Qatar

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<p>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.</p> 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. <p> </p>

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Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

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25 30 N, 51 15 E

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Middle East

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almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut

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563 km

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

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mostly flat and barren desert

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petroleum, fish, natural gas

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130 sq km (2022)

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Arabian Aquifer System

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most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

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haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

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the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

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

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Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion &lt;0.1%, Jewish &lt;0.1%, other &lt;1%, unaffiliated &lt;1% (2020 est.)

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0.57% (2025 est.)

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9.19 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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1.42 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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-2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula

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798,000 Ar-Rayyan, 658,000 DOHA (capital) (2023)

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4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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1.9 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.94 (2025 est.)

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3.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

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1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

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35.1% (2016)

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2.3% (2023 est.)

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64.6% (2020 est.)

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air, land, and water pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited conservation of oil and wildlife&nbsp;

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

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59 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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58 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> closest approximation of the native pronunciation is GAT-tar or COT-tar

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absolute monarchy

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8 municipalities (<em>baladiyat</em>, singular - <em>baladiyah</em>); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal

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mixed system of civil law and Islamic (sharia) law (in family and personal matters)

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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18 years of age; universal

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political parties are banned

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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

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3 September 1971 (from the UK)

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National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

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<strong>description:</strong> maroon with a broad, serrated white band on the left side<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> 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

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a white serrated band with nine white points on top of a maroon field

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maroon, white

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<p>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</p>

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$217.983 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<strong>note:</strong> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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dates, chicken, tomatoes, camel milk, vegetables, cucumbers/gherkins, pumpkins/squash, eggs, sheep milk, eggplants (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

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1.6% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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2.123 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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<strong>note:</strong> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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<strong>note:</strong> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 18%, India 11%, S. Korea 10%, Japan 7%, Pakistan 6% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, fertilizers (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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USA 12%, China 12%, UAE 9%, UK 7%, India 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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gas turbines, cars, aircraft, iron pipes, ships (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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state-controlled TV and radio licensing and access to local media markets; home of satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally&nbsp; state-owned but is now independent; local radio includes state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies; satellite TV available (2019)

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.qa

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A7

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8 (2025)

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12 (2025)

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Qatar Armed Forces (QAF): Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)<br><br>Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Public Security, General Directorate of Coasts and Border Security, Internal Security Force (ISF or Lekhwiya) (2025)

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approximately 15,000 active-duty Qatar Armed Forces (2025)

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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)

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<strong>note: </strong>in the 2010s, Qatar embarked on a military expansion and modernization program with large air, ground, and naval equipment purchases

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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)

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<strong>note:</strong> the military incorporates about 2,000 conscripts annually and recruits foreign contract soldiers to overcome manpower limitations

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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)