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Qatar Historical and Political Profile








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Qatar Index

  • Qatar-EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Foreign Relations
  • Qatar-Impact of the Iran-Iraq War, 1980-88
  • Qatar-Internal Security
  • Qatar-Organization and Mission of the Forces
  • Qatar-DISCOVERY OF OIL
  • Qatar-Oil
  • Qatar-Organization and Equipment
  • Qatar-The Merchant Families
  • Qatar-Background Oman
  • Qatar-Mission of the Armed Forces
  • Qatar-Foreword
  • Qatar-Oil and Natural Gas Qatar -- The Economy
  • Qatar-Qatar
  • Qatar-Background Kuwait
  • Qatar-Agriculture and Fishing
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Government and Politics
  • Qatar-THE GULF IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
  • Qatar-Introduction
  • Qatar-Chapter 4 - Qatar
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Country Profile
  • Qatar-Money and Banking
  • Qatar-Role of Kuwaiti Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf War
  • Qatar-Opposition
  • Qatar-Historical Overview
  • Qatar-NATIONAL SECURITY
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Historical Background
  • Qatar-THE GULF IN THE MIDDLE AGES
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Health
  • Qatar-Collective Security under the Gulf Cooperation Council
  • Qatar-Territorial Disputes
  • Qatar-Budget
  • Qatar-TRIBAL NATURE OF GULF SOCIETY
  • Qatar-WAHHABI ISLAM AND THE GULF
  • Qatar-Persian Gulf War, 1991
  • Qatar-GEOGRAPHY COUNTRY
  • Qatar-Organization and Equipment of the Armed Forces
  • Qatar-Natural Gas
  • Qatar-Industry
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Population
  • Qatar-Background United Arab Emirates
  • Qatar-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
  • Qatar-Acknowledgments
  • Qatar-Military Capabilities of the Persian Gulf States
  • Qatar-Shia Islam
  • Qatar-Human Rights Practices
  • Qatar-Bahrain
  • Qatar-THE AGE OF COLONIALISM
  • Qatar-INDEPENDENCE
  • Qatar-Internal Security
  • Qatar-Qatar -- Geography
  • Qatar-The Spread of Islam
  • Qatar-Internal Security Problems
  • Qatar-TRADE IN THE GULF
  • Qatar-Trade
  • Qatar-Internal Security
  • Qatar-TREATIES WITH THE BRITISH
  • Qatar-Omani Role in the Persian Gulf War, 1991
  • Qatar-Chapter 7 - Regional and National Security Considerations
  • Qatar-SOCIETY
  • Qatar
  • Qatar
  • Qatar-Sunni Islam
  • Qatar-Personnel, Training, and Recruitment
  • Qatar
  • Qatar-PERSIAN GULF STATES -- QATAR
  • Qatar-Regional Security Problems
  • Qatar-Police and the Criminal Justice System
  • Qatar-DEVELOPMENTS SINCE INDEPENDENCE
  • Qatar-Preface
  • Qatar-Transportation and Telecommunications
  • Qatar-The Al Thani
  • Qatar
  • Qatar
  • Qatar-ECONOMY
  • Qatar-Chapter 1 - Historical Setting
  • Qatar-The Media
  • BackgroundRuled 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 second-highest per capita income in the world.
    LocationMiddle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
    Area(sq km)total: 11,586 sq km
    land: 11,586 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    Geographic coordinates25 30 N, 51 15 E
    Land boundaries(km)total: 60 km
    border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

    Coastline(km)563 km

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

    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
    highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
    Natural resourcespetroleum, natural gas, fish
    Land use(%)arable land: 1.64%
    permanent crops: 0.27%
    other: 98.09% (2005)

    Irrigated land(sq km)130 sq km (2002)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)0.1 cu km (1997)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)
    per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardshaze, dust storms, sandstorms common
    Environment - current issueslimited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
    Environment - international agreementsparty 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
    Geography - notestrategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
    Population833,285 (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040)
    15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004)
    65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 30.8 years
    male: 32.8 years
    female: 25.4 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)0.957% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)15.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)2.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)-3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 96% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 2.46 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 1.38 male(s)/female
    total population: 2 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 75.35 years
    male: 73.66 years
    female: 77.14 years (2009 est.)

