Qatar


Overview

Qatar has prospered in the last several years with continued high real GDP growth. Throughout the financial crisis Qatari authorities sought to protect the local banking sector, with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP is driven largely by changes in oil prices and by investment in the energy sector. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 50% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the world's highest per-capita income country and the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves in excess of 25 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for about 57 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, about 13% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid is accelerating large-scale infrastructure projects such as Qatar's metro system, light rail system, the construction of a new port, roads, stadiums and related sporting infrastructure. The new Hamad International Airport is expected to open in mid-2014 with an annual passenger capacity of 24 million on initial opening and 50 million when complete.

GDP

$198.7 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$185.3 billion (2012 est.)
$171.4 billion (2011 est.)

GDP- Real Growth Rate

5.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
8.1% (2012 est.)
13% (2011 est.)

GDP - Per Capita

$102,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
$100,900 (2012 est.)
$100,400 (2011 est.)

GDP - Composition By Sector

agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 72.2%
services: 27.7% (2013 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

NA%

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

3.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
1.9% (2012 est.)

Labor Force

1.424 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Labor Force - By Occupation

NA%

Unemployment Rate

0.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2 0.5% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Industrial Production Growth

2.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108