2017 Edition

Background

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. The continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenue through the mid-1990s by Qatari amirs permanently residing in Europe had stunted Qatar’s economic growth. Former amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Since the outbreak of regional unrest, however, Doha has prided itself on its support for many of these popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria, although to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Qatar. In mid-2013, HAMAD transferred power to his 33 year-old son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad - a peaceful abdication rare in the history of Arab Gulf states. TAMIM oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE by later in 2014 and prioritized improving the domestic welfare of Qataris, including establishing advanced healthcare and education systems and expanding the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

Area

11,586 sq km 11,586 sq km 0 sq km

land

11,586 sq km

total

11,586 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

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

Coastline

563 km

Elevation

28 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point

Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

mean elevation

28 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

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Geography - note

the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Irrigated land

130 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

87 km Saudi Arabia 87 km

border countries (1)

Saudi Arabia 87 km

total

87 km

Land use

5.6% arable land 1.1%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 4.3% 0% 94.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

5.6%

forest

0%

other

94.4% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

Terrain

mostly flat and barren desert

Age structure

12.63% (male 148,021/female 144,252) 12.35% (male 206,055/female 79,859) 70.59% (male 1,359,383/female 274,334) 3.42% (male 61,051/female 18,203) 1% (male 14,932/female 8,217) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

12.63% (male 148,021/female 144,252)

15-24 years

12.35% (male 206,055/female 79,859)

25-54 years

70.59% (male 1,359,383/female 274,334)

55-64 years

3.42% (male 61,051/female 18,203)

65 years and over

1% (male 14,932/female 8,217) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

9.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

37.5% (2012)

Death rate

1.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

17.5 16.3 1.3 78.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

1.3

potential support ratio

78.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

17.5

youth dependency ratio

16.3

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)

Health expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

6.2 deaths/1,000 live births 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

6.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

78.9 years 76.8 years 81 years (2017 est.)

female

81 years (2017 est.)

male

76.8 years

total population

78.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.3% 97.4% 96.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.8% (2015 est.)

male

97.4%

total population

97.3%

Major urban areas - population

DOHA (capital) 718,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

13 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

33.2 years 34.3 years 28.1 years (2017 est.)

female

28.1 years (2017 est.)

male

34.3 years

total

33.2 years

Nationality

Qatari(s) Qatari

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Net migration rate

14.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

35.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.96 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

2,314,307 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

Population growth rate

2.27% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim 67.7%, Christian 13.8%, Hindu 13.8%, Buddhist 3.1%, folk religion

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 2% of population total: 2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

2% of population

total

2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 2.64 male(s)/female 4.91 male(s)/female 3.38 male(s)/female 1.71 male(s)/female 3.41 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

2.64 male(s)/female

25-54 years

4.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years

3.38 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.71 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

3.41 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

0.6% 0.2% 2.2% (2015 est.)

female

2.2% (2015 est.)

male

0.2%

total

0.6%

Urbanization

99.4% of total population (2017) 1.63% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.63% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

99.4% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, 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)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Qatar no 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Qatar

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

20 years; 15 years if an Arab national

Constitution

previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 proposed by the emir or by one-third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended (2016)

amendments

proposed by the emir or by one-third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended (2016)

history

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

Country name

State of Qatar Qatar Dawlat Qatar Qatar closest approximation of the native pronunciation is gattar or cottar the origin of the name is uncertain, but it dates back at least 2,000 years since a term "Catharrei" was used to describe the inhabitants of the peninsula by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.), and a "Catara" peninsula is depicted on a map by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)

conventional long form

State of Qatar

conventional short form

Qatar

etymology

the origin of the name is uncertain, but it dates back at least 2,000 years since a term "Catharrei" was used to describe the inhabitants of the peninsula by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.), and a "Catara" peninsula is depicted on a map by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)

local long form

Dawlat Qatar

local short form

Qatar

note

closest approximation of the native pronunciation is gattar or cottar

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William GRANT (since 23 July 2017) 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, Doha P. O. Box 2399, Doha [974] 4496-6000 [974] 4488-4298

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William GRANT (since 23 July 2017)

embassy

22 February Street, Al Luqta District, Doha

FAX

[974] 4488-4298

mailing address

P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone

[974] 4496-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador MISHAL bin Hamad bin Muhammad Al Thani (since 24 April 2017) 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 274-1600 [1] (202) 237-0682 Houston, Los Angeles

chancery

2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador MISHAL bin Hamad bin Muhammad Al Thani (since 24 April 2017)

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 237-0682

telephone

[1] (202) 274-1600

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 monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the amir

chief of state

Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir

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

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

absolute monarchy

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, OIF, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members) Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the Amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; courts of first instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or 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

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

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; courts of first instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally

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 (35 seats; members appointed by the monarch) the 2003 constitution calls for a 45-member council with 30 members directly elected by popular vote for 4-year re-electable terms and 15 appointed by the monarch to serve until resignation or until relieved; election for the new Council was initially scheduled for 2007 but has been extended several times, the latest to June 2019

description

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed by the monarch)

note

the 2003 constitution calls for a 45-member council with 30 members directly elected by popular vote for 4-year re-electable terms and 15 appointed by the monarch to serve until resignation or until relieved; election for the new Council was initially scheduled for 2007 but has been extended several times, the latest to June 2019

National anthem

"Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Amiri Salute) Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN adopted 1996; anthem 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 Amiri Salute)

note

adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar

National holiday

National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

National symbol(s)

a maroon field surmounted by a white serrated band with nine white points; national colors: maroon, white

a maroon field surmounted by a white serrated band with nine white points; national colors

maroon, white

Political parties and leaders

political parties are banned

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$39.67 billion $52.67 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$52.67 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$39.67 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.5% (31 December 2012) 4.93% (31 December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.51% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-7.679 billion (2016 est.) $13.75 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$157.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $141.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem a $12 billion budget deficit in 2016 - 7.8% of GDP. Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total.

