4 6 (Kuwait 6) 35 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 29, Panama 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

6 (Kuwait 6)

registered in other countries

35 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 29, Panama 1) (2010)

total

28

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 Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2012)

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