Qatar – facts and figures

Qatar is made up of mostly desert – 99% of population (2.9 million) lives in capital, Doha

25% of people are female. Men outnumber women by three to one

Qataris are in minority, with foreign workers comprising over 85% population

Qatar is among richest countries by GDP per capita: $61,276 (world: $12,263)

Qatar has world’s third largest proven natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran

Sex outside of marriage and homosexual behaviour is illegal

Drinking alcohol in public places could result in $800 fine or even prison sentence

Swearing and making rude gestures can result in jail or deportation

Hereditary monarchy. Current ruler is Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Name Qatar dates from 50AD, when Roman writer Pliny the Elder referred to inhabitants as “Catharrei”

Flag’s colour, defined as Qatar maroon, is nod to country’s role in purple dye industry

Arabian Oryx, seen in Qatar Airways logo and saved from extinction in 1970s, is national animal


Sources: World Bank (2021 data), Timeout Doha, gov.uk
© GRAPHIC NEWS