Qatar

The State of Qatar is a sovereign Arab nation situated on a small peninsula projecting into the Persian Gulf, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and surrounded by Gulf waters on all other sides. Once a sparsely populated protectorate reliant on pearling and fishing, Qatar has undergone a remarkable transformation since the mid-twentieth century. Fuelled by its immense natural gas and petroleum reserves, it now ranks among the world’s wealthiest states, symbolising both the economic success and evolving modernity of the Arab Gulf region.

Historical Background

Modern Qatar’s history is closely tied to the Al Thani family, who rose to prominence in the mid-nineteenth century by unifying the peninsula’s tribes. In 1916, the country became a British protectorate, gaining protection in exchange for control over its foreign affairs. Upon the withdrawal of Britain from the Gulf, Qatar declared independence on 3 September 1971, establishing itself as a sovereign state under Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.
The nation’s modernisation accelerated dramatically after Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power in 1995, following a peaceful coup against his father. His rule was marked by sweeping reforms in governance, media freedom, and international diplomacy. The establishment of Al Jazeera in 1996 positioned Qatar as a media leader in the Middle East, reshaping Arab journalism. Sheikh Hamad also launched initiatives in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and pursued a foreign policy centred on mediation and dialogue.
By the early 2000s, Qatar had resolved border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, expanded its gas exports, and achieved one of the world’s highest per capita incomes. It remained insulated from the upheavals of the Arab Spring (2011) through its wealth and stability, supported by a generous welfare system.
In 2013, Sheikh Hamad abdicated voluntarily in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Amir. Under his leadership, Qatar faced the 2017 Gulf crisis, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt imposed a blockade, accusing Doha of supporting Islamist movements. The blockade ended in 2021 after the Al-Ula Declaration, restoring diplomatic relations.
Qatar’s international profile grew significantly with its hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the first held in the Arab world, showcasing its infrastructure and organisational capacity. In the same year, it was designated a major non-NATO ally of the United States, further consolidating its global security partnerships.

Geography and Environment

Qatar occupies an area of 11,586 square kilometres, roughly twice the size of Delaware, forming a peninsula extending northwards into the Persian Gulf. Its terrain is largely flat and arid, with Tuwayyir al Hamir (103 m) as its highest point. The nation shares an 87 km land border with Saudi Arabia and has 563 km of coastline.
The climate is extremely arid, with intense summer heat and mild winters, and frequent dust and sandstorms. The country lacks rivers or permanent freshwater sources, depending almost entirely on desalination and limited groundwater extraction from the Arabian Aquifer System.
Vegetation is sparse, and only about 6.4% of the land is arable. Nonetheless, environmental awareness has grown rapidly. Under the Qatar National Vision 2030, the country has prioritised environmental sustainability, water conservation, and renewable energy development. Challenges remain in air pollution, freshwater scarcity, and coastal degradation, but state investment in green infrastructure and climate resilience is steadily increasing.

People and Society

Qatar’s 2024 population is approximately 2.55 million, of which only about 11.6% are Qatari citizens. The vast majority—around 88%—are expatriate workers from South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This composition gives Qatar one of the world’s most imbalanced demographic profiles, with nearly 3.3 males for every female, reflecting its labour-import-dependent economy.
The country is almost entirely urbanised (99.4%), with the capital Doha and nearby Ar-Rayyan housing most residents. Arabic is the official language, while English is widely used in business, education, and administration. Islam, primarily Sunni, is the official religion, though expatriate communities freely practise Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism under state licensing.
The median age is 34.3 years, and life expectancy averages 80.3 years, one of the highest in the region. Health expenditure is around 2.9% of GDP, supporting advanced facilities like Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medicine. Education receives about 3.2% of GDP, with Education City in Doha hosting campuses of prestigious universities including Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, and Northwestern University. Female enrolment rates now surpass those of males, reflecting progressive investment in human capital.

Government and Political Structure

Qatar is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Al Thani dynasty. The Amir, currently Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, serves as head of state, chief of the armed forces, and ultimate authority in state affairs. The Prime Minister, Muhammad bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani, leads the Council of Ministers, which oversees executive administration.
The Shura Council (Majlis al-Shura) functions as a partially elected advisory legislature with 45 members—30 elected and 15 appointed by the Amir. The first elections, held in 2021, marked a cautious move toward limited political participation.
The legal system combines civil law with Islamic (Sharia) law, particularly in personal and family matters. The 2005 Constitution guarantees basic rights to citizens while affirming the central authority of the Amir. Political parties are prohibited, but consultative governance and national unity remain integral to Qatar’s political identity.
The national flag features a maroon field and a serrated nine-point white band, symbolising peace and Qatar’s position as the ninth reconciled emirate under the 1916 British treaty. National Day, celebrated on 18 December, commemorates the Al Thani family’s consolidation of power in 1878.

Economy

Qatar’s economy is among the most prosperous in the world, underpinned by its vast natural gas and oil reserves. In 2024, the country’s GDP (PPP) stood at $317 billion, with per capita income exceeding $110,000.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP growth: 2.8%
• Inflation: 1.3%
• Unemployment: 0.2%
• Current account surplus: $38 billion

The energy sector dominates, accounting for nearly 60% of industrial output. Qatar is the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) globally, with major customers in China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
Economic diversification forms the cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030, which promotes sectors such as finance, logistics, tourism, and renewable energy. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a sovereign wealth fund exceeding $450 billion, invests internationally in assets such as Volkswagen, Heathrow Airport, and London real estate.
Agriculture contributes only 0.3% of GDP, constrained by arid conditions, but post-2017 food security initiatives have spurred domestic production. The services sector, including aviation (Qatar Airways), banking, and tourism, generates nearly 46% of GDP.
The Qatari riyal (QAR) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.64 QAR/USD, providing financial stability and investor confidence.

Defence and Security

Qatar’s Armed Forces (QAF) consist of approximately 15,000 active personnel, divided among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The nation also maintains the Lekhwiya (Internal Security Force) and the Coast Guard. Military spending is consistently high—around 5% of GDP—reflecting Qatar’s emphasis on defence capability.
The country hosts the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at Al Udeid Air Base, accommodating thousands of U.S. and allied personnel, and maintains defence partnerships with Turkey, France, and Italy. Conscription, introduced in 2013, is mandatory for men aged 18–35.
Qatar is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and participates in regional collective defence initiatives such as the Peninsula Shield Force.

Foreign Policy and Global Role

Qatar’s foreign policy blends diplomatic activism with strategic neutrality. It plays a mediating role in regional and international conflicts, including in Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, often hosting negotiations in Doha.
Through the Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar exerts significant soft power, influencing public opinion across the Arab world. Sports diplomacy is another key tool: hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and investing globally in teams like Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have enhanced its global visibility.
Qatar maintains strong relations with the United States, United Kingdom, and France, while balancing its ties with Iran and regional partners. It is a member of the United Nations, OPEC, WTO, and GCC, and continues to advocate for dialogue-based conflict resolution and climate action.