Qatar

Absolute MonarchyPop2.6MGDP (PPP)$317.1BCI38Beta CP0.0→Beta

Qatar

⌘K

Overview

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 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

Area

Land: 11,586 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Total: 11,586 sq km

Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert

Land Use

Other: 93.4% (2023 est.)
Forest: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 6.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 1.8% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 4.4% (2023 est.)

Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Coastline: 563 km

Elevation

Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
Mean elevation: 28 m

Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2022)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Map references: Middle East

Land Boundaries

Total: 87 km
Border countries: Saudi Arabia 87 km

Maritime Claims

Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Geography note: the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas
Area comparative: almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

People & Society

Languages

Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Major language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions: Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0 14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15 64 years: 4.29 male(s)/female
Total population: 3.32 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over: 1.91 male(s)/female

Birth rate: 9.19 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 1.42 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median Age

Male: 35.7 years
Total: 34.4 years (2025 est.)
Female: 28.1 years

Population

Male: 1,970,605
Total: 2,568,426 (2025 est.)
Female: 597,821

Nationality

Noun: Qatari(s)
Adjective: Qatari

Tobacco Use

Male: 24.6% (2025 est.)
Total: 19.2% (2025 est.)
Female: 2.3% (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 99.4% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Age Structure

0 14 years: 13.1% (male 168,844/female 165,905)
15 64 years: 85.4% (male 1,767,294/female 411,977)
65 years and over: 1.5% (2024 est.) (male 24,997/female 13,071)

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

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 17.3 (2025 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 15.4 (2025 est.)
Potential support ratio: 54.4 (2025 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 1.8 (2025 est.)

Physician density: 3.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Health Expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 2.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 7.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved: total: total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education Expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 9.3% national budget (2020 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Female: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: 0.57% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.94 (2025 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

Life Expectancy at Birth

Male: 78.2 years
Female: 82.4 years
Total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved: total: total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

Beer: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 0.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Major urban areas population: 798,000 Ar-Rayyan, 658,000 DOHA (capital) (2023)
Obesity adult prevalence rate: 35.1% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15 49): 64.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.3% (2023 est.)

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

Male: 12 years (2022 est.)
Total: 13 years (2022 est.)
Female: 15 years (2022 est.)

Government

Civica · structure

How power is organised

ExecutiveLegislative

Flag: description: maroon with a broad, serrated white band on the left side

meaning: maroon stands for the blood shed in Qatari wars, and white for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge is a reference to Qatar's status as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" after the Qatari-British treaty of 1916 -- the other eight members are Bahrain and the seven that make up the UAE

Capital

Name: Doha
Etymology: the name is derived from the Arabic ad-dawha, meaning "the big tree," and probably referred to a large tree at the site of the original fishing village
Time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

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

History: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005
Amendment process: proposed by the Amir 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

Country Name

Note: note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is GAT-tar or COT-tar
Etymology: the name may derive from the Arabic word katran, meaning "tar" or "resin" in reference to the area's oil and natural gas reserves
Local long form: Dawlat Qatar
Local short form: Qatar
Conventional long form: State of Qatar
Conventional short form: Qatar

Independence: 3 September 1971 (from the UK)
Legal system: mixed system of civil law and Islamic (sharia) law (in family and personal matters)
Government type: absolute monarchy

Judicial Branch

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)
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
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

Executive Branch

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir
Chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)
Head of government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023)
Election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the amir

National holiday: National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
National color(s): maroon, white

National Heritage

Total world heritage sites: 1 (cultural)
Selected world heritage site locales: Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

Political parties: political parties are banned

Legislative Branch

Term in office: 4 years
Number of seats: 49 (all appointed)
Electoral system: plurality/majority
Legislature name: Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura)
Scope of elections: full renewal
Legislative structure: unicameral
Most recent election date: 10/9/2025
Expected date of next election: September 2029
Percentage of women in chamber: 6.1%

National Anthem(s)

Title: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (Peace be to the Emir)
History: adopted 1996 
Lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN

National symbol(s): a white serrated band with nine white points on top of a maroon field
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

