Contents
Country Overview
The State of Qatar occupies a peninsula on the Arabian Gulf coast and is a hereditary monarchy governed by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Its economy depends on large natural-gas and petroleum resources, global liquefied-natural-gas trade, public investment, aviation and expanding services. Residents include a very large expatriate workforce. The country has used gas-export revenue to invest in infrastructure, education and international diplomacy. This profile differentiates the World Bank’s 2025 population series from Qatar’s monthly population-present series and reflects the 2024 constitutional change that returned the Shura Council to appointment.
CapitalDohaGovernment and principal urban center [6]
Nominal GDPUS$215.56 billionWorld Bank 2025 [2]
EmirTamim bin Hamad Al ThaniSince June 25, 2013 [6]
Prime ministerMohammed bin Abdulrahman Al ThaniAppointed March 7, 2023 [7]
World Heritage1 propertyAl Zubarah Archaeological Site [15]
Data and status note: The World Bank’s 2025 population figure is 2,972,215, while Qatar National Planning Council’s population present in the country was 3,370,611 in March 2026; the latter varies month by month and is not a census total. The World Bank reports 2025 nominal GDP of US$215.56 billion and 2.9% real growth. Qatar’s Shura Council was converted from a partly elected body to an appointed one by the 2024 constitutional change; the 2025 decree named 49 members. The 2026 IMF forecast incorporates exceptionally volatile regional conditions and should not be confused with realized 2025 output.
Identity & State Formation
- Official name
- State of Qatar (Dawlat Qatar). [6]
- Short name
- Qatar. [6]
- Capital
- Doha, on the eastern coast of the peninsula. [6]
- UN region
- Western Asia under M49. [1]
- Government type
- Hereditary constitutional monarchy with strong executive authority vested in the emir. [6] [8]
- Independence
- September 3, 1971, ending British treaty protection. [6]
- National Day
- December 18, marking the founding era associated with Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed. [6]
- Permanent constitution
- Adopted by referendum in 2003 and entered into force in 2005; amended in 2024. [8]
- 2024 constitutional change
- Amendments restructured the Shura Council as an appointed body. [8]
- Official language
- Arabic. [6]
- Other widely used language
- English is widely used in commerce and among expatriate communities. [6] [17]
- National currency
- Qatari riyal (QAR), subdivided into 100 dirhams. [10]
- Exchange-rate policy
- The Qatari riyal has a fixed peg of QAR 3.64 per US dollar. [10]
- Central bank
- Qatar Central Bank regulates banks and monetary affairs. [10]
- ISO code
- QA / QAT. [1]
- UN statistical code
- 634. [1]
- National flag
- Maroon field and white serrated band with nine points. [6]
- Peninsula identity
- Mainland peninsula extending into the Arabian Gulf. [6]
- Political leadership
- The Al Thani dynasty has ruled since the nineteenth century. [6]
- Modern development
- Hydrocarbon production reshaped revenues, infrastructure and population. [2] [6]
- 1970s state development
- Full independence and gas/oil revenues supported creation of modern institutions. [6]
- Constitutional era
- The twenty-first-century constitution established formal consultative institutions. [8]
- 2013 succession
- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became emir on June 25, 2013. [6]
- Diplomatic profile
- Qatar pursues an active foreign-policy and mediation role. [6] [9]
- Trade identity
- Global LNG exporter with major Asian markets. [4] [11]
- Transport identity
- Doha is an international airline and logistics hub. [20]
- Religion in constitutional system
- Islam is the state religion. [6]
- Civil court structure
- The legal system includes statutory courts and principles informed by Islamic law. [6]
- International organization
- Qatar joined the United Nations in 1971. [22]
- Global sport
- Hosted the FIFA men's World Cup in 2022. [19]
- Reference scope
- Statistics, government and heritage facts are current through November 6, 2026. [6] [2]
Geography & Population
- Continent
- Asia. [1]
- Region
- Arabian Peninsula; UN Western Asia. [1]
- Land area
- Approximately 11,500 km²; published area totals vary modestly. [13]
- Peninsula position
- Bordered on three sides by the Arabian Gulf. [6]
- Land border
- Saudi Arabia is Qatar’s only land-border neighbor. [6]
- Maritime neighbors
- Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Iran are nearby across Gulf waters. [6]
- Coastline character
- Low-lying desert shorelines, bays, tidal flats and offshore islands. [14]
- Capital location
- Doha concentrates national ministries and most metropolitan employment. [6] [3]
- Major municipalities
- Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Umm Salal, Al Daayen, Al Shahaniya and Al Shamal. [3]
- Highest point
- Qurayn Abu al Bawl is a low hill relative to nearby countries. [6]
- Terrain
- Mostly flat to gently undulating desert with limestone outcrops. [14]
- Climate classification
- Hot arid desert climate. [14]
- Summer weather
- Extreme heat and humidity create substantial occupational and health risks. [14] [17]
- Winter conditions
- Mild winters bring limited, irregular precipitation. [14]
- Rainfall
- Annual rainfall is low and variable. [14]
- Freshwater scarcity
- Very limited naturally renewable freshwater resources. [14]
- Desalination
- Seawater desalination is a major municipal water source. [23]
- Water security
- Storage, energy and desalination infrastructure are strategically important. [23]
- Coastal ecology
- Mangroves, seagrass beds and marine habitats occur in protected or managed zones. [15]
- Land reclamation
- Coastal development has altered sections of Doha shoreline and harbors. [19]
- Sandstorms
- Windborne dust episodes can reduce air quality and visibility. [14]
- 2025 World Bank population
- 2,972,215 residents. [2]
- Qatar March 2026 population present
- 3,370,611 people recorded inside the country in that month. [3]
- December 2025 population present
- 3,214,609 people in the monthly national indicator. [3]
- 2026 population methodology
- Monthly counts reflect residents physically inside Qatar and show seasonal variability. [3]
- Demographic composition
- Non-Qatari residents and foreign workers make up a large share of population. [17]
- International migration
- Labor demand drives large cross-border mobility. [17] [2]
- Urban population
- The majority of residents live in the Greater Doha metropolitan area. [3]
- Education clusters
- Education City and Doha's other campuses support a concentrated urban academic sector. [6]
- Environmental risks
- Extreme heat, water stress, coastal inundation and marine degradation are important. [14]
- Coastal protection
- Low elevations require adaptation and drainage planning. [14]
- World Heritage landscape
- Al Zubarah preserves a historic trading-town archaeological landscape. [15]
- Regional trade routes
- Gulf shipping lanes connect to the Strait of Hormuz and Indian Ocean. [4]
- Climate monitoring
- National and international agencies track long-run temperature and rainfall changes. [14]
- Statistical caution
- Monthly in-country resident totals are not interchangeable with annual World Bank demographic estimates. [3] [2]
Qatar demographic series and population in country
Annual modeled population and monthly physically present population measure different units and periods. [2] [3]
| Measure | Date | Population |
|---|---|---|
| World Bank annual estimate | 2025 | 2,972,215 |
| National monthly in-country count | December 2025 | 3,214,609 |
| National monthly in-country count | January 2026 | 3,374,660 |
| National monthly in-country count | February 2026 | 3,406,760 |
| National monthly in-country count | March 2026 | 3,370,611 |
Economy & International Trade
- Economic base
- Gas and petroleum extraction, energy exports, services and public investment. [2] [11]
- 2025 nominal GDP
- World Bank reported US$215.56 billion. [2]
- 2025 GDP per person
- World Bank current-dollar estimate US$72,524.9. [2]
- 2025 real GDP growth
- 2.9%, consistent with Qatar Central Bank review. [2] [11]
- 2025 non-hydrocarbon growth
- Qatar Central Bank reported 4.8%. [11]
- 2024 real GDP growth
- Qatar's statistical center lists 2.4% in its 2024 indicator. [3]
- LNG
- Liquefied natural gas is the country’s signature export and energy industry. [5] [11]
- Natural gas resource
- North Field is a major offshore natural-gas reservoir. [11] [23]
- North Field expansion
- State energy investment aims to expand LNG capacity. [11]
- Gas processing
- Condensates, LPG, petrochemical feedstocks and fertilizers are connected to the gas sector. [5]
- Crude petroleum
- Oil exports are smaller than natural gas in strategic emphasis but remain significant. [5]
- Energy trading
- China, India, Korea and Japan were leading destinations in 2025. [4]
- 2025 largest export destination
