{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "
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 hydrocarbon revenues. 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, Doha 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 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo from some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of hosting international sporting events. Qatar became the first country in the Arab world to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2022.
Following the outbreak of regional unrest in 2011, Doha prided itself on its support for many popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. This stance was to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Doha in 2014. TAMIM later oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in November 2014 following Kuwaiti mediation and signing of the Riyadh Agreement. This reconciliation, however, was short-lived. In 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE (the \"Quartet\") cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in response to alleged violations of the agreement, among other complaints. They restored ties in 2021 after signing a declaration at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. In 2022, the United States designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "25 30 N, 51 15 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Middle East" }, "Area": { "total ": { "text": "11,586 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "11,586 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "87 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "Saudi Arabia 87 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "563 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "contiguous zone": { "text": "24 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line" } }, "Climate": { "text": "arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers" }, "Terrain": { "text": "mostly flat and barren desert" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Persian Gulf 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "28 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "petroleum, fish, natural gas" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "6.4% (2023 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 1.8% (2023 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 4.4% (2023 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "0.1% (2023 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "93.4% (2023 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "130 sq km (2022)" }, "Major aquifers": { "text": "Arabian Aquifer System" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "haze, dust storms, sandstorms common" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "total": { "text": "2,568,426 (2025 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "1,970,605" }, "female": { "text": "597,821" } }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Qatari(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Qatari" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)" }, "Languages": { "Languages": { "text": "Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language" }, "major-language sample(s)": { "text": "
high-income, oil-and-gas-based Middle Eastern economy; implementing “National Vision 2030” government strategy for economic development, diversification, and favorable business conditions to boost investment and employment; expansion of LNG sector expected to boost growth; Islamic finance leader
" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024": { "text": "$317.064 billion (2024 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { "text": "$308.522 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": { "text": "$304.903 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2024": { "text": "2.8% (2024 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2023": { "text": "1.2% (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2022": { "text": "4.2% (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2024": { "text": "$110,900 (2024 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2023": { "text": "$116,200 (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2022": { "text": "$114,700 (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$217.983 billion (2024 est.)", "note": "note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024": { "text": "1.3% (2024 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": { "text": "3% (2023 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": { "text": "5% (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual % change based on consumer prices" }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "0.3% (2024 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "58.5% (2024 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "45.9% (2024 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data" }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "19.5% (2022 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "12.9% (2022 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "30.6% (2022 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "0% (2022 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "68.6% (2022 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-31.6% (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection" }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "dates, chicken, tomatoes, camel milk, vegetables, cucumbers/gherkins, pumpkins/squash, eggs, sheep milk, eggplants (2023)", "note": "note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage" }, "Industries": { "text": "liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "1.6% (2024 est.)", "note": "note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency" }, "Labor force": { "text": "2.123 million (2024 est.)", "note": "note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work" }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2024": { "text": "0.2% (2024 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2023": { "text": "0.2% (2023 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2022": { "text": "0.2% (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force seeking employment" }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "0.4% (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "0.1% (2024 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "1.2% (2024 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": { "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017": { "text": "35.1 (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality" }, "Average household expenditures": { "on food": { "text": "14.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)" }, "on alcohol and tobacco": { "text": "0.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "2.6% (2017 est.)" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "25.8% (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population" }, "Remittances": { "Remittances 2024": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)" }, "Remittances 2023": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, "Remittances 2022": { "text": "0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities" }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$65.922 billion (2019 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$57.258 billion (2019 est.)" } }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2016": { "text": "46.7% of GDP (2016 est.)" } }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2024": { "text": "$38.117 billion (2024 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2023": { "text": "$36.453 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2022": { "text": "$63.118 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars" }, "Exports": { "Exports 2024": { "text": "$125.216 billion (2024 est.)" }, "Exports 2023": { "text": "$128.709 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Exports 2022": { "text": "$161.693 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "China 18%, India 11%, S. Korea 10%, Japan 7%, Pakistan 6% (2023)", "note": "note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, fertilizers (2023)", "note": "note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2024": { "text": "$69.692 billion (2024 est.)" }, "Imports 2023": { "text": "$72.174 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Imports 2022": { "text": "$74.52 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "USA 12%, China 12%, UAE 9%, UK 7%, India 5% (2023)", "note": "note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "gas turbines, cars, aircraft, iron pipes, ships (2023)", "note": "note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024": { "text": "$53.987 billion (2024 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": { "text": "$51.539 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": { "text": "$47.389 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars" }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { "text": "Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2024": { "text": "3.64 (2024 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2023": { "text": "3.64 (2023 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2022": { "text": "3.64 (2022 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "3.64 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "3.64 (2020 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "100% (2022 est.)" } }, "Electricity": { "installed generating capacity": { "text": "11.4 million kW (2023 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "51.965 billion kWh (2023 est.)" }, "transmission/distribution losses": { "text": "3.177 billion kWh (2023 est.)" } }, "Electricity generation sources": { "fossil fuels": { "text": "99.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)" }, "biomass and waste": { "text": "0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)" } }, "Coal": { "exports": { "text": "300 metric tons (2023 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)" } }, "Petroleum": { "total petroleum production": { "text": "1.818 million bbl/day (2023 est.)" }, "refined petroleum consumption": { "text": "268,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)" }, "crude oil estimated reserves": { "text": "25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.)" } }, "Natural gas": { "production": { "text": "171.805 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "48.034 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "124.747 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "23.861 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)" } }, "Energy consumption per capita": { "Total energy consumption per capita 2023": { "text": "814.308 million Btu/person (2023 est.)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "526,000 (2023 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "18 (2023 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "4.68 million (2024 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "154 (2024 est.)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled TV and radio licensing and access to local media markets; home of satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally state-owned but is now independent; local radio includes state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies; satellite TV available (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".qa" }, "Internet users": { "percent of population": { "text": "100% (2023 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "347,000 (2023 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "12 (2023 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "A7" }, "Airports": { "text": "8 (2025)" }, "Heliports": { "text": "12 (2025)" }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "123 (2023)" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 5, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 2, other 108" } }, "Ports": { "total ports": { "text": "6 (2024)" }, "large": { "text": "0" }, "medium": { "text": "1" }, "small": { "text": "2" }, "very small": { "text": "3" }, "ports with oil terminals": { "text": "5" }, "key ports": { "text": "Al Rayyan Terminal, Al Shaheen Terminal, Doha, Jazirat Halul, Ras Laffan, Umm Said" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Qatar Armed Forces (QAF): Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)