Country Profile: Qatar

Qatar, a small but wealthy nation located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has undergone a significant transformation in the last 60 years, evolving from a British protectorate known for its pearling industry into a thriving independent state with substantial hydrocarbon revenues. Governed by the Al Thani family, Qatar boasts the highest per capita income globally, driven by its vast petroleum and natural gas reserves. With a largely expatriate population, the country maintains an absolute monarchy under Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and plays a vital role in regional politics, exemplified by its hosting of the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2022.

Geography

Qatar is situated in the Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. The country covers an area of 11,586 square kilometers and features a predominantly flat and barren desert terrain with a coastline of 563 kilometers. The climate is characterized by arid conditions, with mild winters and extremely hot, humid summers.

87 km: Length of land border with Saudi Arabia.
563 km: Total coastline length.
12 nm: Territorial sea limit.
0.1%: Forested area as of 2023.
130 sq km: Area of irrigated land (2022).

People and Society

Qatar has an estimated population of 2,568,426 as of 2025, with a significant majority being non-Qatari expatriates. The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken. The religious demographic is predominantly Muslim, with a sizeable population of Christians, Hindus, and others. Urbanization is nearly total, with 99.4% of the population living in urban areas.

34.4 years: Median age of the population (2025 estimate).
13.1%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
80.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
0.57%: Population growth rate (2025 estimate).
9.19 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 estimate).

Economy

Qatar has a high-income economy predominantly based on oil and gas. The country has implemented a "National Vision 2030" aimed at economic diversification and investment promotion. In addition to its oil exports, Qatar is a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Despite global economic fluctuations, the Qatari economy remains resilient.

$317.064 billion: Projected real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
0.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
58.5%: Contribution of industry to GDP (2024 estimate).
$110,900: Estimated GDP per capita (PPP, 2024).
68.6%: Share of exports in GDP (2022 estimate).

Government

Qatar is an absolute monarchy with the Amir as the head of state. The government operates under a mixed legal system combining civil law and Islamic law. The legislative body, the Shura Council, consists of 49 appointed members, and political parties are banned. The current Amir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has been in power since 2013.

Amir: Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Capital: Doha.
Constitution: Effective since June 9, 2005.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Next legislative elections: Scheduled for September 2029.

Military and Security

The Qatari military consists of land, naval, and air forces, with a personnel strength of approximately 15,000 active-duty members as of 2025. The country has a strong military partnership with the United States and hosts numerous US military facilities, enhancing its security posture in the region.

5%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2023 estimate).
18-35 years: Typical age range for compulsory military service for men.
2,000: Estimated annual military conscripts.
Qatar Armed Forces: Includes the Qatari Amiri Land Force, Navy, and Air Force.
Major Non-NATO Ally: Status designated by the US.

Energy

Qatar is one of the world's leading producers of natural gas, with proven reserves and significant production capacity. The energy sector, primarily based on fossil fuels, accounts for the majority of the country’s GDP. All citizens have access to electricity, and energy consumption per capita is notably high.

99.7%: Share of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023 estimate).
171.805 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023 estimate).
1.818 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 estimate).
100%: Electrification rate of the population (2022 estimate).
51.965 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 estimate).

Environment

Qatar faces several environmental challenges including air and water pollution and limited freshwater resources. The nation is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

100%: Population with access to improved drinking water (2022 estimate).
6%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 estimate).
127.783 million metric tonnes: Carbon dioxide emissions (2023 estimate).
1.001 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 estimate).
58 million cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 estimate).

Transportation

Qatar has developed an extensive transportation network, including eight airports and a significant merchant marine fleet. The nation is equipped to facilitate both domestic and international travel, supporting its economic and tourism sectors.

8: Total number of airports (2025).
123: Vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023).
12: Number of heliports (2025).
6: Total number of ports (2024).
5: Ports equipped with oil terminals.

Communications

With a fully connected populace, Qatar has achieved 100% internet access and extensive mobile telecommunication coverage. The presence of state-controlled media, including the influential Al-Jazeera network, plays a crucial role in information dissemination.

100%: Internet user penetration rate (2023 estimate).
4.68 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 estimate).
526,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2023 estimate).
347,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 estimate).
18: Fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023 estimate).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,568,426	Estimated for 2025
Area	11,586 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$317.064 billion	Projected for 2024
Energy consumption per capita	814.308 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth rate	9.19 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment rate	0.2%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy at birth	80.3 years	Estimated for 2024
Total electricity consumption	51.965 billion kWh	2023 estimate
Military expenditures	5% of GDP	Estimated for 2023
Urban population	99.4%	Estimated for 2023