- China received approximately 19.26% of Qatar’s listed merchandise export value. [4]
- 2025 second export destination
- India received approximately 12.96%. [4]
- 2025 third export destination
- South Korea received approximately 9.13%. [4]
- 2025 import origin
- China was the largest listed supplier at about 17.27%. [4]
- 2025 second import origin
- The United States supplied about 14.97% of listed imports. [4]
- 2024 merchandise exports
- UNCTAD reported US$94.286 billion. [13]
- 2024 merchandise imports
- UNCTAD reported US$35.802 billion. [13]
- 2024 merchandise surplus
- US$58.483 billion under UNCTAD's 2024 compilation. [13]
- December 2025 exports
- QAR 26.9 billion in preliminary national foreign-trade release. [5]
- December 2025 imports
- QAR 12.8 billion in the same monthly release. [5]
- December 2025 goods surplus
- QAR 14.1 billion in preliminary series. [5]
- Non-hydrocarbon sectors
- Finance, retail, construction, transport, hospitality, technology and services. [11] [9]
- Financial center
- Doha hosts domestic banks and international financial institutions. [10]
- Investment policy
- Sovereign investment and state-led development finance infrastructure and external holdings. [6] [23]
- Aviation
- Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport support passenger and freight connectivity. [20]
- Logistics
- Maritime ports and aviation hubs anchor the supply chain. [4] [20]
- Tourism
- Sporting venues, museums and cultural tourism diversify visitor spending. [19]
- Education economy
- Universities and research centers support long-term human-capital strategy. [6]
- 2022 World Cup legacy
- Stadium and transport investment forms part of modern service infrastructure. [19]
- Labor market
- Migrant workers are central to construction, service and household employment. [17]
- Labor regulation
- Labor mobility, wage protections and working conditions remain policy and monitoring priorities. [17]
- Food security
- Imports, storage and strategic domestic agriculture address arid climate limits. [9] [14]
- Water-energy nexus
- Desalination and cooling have energy and infrastructure costs. [14]
- 2026 outlook risk
- IMF projections are unusually sensitive to regional instability and energy-market disruption. [12]
- Forecast caution
- Projected 2026 real GDP performance is not the observed 2025 growth rate. [12] [11]
- Trade-data caution
- UNCTAD calendar 2024 goods and Qatar monthly 2025 customs data are separate series. [13] [5]
Qatar 2025 economic indicators
The IMF 2026 projections are forward-looking and must not be shown as realized 2025 data. [2] [11] [3] [12]
| Indicator | Reported value | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | US$215.56 billion | World Bank 2025 |
| GDP per capita | US$72,524.9 | World Bank 2025 |
| Real GDP growth | 2.9% | World Bank / Qatar Central Bank |
| Non-hydrocarbon GDP growth | 4.8% | Qatar Central Bank 2025 |
| 2024 real GDP growth | 2.4% | NPC 2024 national indicator |
UNCTAD 2024 Qatar goods trade
Source is UNCTAD 2024 general profile; annual source series differ from Qatar NPC’s 2025 customs figures. [13]
| Measure | US$ billions | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods exports | 94.286 | Calendar 2024 |
| Goods imports | 35.802 | Calendar 2024 |
| Goods trade surplus | 58.483 | Calendar 2024 |
National trade office 2025 leading partners
Shares are within NPC national 2025 goods flows and do not represent shares of GDP. [4]
| Flow | Country | Share of national goods flow |
|---|---|---|
| Exports | China | 19.26% |
| Exports | India | 12.96% |
| Exports | South Korea | 9.13% |
| Exports | Japan | 7.88% |
| Imports | China | 17.27% |
| Imports | United States | 14.97% |
People & Society
- Official language
- Arabic. [6]
- English
- Common as a business and expatriate lingua franca. [6] [17]
- Population structure
- A large noncitizen workforce contributes to a predominantly urban labor force. [3] [17]
- Nationality composition
- Qataris are a minority of the total resident population. [17]
- Islam
- Islam is the official religion of the state. [6]
- Religious diversity
- Foreign residents include people of several faiths. [17]
- Cultural identity
- Gulf Arab and Bedouin heritage remains central to national traditions. [16]
- Cultural performance
- Music, poetry and oral traditions are prominent. [16]
- Falconry
- Falconry is recognized in regional UNESCO intangible heritage contexts. [16]
- Traditional gatherings
- Majlis-based hospitality is a social institution in Gulf societies. [16]
