Qatar Population: 2,042,444
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| 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 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. |
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| Geography | |
| Strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits | |
| Location: | Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia |
| Geographic coordinates: | 25 30 N, 51 15 E |
| Area: | total: 11,586 sq km land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Size comparison: slightly smaller than Connecticut |
| Land Boundaries: | total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km |
| Coastline: | 563 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line |
| Climate: | arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers |
| Terrain: | mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m |
| Natural resources: | petroleum, natural gas, fish |
| Land use: | arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 130 sq km (2002) |
| Natural hazards: | haze, dust storms, sandstorms common |
| Current Environment Issues: | limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities |
| International Environment 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 |
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| People | |
| Population: | 2,042,444 (July 2013 est.) |
| Age structure: | 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.) population pyramid: |
| Median age: | total: 32.2 years male: 33.2 years female: 27.8 years (2012 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 4.93% (2012 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 10.23 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Death rate: | 1.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 40.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 4.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.5 male(s)/female total population: 3.29 male(s)/female (2011 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 78.09 years male: 76.11 years female: 80.12 years (2012 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 1.92 children born/woman (2013 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | less than 0.1% (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | fewer than 200 (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | fewer than 100 (2009 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari |
| Ethnic groups: | Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% |
| Religions: | Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census) |
| Languages: | Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.5% female: 95.4% (2010 est.) |
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| Government | |
| Country name: | conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar |
| Government type: | emirate |
| Capital: | name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| 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 |
| Independence: | 3 September 1971 (from the UK) |
| National holiday: | Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne) |
| Constitution: | ratified by public referendum 29 April 2003; endorsed by the Amir 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 |
| Legal system: | mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters) |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | 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 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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the position of amir is hereditary |
| 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) note: 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 |
| 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 |
| Political parties and leaders: | none |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | none |
| 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 |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 consulate(s) general: Houston |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 4496-6000 FAX: [974] 4488 4298 |
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| Economy | |
| 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, 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. | |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | GDP (purchasing power parity): $189 billion (2012 est.) $177.8 billion (2011 est.) $155.8 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | GDP (official exchange rate): $184.6 billion (2012 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 6.3% (2012 est.) 14.1% (2011 est.) 16.7% (2010 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | GDP - per capita (PPP): $102,800 (2012 est.) $88,300 (2011 est.) $77,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 0.1% industry: 77.8% services: 22.1% (2012 est.) |
| Labor force: | 1.43 million (2012 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | |
| Unemployment rate: | 0.5% (2012 est.) 0.4% (2011 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | NA% |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 35.9% (2007) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2012 est.) 1.9% (2011 est.) |
| Investment (gross fixed): | Investment (gross fixed): 28.2% of GDP (2012 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $62.66 billion expenditures: $51.19 billion (2012 est.) |
| Public debt: | 32.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 34% of GDP (2011 est.) |
| Agriculture - products: | fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish |
| Industries: | liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 27.1% (2010 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | 28.14 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 |
| Electricity - consumption: | 26.38 billion kWh (2010 est.) |
| Electricity - exports: | 200,000 kWh (2010 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - production: | 116.7 billion cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 113.4 billion cu m (2011 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 0 cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) |
| Current account balance: | $58.57 billion (2012 est.) $53.57 billion (2011 est.) |
| Exports: | $117.7 billion (2012 est.) $112.4 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) |
| 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) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: | $25.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.82 billion (31 December 2011 est.) |
| Debt - external: | $137 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $125.6 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 direct foreign investment - abroad: | $37.34 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $30.48 billion (31 December 2011 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) |
| 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) |
| Fiscal year: | 1 April - 31 March |
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| Communications | |
| Telephones in use: | 306,700 (2011) country comparison to the world: 114 |
| Cellular Phones in use: | 2.302 million (2011) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: modern system centered in Doha domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 130 telephones per 100 persons 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) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | |
| Television broadcast stations: | |
| Internet country code: | .qa |
| Internet hosts: | 897 (2012) |
| Internet users: | 563,800 (2009) |
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| Transportation | |
| Airports: | 6 (2012) country comparison to the world: 173 |
| Airports (paved runways): | total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): | total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2012) |
| Heliports: | 1 (2012) |
| Pipelines: | condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 980 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2010) |
| Roadways: | total: 7,790 km (2006) |
| Merchant marine: | total: 28 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) |
| Ports and terminals: | Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan |
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| Military | |
| Military branches: | Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2012) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 389,487 females age 16-49: 165,572 (2010 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 321,974 females age 16-49: 140,176 (2010 est.) |
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