Factbook dossier
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 L…
Location
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Area
total : 11,586 sq km land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas
Natural hazards
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Population
total: 2,568,426 (2025 est.) male: 1,970,605 female: 597,821
Ethnic groups
non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)
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.)
Environmental issues
air, land, and water pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited conservation of oil and wildlife
Government type
absolute monarchy
Capital
name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) 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
Executive branch
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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the amir
Legislative branch
legislature name: Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 49 (all appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/9/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 6.1% expected date of next election: September 2029
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$317.064 billion (2024 est.) $308.522 billion (2023 est.) $304.903 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$110,900 (2024 est.) $116,200 (2023 est.) $114,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.3% (2024 est.) 3% (2023 est.) 5% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
China 18%, India 11%, S. Korea 10%, Japan 7%, Pakistan 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
USA 12%, China 12%, UAE 9%, UK 7%, India 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
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 expenditures
5% of GDP (2023 est.) 5% of GDP (2022 est.) 4% of GDP (2021 est.) 4% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)