- Pearling history
- Before hydrocarbons, pearl fishing and maritime commerce were major livelihoods. [15]
- Historic seafaring
- Traditional dhow vessels represent maritime trading heritage. [15] [16]
- Cuisine
- Rice dishes, machboos, seafood, dates and coffee are familiar culinary traditions. [16]
- Cultural institutions
- National Museum of Qatar, museums and cultural centers support public heritage. [19]
- Libraries
- Qatar National Library and public institutions provide research and cultural resources. [6]
- Education
- Public and private schools serve citizens and expatriate communities. [6]
- Higher education
- Qatar University and Education City campuses are major educational institutions. [6]
- Language of instruction
- Arabic and English are used in differing educational institutions. [6]
- Health system
- Public and private healthcare operate alongside migrant-worker services. [18]
- Life expectancy
- World Bank reports approximately 83 years in its 2024 data. [2]
- Public health challenge
- Heat-related illness and chronic-disease care are significant considerations. [14] [18]
- Occupational heat
- Outdoor labor protections and monitoring matter in hot weather. [17]
- Migrant-worker reform
- Labor law changes and employer practices remain internationally monitored. [17]
- Domestic workers
- Household employment is a distinct part of migrant labor policy. [17]
- Sports
- Football is prominent, alongside athletics, motorsport and other competitions. [19]
- World Cup
- Qatar hosted the 2022 men's FIFA tournament. [19]
- Asian Cup
- Qatar hosted and won the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, played in early 2024. [19]
- Urban leisure
- Doha's corniche, souqs, public parks and museums are major attractions. [19]
- Traditional trade town
- Al Zubarah documents Gulf commercial and pearling networks. [15]
- Public transport
- Doha Metro and associated systems serve the metropolitan region. [19]
- Women’s education
- Women participate in universities, professional services and government. [6]
- Civil society
- Civic participation and political association are regulated within the monarchy. [6] [8]
- Digital services
- E-government and service modernization are stated 2026 public priorities. [9]
- Water access
- Desalination infrastructure provides municipal drinking water. [14]
- Food supply
- Substantial food imports are balanced by domestic agriculture and storage efforts. [9]
- Cultural heritage distinction
- UNESCO World Heritage and intangible cultural heritage use separate registries. [15] [16]
Government & Institutions
- State system
- Hereditary monarchy; emir holds central constitutional executive powers. [6]
- Head of state
- Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. [6]
- Accession
- Tamim became emir on June 25, 2013. [6]
- Prime minister
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. [7]
- Prime-minister appointment
- March 7, 2023. [7]
- Foreign minister
- Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also holds the foreign affairs portfolio. [7]
- Council of Ministers
- Cabinet is appointed and operates under the emir and prime minister. [6] [7]
- Permanent constitution
- Entered into force in 2005, with significant amendments in 2024. [8]
- Shura Council
- Consultative/legislative council with constitutional budget and oversight roles. [8]
- 2021 council election
- 30 members were elected and 15 appointed for a 45-member council. [8]
- 2024 reform
- Constitutional amendment ended election of Shura members and prescribed appointments. [8]
- 2025 council appointment
- Amiri Decree No. 42 of 2025 appointed 49 members. [8]
- 2026 council structure
- The appointed 49-member council replaced the earlier 30/15 formula. [8]
- 2025 legislative term
- The second legislative term began in October 2025. [8]
- 2026 annual session
- Emir opened the Shura Council’s 55th annual session on October 13, 2026. [9]
- Council term
- Four calendar years under the council’s institutional rules. [8]
- Legislation
- The Shura Council debates and approves legislation within the constitutional system. [8]
- Budget role
- Shura Council exercises budgetary review and approval functions. [8]
- Executive authority
- The emir appoints the government and determines major national policy. [6]
- Judicial bodies
- Courts adjudicate cases under domestic law. [6]
- Constitutional amendment process
- Referendum and legal procedures shaped the 2024 institutional change. [8]
- Local administration