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Fax: [1] (202) 237-0682
Chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600
Chief of mission: Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad AL THANI (since 24 April 2017)
Consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Email address and website: info.dc@mofa.gov.qa

https://washington.embassy.qa/en/home

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Fax: [974] 4488-4298
Embassy: 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, P.O. Box 2399, Doha
Telephone: [974] 4496-6000
Mailing address: 6130 Doha Place, Washington DC  20521-6130
Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Stefanie ALTMAN-WINANS (since June 2025)
Email address and website: PasDoha@state.gov

https://qa.usembassy.gov/

International organisations: 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, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Legislature

QATAR · LEGISLATURE

Shura Council

49 seats · hover a seat for the party

Total seats

Majority line

Largest party

—

Parties

—

Leaders

Current

TA
Tamim bin Hamad Al
- Head of StateSince 2013
MT
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
- Head of GovernmentSince 2023

Economy

Budget

Revenues: $65.922 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $57.258 billion (2019 est.)

Exports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $161.7B

Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports 2022: $161.693 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $128.709 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024: $125.216 billion (2024 est.)

Imports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $74.5B

Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports 2022: $74.52 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $72.174 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024: $69.692 billion (2024 est.)

Industries: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Labor force: 2.123 million (2024 est.)

Public Debt

Civica canonical (reconciled): 46.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2016: 46.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Remittances

Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2022: 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024: 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)

Exchange Rates

Currency: Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 3.64 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 3.64 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 3.64 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 3.64 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 3.64 (2024 est.)

Economic overview: 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

Unemployment Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 0.1%

Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 0.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 0.2% (2024 est.)

Exports partners: China 18%, India 11%, S. Korea 10%, Japan 7%, Pakistan 6% (2023)
Imports partners: USA 12%, China 12%, UAE 9%, UK 7%, India 5% (2023)

Real GDP Per Capita

Civica canonical (reconciled): $126,046

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022: $114,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $116,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024: $110,900 (2024 est.)

Real GDP Growth Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 2.4%

Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 2.8% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products: dates, chicken, tomatoes, camel milk, vegetables, cucumbers/gherkins, pumpkins/squash, eggs, sheep milk, eggplants (2023)
Exports commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, fertilizers (2023)
Imports commodities: gas turbines, cars, aircraft, iron pipes, ships (2023)

Current Account Balance

Civica canonical (reconciled): $37.9B

Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Current account balance 2022: $63.118 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $36.453 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024: $38.117 billion (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate): $217.983 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Household consumption: 19.5% (2022 est.)
Government consumption: 12.9% (2022 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2022 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 30.6% (2022 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2022 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -31.6% (2022 est.)

Average Household Expenditures

On food: 14.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 0.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Civica canonical (reconciled): 1.3%

Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.3% (2024 est.)

Industrial production growth rate: 1.6% (2024 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Civica canonical (reconciled): $317.064 billion (2024 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $304.903 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $308.522 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $317.064 billion (2024 est.)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Male: 0.1% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 0.4% (2024 est.)
Female: 1.2% (2024 est.)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $47.389 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $51.539 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $53.987 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Industry: 58.5% (2024 est.)
Services: 45.9% (2024 est.)
Agriculture: 0.3% (2024 est.)

Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Lowest 10%: 2.6% (2017 est.)
Highest 10%: 25.8% (2017 est.)

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Gini index coefficient distribution of family income 2017: 35.1 (2017 est.)

Energy

Coal

Exports: 300 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Total petroleum production: 1.818 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 268,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Electricity

Consumption: 51.965 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 11.4 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 3.177 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Natural Gas

Exports: 124.747 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Production: 171.805 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 48.034 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 23.861 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 814.308 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Electricity Generation Sources

Fossil fuels: 99.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Communications

Internet Users

Percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)

Broadcast media: 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: .qa

Telephones Fixed Lines

Total subscriptions: 526,000 (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2023 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Total subscriptions: 4.68 million (2024 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 154 (2024 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Total: 347,000 (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)

