Qatar profile

Demography and Health

Qatar’s population as of 2024 stands at about 2.86 million people, a composition dominated by foreign residents with a relatively small citizen share. Life expectancy at birth is 82.4 years in 2023, reflecting strong health outcomes and access to medical services. The crude birth rate is 9.91 per 1,000 people (2023), while the crude death rate is 0.93 per 1,000 people (2023), indicating a low natural increase in the context of rapid immigration. The mortality rate for children under five is 6.0 per 1,000 live births (2023), suggesting good child health overall. Unemployment remains exceptionally low at 0.13% (2022), which, alongside a net migration inflow of 46,105 (2024), points to a labor market sustained by a large expatriate workforce. Health financing shows clear public backing: current health expenditure is 2.18% of GDP (2022), and domestic government health expenditure per capita, PPP stands at 1,905 international US$ (2022), indicating substantial government commitment to health access within a high-income economy.

Economy

Qatar’s economy ranks among the world’s wealthiest on a per-person basis, with GDP per capita (current US$) at 76,276 in 2024 (rank 9) and GDP per capita (PPP, current international US$) at 126,110 in 2024 (rank 5). The country exports a large proportion of its GDP—68.6% of GDP in 2022—while imports account for about 31.6% of GDP (2022), signaling a highly open economy with substantial trade in goods and services. Inflation is modest at 1.27% in 2024. High-technology exports are modest in scale, about 245,656,000 US$ in 2023, illustrating a developing niche in sophisticated products. Research and development spending amounts to 0.681% of GDP (2021), indicating ongoing but still evolving innovation activity; patent activity by residents is 47 applications (2021). The economy runs a sizable current account surplus, amounting to 17.5% of GDP in 2024, underscoring a robust external position typical of an energy-exporting country. Foreign direct investment net inflows stand at 0.211% of GDP (2024), suggesting a moderate level of inward investment relative to the size of the economy. On the defense front, military expenditure was about 15.41 billion US$, in 2022, signaling sustained priority given to security alongside economic activity. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita reach 58.1 t CO2e, reflecting energy-intensive production and consumption patterns alongside ongoing discussions about carbon management; renewable energy consumption remains at 0% of total final energy consumption in 2021, highlighting heavy reliance on hydrocarbons and the challenge of diversifying energy sources.

Trade and Investment

Qatar shows a highly trade-intensive profile. Exports of goods and services comprise 68.6% of GDP in 2022, while imports consume 31.6% of GDP (2022), illustrating a large external orientation and dependence on global supply chains for consumption and investment goods. The current account balance stands at a sizable 17.5% of GDP in 2024, indicating a persistent external surplus and important buffer for macroeconomic stability. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 0.211% of GDP in 2024, reflecting a notable but moderate level of international investment relative to the economy’s scale. The logistics environment is comparatively advanced, with the Logistics Performance Index for quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure rated at 3.8 out of 5 in 2022, placing Qatar among the higher ranks globally and supporting efficient trade flows. Overall, the external sector demonstrates substantial openness and resilience, aided by a large energy export base and a favorable current account position.

Governance and Institutions

Qatar’s governance indicators portray a stable and effective policy environment. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score 0.993 in 2023, ranking 26 globally, signaling low perceived political risk. Regulatory quality is high at 0.977 (2023, rank 36), and rule of law stands at 0.933 (2023, rank 37), reflecting credible legal and regulatory frameworks. Control of corruption is 0.702 (2023, rank 45), and government effectiveness is 1.2 (2023, rank 27), suggesting generally strong institutions that support business and investment activities. Collectively, these indicators point to a predictable environment with robust administrative capacity, although they do not capture all dimensions of citizen participation or social accountability. Taken together, they align with Qatar’s position as a hub for regional activity and a secure venue for long-term investments, including in infrastructure and technology.

Infrastructure and Technology

Qatar demonstrates advanced digital and logistical capabilities. Internet usage is extremely high, with 99.7% of the population online in 2023, indicating near-universal digital connectivity. The Logistics Performance Index scores 3.8 out of 5 for quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure in 2022, and ranks 8 globally, reflecting efficient ports, airports, and logistics services that facilitate trade. In the technology space, high-technology exports amount to about 245.7 million US$ in 2023, highlighting a growing but still developing domestic high-tech sector. Research and development expenditure is 0.681% of GDP (2021), showing ongoing investment in knowledge creation, while patent applications by residents total 47 (2021) with a rank of 75, indicating scope for further strengthening of intellectual property activity at the individual level. The public and private sectors’ emphasis on connectivity and logistics, together with modest R&D intensity, suggests a trajectory toward greater diversification and technology-enabled growth, aided by a strong institutional framework identified in governance indicators.

Environment and Sustainability

Qatar faces significant environmental challenges alongside its wealth. Level of water stress, measured as freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available resources, is reported at 431.0 in 2021, with a rank of 5, signaling substantial water scarcity pressures. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are very high at 58.1 t CO2e per capita in 2023, underscoring a carbon-intensive footprint largely driven by energy production and consumption patterns. Renewable energy consumption is reported at 0% of total final energy consumption in 2021, indicating an economy still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for energy needs. These indicators collectively point to urgent priority areas in water efficiency, energy transition, and emissions reductions as Qatar continues to balance growth with environmental sustainability and climate commitments.