Country Profile: Qatar

Qatar, located on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf, has evolved over the past few decades from a British protectorate into a prosperous independent nation known for its vast hydrocarbon wealth. Governed by an absolute monarchy, the country has a diverse population, with a significant portion being expatriates. The economy is heavily reliant on oil and natural gas, but the government has initiated strategies aimed at economic diversification and sustainable development.

Geography

Qatar is situated in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Its total area is 11,586 square kilometers, characterized by mostly flat and barren desert terrain. The capital, Doha, is located on the eastern coastline, where most of the population resides.

87 km: Land border with Saudi Arabia.
563 km: Coastline along the Persian Gulf.
12 nm: Territorial sea claims.

People and Society

Qatar's estimated population is 2,552,088 as of 2024, with a high urbanization rate of 99.4%. The majority of residents are non-Qataris, comprising 88.4% of the population. Arabic is the official language, with English widely spoken.

65.2%: Muslims, the dominant religion.
34.4%: Combined representation of Christians, Hindus, and others.
80.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).

Economy

Qatar boasts a high-income economy predominantly driven by oil and gas revenues. The government's National Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economic landscape and enhance investment opportunities. The GDP for 2024 is projected at $317.064 billion with real GDP per capita set at $110,900.

58.5%: Contribution from industry to the GDP.
0.2%: Unemployment rate (2024).
127.783 million metric tons: Carbon dioxide emissions (2023).

Government

The State of Qatar is an absolute monarchy, with Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani serving as the head of state since 2013. The governance structure includes a mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law. Political parties are banned, and the Shura Council serves as the legislative body.

Amir: TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani.
Capital: Doha.
National holiday: Independence Day on 3 September.

Military and Security

The Qatari Armed Forces include land, naval, and air components, with a total of approximately 15,000 active-duty personnel as of 2025. The military budget is about 5% of the GDP, reflecting Qatar's commitment to national defense and regional stability.

Conscription: Mandatory service for men aged 18-35.
US military presence: Significant, including Al Udeid Air Base.
Large arms importer: Engaging in modernization and expansion of military capabilities.

Energy

Qatar is one of the world's leading producers of liquefied natural gas, significantly contributing to its income. As of 2023, the country has a total petroleum production of 1.818 million bbl/day and natural gas production of 171.805 billion cubic meters.

99.7%: Electricity generation from fossil fuels.
100%: Electrification rate for the population (2022).
23.861 trillion cubic meters: Proven natural gas reserves (2021).

Environment

Environmental challenges in Qatar include pollution and limited freshwater resources. The nation is part of several international environmental agreements aimed at promoting sustainable practices.

6%: Rate of municipal solid waste recycling (2022).
1.001 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024).
58 million cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).

Transportation

Qatar has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including several airports and a merchant marine fleet. The country has been expanding its aviation capabilities in line with its vision for international connectivity.

8: Airports planned for 2025.
123: Vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
347,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Communications

Communications in Qatar are highly developed, with full internet penetration and a variety of media outlets, including the state-funded Al-Jazeera network.

100%: Internet user penetration (2023).
4.7 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
526,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,552,088 (2024 est.)
Area	11,586 sq km
GDP	$317.064 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	0.2% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	80.3 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Electricity Access	100% of population (2022 est.)
Birth Rate	9.2 births/1,000 population	(2024 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources	58 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	127.783 million metric tons (2023 est.)