    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: 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

    Country nameconventional 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 typeemirate
    Capitalname: Doha
    geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
    time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal
    Constitutionratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

    Legal systembased on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

    Suffrage18 years of age; universal
    Executive branchchief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); 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 Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)
    cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir
    elections: the amir is hereditary
    note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999

    Legislative branchunicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
    note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura

    Judicial branchCourts 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 pressure groups and leadersnone
    International organization participationABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptionmaroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

    Economy - overviewQatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth consecutive budget surplus. 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 second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and one of the world's fastest growing. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 and the global financial crisis will reduce Qatar's budget surplus and may slow the pace of investment and development projects in 2009.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$91.55 billion (2008 est.)
    $80.73 billion (2007 est.)
    $68.82 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$102.3 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)13.4% (2008 est.)
    17.3% (2007 est.)
    12.2% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$111,000 (2008 est.)
    $99,100 (2007 est.)
    $85,800 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 0.1%
    industry: 74.9%
    services: 25.1% (2008 est.)
    Labor force1.119 million (2008 est.)

    Unemployment rate(%)0.4% (2008 est.)
    0.7% (2007 est.)
    Population below poverty line(%)NA%
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)32.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $36.59 billion
    expenditures: $27.14 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)15.2% (2008 est.)
    13.7% (2007 est.)

    Stock of money$13.98 billion (31 December 2008)
    $9.718 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$36.58 billion (31 December 2008)
    $22.6 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$59.43 billion (31 December 2008)
    $30.52 billion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$76.31 billion (31 December 2008)
    $95.49 billion (31 December 2007)
    $61.56 billion (31 December 2006)
    Economic aid - recipient$2.18 million (2004)

    Public debt(% of GDP)5.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
    11% of GDP (2007 est.)
    Agriculture - productsfruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
    Industriescrude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

    Industrial production growth rate(%)13% (2008 est.)

    Current account balance$15.07 billion (2008 est.)
    $10.45 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$55.73 billion (2008 est.)
    $42.02 billion (2007 est.)

    Exports - commodities(%)liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
    Exports - partners(%)Japan 38.5%, South Korea 20.9%, Singapore 11.1%, India 4.5%, Thailand 4.4% (2008)
    Imports$25.11 billion (2008 est.)
    $19.82 billion (2007 est.)

    Imports - commodities(%)machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
    Imports - partners(%)US 12.1%, Germany 9%, Italy 8.9%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7.5%, France 6.2%, UAE 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, China 4.2% (2008)

    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$9.998 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$3.627 billion (2008 est.)
    $2.601 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$5.363 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $6.993 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesQatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004)

    Currency (code)Qatari rial (QAR)

    Telephones - main lines in use263,400 (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular1.683 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: modern system centered in Doha
    domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 200 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 (2008)
    Internet country code.qa
    Internet users436,000 (2008)
    Airports5 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 978 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 7,790 km (2006)

    Ports and terminalsDoha, Ra's Laffan
    Military branchesQatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 320,383
    females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 318,388
    females age 16-49: 136,841 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 6,337
    female: 5,059 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)10% of GDP (2005 est.)
    Disputes - internationalnone

    Trafficking in personscurrent situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse
    tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar failed, for the second consecutive year, to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government made little progress to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized (2008)
    Electricity - production(kWh)15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 100%
    hydro: 0%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)1.208 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)129,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)1.043 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)56.78 billion cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)25.26 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.09% (2001 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDSNA
    HIV/AIDS - deathsNA
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 89%
    male: 89.1%
    female: 88.6% (2004 census)

    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years)total: 13 years
    male: 13 years
    female: 14 years (2006)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)3.3% of GDP (2005)








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