Transport

Ports

Large: 0
Small: 2
Medium: 1
Key ports: Al Rayyan Terminal, Al Shaheen Terminal, Doha, Jazirat Halul, Ras Laffan, Umm Said
Very small: 3
Total ports: 6 (2024)
Ports with oil terminals: 5

Airports: 8 (2025)
Heliports: 12 (2025)

Merchant Marine

Total: 123 (2023)
BY type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 2, other 108

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A7

Environment

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

Land Use

Other: 93.4% (2023 est.)
Forest: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 6.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 1.8% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 4.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 99.4% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Methane Emissions

Other: 5.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste: 64.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Energy: 1,040.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Agriculture: 9.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and Recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.001 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues: air, land, and water pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited conservation of oil and wildlife

Total Water Withdrawal

Municipal: 582.862 million cubic meters (2022)
Industrial: 40.18 million cubic meters (2022)
Agricultural: 311.156 million cubic meters (2022)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Total emissions: 127.783 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 99.991 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 27.781 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions: 59 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 58 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

International Environmental Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Military & Security

Military note: Qatar's military is responsible for territorial defense and maritime security; the military is in the midst of a large equipment acquisition program designed to enhance its capabilities and Qatar's regional standing; Qatar has military ties with a variety of countries, including France, the UK, the US, Turkey, and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); it hosts the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) and several thousand US military forces at various military facilities, including the Al Udeid Air Base; Qatar has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; Qatar also hosts Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019; the Qatari military is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region (2025)

Military Expenditures

Civica canonical (reconciled): 5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military expenditures 2019: 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military expenditures 2020: 4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military expenditures 2021: 4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures 2022: 5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures 2023: 5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military and security forces: Qatar Armed Forces (QAF): Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)

Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Public Security, General Directorate of Coasts and Border Security, Internal Security Force (ISF or Lekhwiya) (2025)
Military service age and obligation: typically 18-30 for voluntary service for men and women; compulsory military service for men 18-35; compulsory service is from 4-12 months, depending on educational and professional circumstances (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Qatari military's inventory is a mix of older and modern weapons systems, mostly from Türkiye, the US, and various European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 15,000 active-duty Qatar Armed Forces (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

Refugees: 349 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 1,200 (2024 est.)

Scores & Rankings

ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of

Civica Index38.0 / 100as of 2024-Q4118 / 1902024-Q4

V-Dem Liberal Democracy0.08as of 2024-Q4143 / 1702024-Q4

Freedom House StatusNot Free (25/100)as of 2024-Q4—2024-Q4

Press Freedom (RSF)Partly free (50/100)as of 2024—2024

Cite this page

Cite this pageAPA · BibTeX · Chicago · JSON

Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Qatar — vintage 2026-Q1: Qatar factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/qatar

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Sources: FAO FAOSTAT, ILO ILOSTAT, IMF (WEO), UN Statistics Division, UNDP HDR, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, V-Dem, WHO Global Health Observatory, World Bank, WTO Stats, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata

Qatar

Area

Land Use

Elevation

Land Boundaries

Maritime Claims

Languages

Sex Ratio

Median Age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco Use

Urbanization

Age Structure

Dependency Ratios

Health Expenditure

Drinking Water Source

Education Expenditure

Infant Mortality Rate

Life Expectancy at Birth

Sanitation Facility Access

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

How power is organised

Capital

Citizenship

Constitution

Country Name

Judicial Branch

Executive Branch

National Heritage

Legislative Branch

National Anthem(s)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Shura Council

Current

Tamim bin Hamad Al

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Budget

Exports

Imports

Public Debt

Remittances

Exchange Rates

Unemployment Rate

Real GDP Per Capita

Real GDP Growth Rate

Current Account Balance

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Average Household Expenditures

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Household Income or Consumption BY Percentage Share

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Natural Gas

Electricity Access

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Electricity Generation Sources

Internet Users

Telephones Fixed Lines

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Ports

Merchant Marine

Land Use

Urbanization

Methane Emissions

Waste and Recycling

Total Water Withdrawal

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

International Environmental Agreements

Military Expenditures

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons