2013 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 the father 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 Jazeera 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)

0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%) 376.9 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

376.9 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%)

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Geography - note

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Irrigated land

129.4 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

60 km Saudi Arabia 60 km

border countries

Saudi Arabia 60 km

total

60 km

Land use

1.21% 0.17% 98.62% (2011)

arable land

1.21%

other

98.62% (2011)

permanent crops

0.17%

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

0.06 cu km (2011)

Age structure

12.5% (male 129,465/female 125,623) 13.9% (male 208,625/female 74,881) 69.5% (male 1,170,547/female 248,369) 3.3% (male 52,799/female 15,411) 0.8% (male 10,214/female 6,510) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

12.5% (male 129,465/female 125,623)

15-24 years

13.9% (male 208,625/female 74,881)

25-54 years

69.5% (male 1,170,547/female 248,369)

55-64 years

3.3% (male 52,799/female 15,411)

65 years and over

0.8% (male 10,214/female 6,510) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

10.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

43.2% (1998)

Death rate

1.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

17.2 % 16 % 1.2 % 83.9 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

1.2 %

potential support ratio

83.9 (2013)

total dependency ratio

17.2 %

youth dependency ratio

16 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2011)

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

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 live births 6.86 deaths/1,000 live births 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

6.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

78.24 years 76.27 years 80.25 years (2013 est.)

female

80.25 years (2013 est.)

total population

78.24 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 urban areas - population

DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

32.4 years 33.4 years 28 years (2013 est.)

female

28 years (2013 est.)

male

33.4 years

total

32.4 years

Nationality

Qatari(s) Qatari

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Net migration rate

33.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

33.2% (2008)

Physicians density

2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

2,042,444 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

4.19% (2013 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 (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 12 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 2.83 male(s)/female 4.61 male(s)/female 3.41 male(s)/female 1.5 male(s)/female 3.29 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

2.83 male(s)/female

25-54 years

4.61 male(s)/female

55-64 years

3.41 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

1.3% 0.4% 8.9% (2011)

female

8.9% (2011)

total

1.3%

Urbanization

98.8% of total population (2011) 3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

98.8% of total population (2011)

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

previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 (2013)

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 (since 11 September 2011) Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha P. O. Box 2399, Doha [974] 4496-6000 [974] 4488 4298

chief of mission

Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH (since 11 September 2011)

embassy

Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha

FAX

[974] 4488 4298

mailing address

P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone

[974] 4496-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI (since 29 March 2012) 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 (since 29 March 2012)

consulate(s) general

Houston

FAX

[1] (202) 237-0061

telephone

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

Executive branch

Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013); 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 TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)

elections

the position of amir is hereditary

head of government

Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013); 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

Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members) note - the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Judicial Supreme Council were established in 1999 Cassation Court judges nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; Sharia Courts; Courts of Justice

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members)

judge selection and term of office

Cassation Court judges nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; Sharia Courts; Courts of Justice

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 are expected to 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

$76.22 billion $48.96 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$48.96 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$76.22 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

14.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 4.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.38% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.49% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$61.59 billion (2012 est.) $51.98 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$134.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $127.9 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 grew sharply 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 6.6% 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, light rail system, and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway. The Hamad International Airport is projected to open by the end of 2013 with an annual passenger capacity of 24 million.

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

$133 billion (2012 est.) $114.3 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 26.7%, South Korea 19%, India 12.1%, Singapore 5.7%, China 5.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

13.1% 11.6% 30.6% -0.8% 74.1% -28.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

74.1%

government consumption

11.6%

household consumption

13.1%

imports of goods and services

-28.6%

investment in fixed capital

30.6%

investment in inventories

-0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.1% 72.4% 27.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.1%

industry

72.4%

services

27.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$100,900 (2012 est.) $102,100 (2011 est.) $91,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2012 est.) 13% (2011 est.) 16.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$189.8 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$185.3 billion (2012 est.) $174.4 billion (2011 est.) $154.4 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

58.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 56.5% of GDP (2011 est.) 48.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.3% 35.9% (2007)

highest 10%

35.9% (2007)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$30.79 billion (2012 est.) $26.93 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 14.2%, UAE 11.4%, Saudi Arabia 8.6%, UK 6.4%, Japan 6%, China 4.8%, Germany 4.7%, Italy 4.4%, France 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4.6% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

1.339 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

32.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 34.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$33.19 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

$26.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $25.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$32.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $31.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$149.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $121.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$24.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.49 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

40.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

64.46 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.106 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.579 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

20.51 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.893 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

32.34 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

113.7 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

133.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

210,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

287,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

TV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government, but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha (2012)

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 (2011)

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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

327,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.6 million (2012)

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

Heliports

1 (2013)

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 288 km; condensate/gas 221 km; gas 2,383 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 745 km; refined products 103 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways

9,830 km (2010)

total

9,830 km (2010)

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) (2013)

Military expenditures

10% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2013)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,200 (2012)

stateless persons

1,200 (2012)