- Municipal and central agencies administer public services and urban planning. [6]
- Public finance
- National budgets emphasize energy revenue, capital projects and public-service spending. [9]
- Monetary policy
- Qatar Central Bank regulates monetary and financial systems. [10]
- State investment
- Public investment includes domestic infrastructure and overseas holdings. [9]
- Diplomatic apparatus
- Foreign affairs and mediation are major policy priorities. [7] [9]
- Defense
- Armed forces protect national security and cooperate with international partners. [9]
- Citizenship
- Citizenship rules are legally distinct from residence and employment visas. [6] [17]
- Labor rights
- Reforms address wage systems, mobility and employment protections. [17]
- Political parties
- Competitive national party-based electoral government is not the political model. [6] [8]
- Women in public life
- Women serve in government, education, business and other public roles. [6]
- Transparency considerations
- Independent political oversight differs from multiparty parliamentary democracies. [8]
- 2026 policy agenda
- The emir emphasized security, economic diversification and diplomacy in October. [9]
- Institutional reference cutoff
- 2024 amendment and 2025 appointed-council structure supersede descriptions of continuing elected membership. [8]
- Government date
- Officeholders verified to November 6, 2026. [6] [7]
Qatar constitutional institutional reference, 2026
Constitutional reform ended the former partly elected council; 2026 descriptions must use appointed body. [6] [7] [8] [9]
| Institution | Current status | Date / distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Emir | Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani | Since June 2013 |
| Prime minister | Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani | Since March 2023 |
| Shura Council | 49 appointed members | 2025 appointment decree |
| Shura Council old format | 30 elected, 15 appointed | 2021 model, superseded 2024 |
| Shura Council annual session | 55th | Opened October 13, 2026 |
International Profile
- UN member
- Qatar joined the United Nations on September 21, 1971. [22]
- Gulf regional identity
- Located on the Arabian Gulf and part of the Arabian Peninsula. [1] [6]
- Gulf Cooperation Council
- Founding member of the GCC. [6]
- Arab League
- Participates in the League of Arab States. [6]
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- Qatar participates in the OIC. [6]
- International gas
- Qatar is an important global LNG supplier and energy-security actor. [21] [11]
- Asian export connections
- China, India, South Korea and Japan were major markets in 2025. [4]
- United States relations
- Close security, economic and diplomatic ties include military cooperation. [6] [9]
- Iran relationship
- Shares the giant offshore gas reservoir system and engages in Gulf diplomacy. [21] [6]
- Saudi Arabia relationship
- Only land-border neighbor and major Gulf economic partner. [6]
- Mediation role
- Qatar has facilitated regional negotiations and hostage/ceasefire diplomacy. [7] [9]
- 2026 geopolitical conditions
- Regional tensions and energy disruptions shaped policy statements in October 2026. [9]
- Foreign investment
- Sovereignand private capital flows connect Qatar with global finance. [23]
- Aviation diplomacy
- Qatar Airways connects Doha to global destinations. [20]
- World Cup legacy
- The 2022 event strengthened international recognition and infrastructure. [19]
- Climate commitments
- Heat, water, emissions and energy transition are strategic regional issues. [14]
- Maritime shipping
- Hormuz and Gulf trade routes affect LNG export continuity. [9] [4]
- Humanitarian assistance
- Qatar contributes to international relief and development programs. [6]
- UNESCO convention
- Qatar accepted the World Heritage Convention in 1984. [15]
- Inscribed World Heritage count
- One UNESCO World Heritage property. [15]
- Al Zubarah Archaeological Site
- Inscribed in 2013; historic coastal trading settlement. [15]
- Al Zubarah category
- Cultural property, not a natural/mixed World Heritage listing. [15]
- Tentative list count
- Two candidate UNESCO properties as of 2026. [15]
- Khor Al-Adaid
- Listed as a tentative natural heritage candidate, not inscribed. [15]
- National Museum of Qatar
- Placed on UNESCO tentative list in 2025; not an inscribed property. [15]
- Intangible heritage
- Living practices including regional falconry or majlis are classified separately. [16]
- Labor cooperation
