Qatar is a small, affluent country that is developing rapidly. The highest population densities are Doha (46%) and Al Rayyan (37%).  Qatar covers an area of 11,000 sq km and is located on the East Coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south.

With the world’s third largest natural gas reserves (around 14%) and a population estimated to have crossed the million mark, Qatar has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.  To reduce dependency on  oil & gas, the government has stepped up investment expenditure to diversify the economy particularly in the education, financial services, tourism and healthcare sectors.  It is also creating an enabling environment for privatisation and growth of small-medium size enterprises (SME’s).

Qatar’s economy grew at around 12% in 2007, driven by strong expansion in the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as Construction and Financial Services and is forecast by the IMF to grow at the same annual rate for the next decade.

“Qatar’s medium-term outlook is very favourable, with continued strong growth expected to be driven by the hydrocarbon sector, as well as by diversification to higher value added Petrochemicals, Finance & Education services.” The 2007 IMF Report said.

Key Facts:

• Population 1,500.000 est.
• Area 11,437 km2
• Capital City Doha
• Official Language Arabic
• Human Development Index 0.875 (35th)
• GDP per capita US $67,000
• Unemployment 3.2%
• Economic Growth 12%