Exchange rates

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2016 est.) 3.64 (2015 est.) 3.64 (2014 est.) 3.64 (2013 est.) 3.64 (2012 est.)

Exports

$57.25 billion (2016 est.) $77.29 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 20%, South Korea 15.5%, India 13.1%, China 8.2%, UAE 5.5%, Singapore 5.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

25.8% 23.1% 43.6% 1.6% 47.5% -41.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

47.5%

government consumption

23.1%

household consumption

25.8%

imports of goods and services

-41.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

43.6%

investment in inventories

1.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.2% 54.6% 52% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.2%

industry

54.6%

services

52% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$125,100 (2016 est.) $131,500 (2015 est.) $139,700 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) 4% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$155.8 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$327.6 billion (2016 est.) $316.4 billion (2015 est.) $302.3 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

44% of GDP (2016 est.) 46.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 55.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.3% 35.9% (2007)

highest 10%

35.9% (2007)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$31.93 billion (2016 est.) $28.5 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 13.7%, Germany 9.8%, UAE 9.2%, China 8.6%, Japan 7.2%, UK 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Italy 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

0.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2016 est.) 1.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

1.896 million (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$142.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $185.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $152.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

55.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 42.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $37.26 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$136.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $142.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$57.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $49.73 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$35.31 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $34.53 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$224.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $200.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$35.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $34.87 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.7% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

92 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.255 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.523 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

25.24 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

36.53 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8.836 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

39.01 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

45,165 98% 98% 93% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

93% (2012)

electrification - total population

98%

electrification - urban areas

98%

population without electricity

45,165

Natural gas - consumption

49.64 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

123.9 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

164 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

24.3 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

280,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

544,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

245.3 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

278,300 bbl/day (2014 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; in August 2013, Qatar's satellite company Es'hailSat launched its first communications satellite Es'hail 1 (manufactured in the US), which entered commercial service in December 2013 to provide improved television broadcasting capability and expand availability of voice and Internet; Es'hailSat expects to launch its second satellite in 2018 (2014)

Internet country code

.qa

Internet users

2,129,360 94.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

94.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,129,360

Telephone system

modern system centered in Doha combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 175 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 (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 175 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

467,148 21 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

21 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

467,148

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,552,579 157 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

157 (July 2016 est.)

total

3,552,579

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

A7 (2016)

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)

by type

bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 13, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4

foreign-owned

6 (Kuwait 6)

registered in other countries

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

total

28

National air transport system

25,263,224 7,563,307,390 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

7,563,307,390 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

25,263,224

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

199

number of registered air carriers

2

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 Ras Laffan

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Ras Laffan

major seaport(s)

Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan

Roadways

9,830 km (2010)

total

9,830 km (2010)

Military branches

Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2013)

Military service age and obligation

conscription for males aged 18-35; 4-month general obligation, 3 months for graduates (2014)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,200 (2016)

stateless persons

1,200 (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Qatar is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution; the predominantly foreign workforce migrates to Qatar legally for low- and semi-skilled work but often experiences situations of forced labor, including debt bondage, delayed or nonpayment of salaries, confiscation of passports, abuse, hazardous working conditions, and squalid living arrangements; foreign female domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to trafficking because of their isolation in private homes and lack of protection under Qatari labor laws; some women who migrate for work are also forced into prostitution Tier 2 Watch List – Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government investigated 11 trafficking cases but did not prosecute or convict any offenders, including exploitative employers and recruitment agencies; the primary solution for resolving labor violations was to transfer a worker’s sponsorship to a new employer with minimal effort to investigate whether a forced labor violation had occurred; authorities increased their efforts to protect some trafficking victims, although many victims of forced labor, particularly domestic workers, remained unidentified and unprotected and were sometimes punished for immigration violations or running away from an employer or sponsor; authorities visited worksites throughout the country to meet and educate workers and employers on trafficking regulations, but the government failed to abolish or reform the sponsorship system, perpetuating Qatar’s forced labor problem (2015)

current situation

Qatar is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution; the predominantly foreign workforce migrates to Qatar legally for low- and semi-skilled work but often experiences situations of forced labor, including debt bondage, delayed or nonpayment of salaries, confiscation of passports, abuse, hazardous working conditions, and squalid living arrangements; foreign female domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to trafficking because of their isolation in private homes and lack of protection under Qatari labor laws; some women who migrate for work are also forced into prostitution

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government investigated 11 trafficking cases but did not prosecute or convict any offenders, including exploitative employers and recruitment agencies; the primary solution for resolving labor violations was to transfer a worker’s sponsorship to a new employer with minimal effort to investigate whether a forced labor violation had occurred; authorities increased their efforts to protect some trafficking victims, although many victims of forced labor, particularly domestic workers, remained unidentified and unprotected and were sometimes punished for immigration violations or running away from an employer or sponsor; authorities visited worksites throughout the country to meet and educate workers and employers on trafficking regulations, but the government failed to abolish or reform the sponsorship system, perpetuating Qatar’s forced labor problem (2015)