- International organizations engage on migrant-worker protections and inspection. [17]
- International health
- WHO profiles monitor life expectancy and health-related indicators. [18]
- Energy diplomacy
- Qatar participates in producer discussions and long-term LNG supply agreements. [21]
- Trade methodology
- Merchandise totals should not be conflated with broader energy revenue, services or sovereign investments. [13] [4]
- Population methodology
- National monthly resident-presence counts differ from WB modeled annual resident series. [3] [2]
- International reference cutoff
- Heritage count, key leadership and 2025/2026 economic data reflect the November 6, 2026 cutoff. [6] [15] [2]
UNESCO Qatar World Heritage and tentative properties
Only Al Zubarah counts among UNESCO World Heritage inscriptions; the others remain on the tentative list. [15]
| Site | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Al Zubarah Archaeological Site | Inscribed cultural | 2013 |
| Khor Al-Adaid natural reserve | Tentative only | 2008 |
| National Museum of Qatar | Tentative only | 2025 |
Sources and Methodology
Qatar’s World Bank annual 2025 population estimate of 2,972,215 differs from Qatar National Planning Council’s monthly count of people physically present (3,370,611 in March 2026), which changes with expatriate travel and labor mobility. National accounts use 2025 World Bank GDP of US$215.56bn and real growth of 2.9%; the IMF’s 2026 projections are neither the same year nor realized outcomes. UNCTAD 2024 goods trade (US$94.286bn exported, US$35.802bn imported) is presented separately from NPC 2025 monthly and partner-share data. Political arrangements include the 2024 constitutional amendment, 2025 appointment of 49 Shura Council members and October 2026 council session. Al Zubarah is the single inscribed UNESCO property, while other proposed sites remain tentative.
Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). All stated population counts, prices, elections, and legal statuses have specific reference dates or qualifications. This page should be updated following major new statistical releases or changes of government.
- UN Statistics Division — M49 classification — Western Asia and Qatar country coding.
- World Bank — Qatar country data — 2025 population, nominal GDP, growth and development indicators.
- Qatar National Planning Council — Key Statistical Indicators — monthly population physically in Qatar, March 2026 and 2025.
- Qatar National Planning Council — Foreign Trade — 2025 leading export and import partner countries.
- Qatar National Planning Council — December 2025 foreign trade — December 2025 exports, imports, LNG and goods categories.
- Government Communications Office of Qatar — official portal — head of state, constitutional system and national institutions.
- Qatar Council of Ministers — Prime Minister — Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
- Shura Council of Qatar — Institutional history — 2024 constitutional amendment and 49 appointed members in 2025.
- Qatar Government Communications Office — Shura Council opening, October 13, 2026 — 2026 priorities and council session.
- Qatar Central Bank — riyal, banking, monetary governance.
- Qatar News Agency — Qatar Central Bank 2025 Macroeconomic Review — 2025 GDP growth and non-hydrocarbon expansion.
- IMF — Qatar country profile and economic assessment — 2026 outlook and macroeconomic context; projected versus observed.
- UNCTAD — Qatar country general profile — 2024 merchandise exports and imports, area and trade series.
- World Bank Climate Knowledge Portal — Qatar — extreme heat, aridity and climate risks.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Qatar — Al Zubarah World Heritage and tentative sites.
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Qatar — living heritage recognized in distinct UNESCO inventories.
- International Labour Organization — Qatar — migrant workers, labor regulation and reforms.
- World Health Organization — Qatar country data — health and life expectancy indicators.
- Visit Qatar — official visitor information — tourism, culture and visitor economy.
- Qatar Airways — corporate information — international aviation and logistics.
- Gas Exporting Countries Forum — Members — gas production and international gas organization.
- United Nations — Member States — Qatar UN membership and diplomatic engagement.
- World Bank — Qatar macroeconomic profile — GCC economic development, energy transition and finance.