Background
Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed
itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling
into an independent state with significant oil and natural
gas revenues.
In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi
Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have
a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries
of Western Europe.
Population: 885,359 (July 2006 est.) 
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 105,546/female 101,371)
15-64 years: 73% (male 446,779/female 199,133)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 24,059/female 8,471) (2006 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.7 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 22.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.5% (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.24 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.87 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Ethnic groups:Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions:Muslim 95%
Internet hosts:204 (2005)
Internet users:219,000 (2005)
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a
second language
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79%
male: 79%
female: 80% (1995 est.)
Economy - overview
Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export
earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves
of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current
levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP
comparable to that of the leading West European industrial
countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7
trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third
largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas
are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature
the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000,
Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion,
due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports,
and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$24.46 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 8.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$28,300 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 1%
industry: 49%
services: 50% (1996 est.)
Labor force:440,000 (2005 est.)
Industrial production growth rate:10% (2003 est.)
Exports:$24.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports:$6.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (2001)
Budget
Revenues: $17.31 billion
expenditures: $11.31 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2005 est.)
Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
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