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Middle East :: Qatar

- ## Introduction :: QATAR

- 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. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew the father in a bloodless coup in 1995. In short order, HAMAD oversaw the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's pursuit of a leadership role in mediating regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar has not experienced domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Since the outbreak of regional unrest, however, Doha has prided itself on its support for many of these popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. In mid-2013, HAMAD transferred power to his 33 year-old son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad - a peaceful abdication rare in the history of Arab Gulf states. TAMIM has prioritized improving the domestic welfare of Qataris, including establishing advanced healthcare and education systems and expanding the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

- ## Geography :: QATAR

- Location:
  Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
  Geographic coordinates:
  25 30 N, 51 15 E
  Map references:
  Middle East
  Area:
  total: 11,586 sq km
  land: 11,586 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Area - comparative:
  almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut
  Area comparison map:
  Land boundaries:
  total: 87 km
  border countries (1): Saudi Arabia 87 km
  Coastline:
  563 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
  Climate:
  arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
  Terrain:
  mostly flat and barren desert
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
  highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
  Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 5.6%
  arable land 1.1%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 4.3%
  forest: 0%
  other: 94.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  129.4 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  0.06 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%)
  per capita: 376.9 cu m/yr (2005)
  Natural hazards:
  haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
  Environment - current issues:
  limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

- ## People and Society :: QATAR

- Nationality:
  noun: Qatari(s)
  adjective: Qatari
  Ethnic groups:
  Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
  Languages:
  Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
  Religions:
  Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other (includes mainly Hindu and other Indian religions) 14% (2004 est.)
  religious affiliation:
  Population:
  2,194,817 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 12.52% (male 139,353/female 135,514)
  15-24 years: 12.96% (male 207,493/female 76,879)
  25-54 years: 70.23% (male 1,278,442/female 263,051)
  55-64 years: 3.39% (male 57,581/female 16,886)
  65 years and over: 0.89% (male 12,365/female 7,253) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 20.1%
  youth dependency ratio: 18.6%
  elderly dependency ratio: 1.4%
  potential support ratio: 70.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 32.8 years
  male: 33.9 years
  female: 28.1 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  3.07% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Birth rate:
  9.84 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Death rate:
  1.53 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 225
  Net migration rate:
  22.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 99.2% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 6.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  DOHA (capital) 718,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 2.7 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 4.86 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 3.41 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.71 male(s)/female
  total population: 3.39 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  13 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 78.59 years
  male: 76.58 years
  female: 80.65 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Total fertility rate:
  1.91 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  38% (2012)
  Health expenditures:
  2.2% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Physicians density:
  7.74 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 98% of population
  rural: 98% of population
  total: 98% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2% of population
  rural: 2% of population
  total: 2% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  41% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Education expenditures:
  2.4% of GDP (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 97.3%
  male: 97.4%
  female: 96.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 14 years
  male: 14 years
  female: 14 years (2005)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 1.1%
  male: 0.4%
  female: 6.2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134

- ## Government :: QATAR

- Country name:
  conventional long form: State of Qatar
  conventional short form: Qatar
  local long form: Dawlat Qatar
  local short form: Qatar
  note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is cutter
  Government type:
  emirate
  Capital:
  name: Doha
  geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
  time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal
  Independence:
  3 September 1971 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
  Constitution:
  previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters)
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar
  dual citizenship recognized: no
  residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)
  head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD (since 20 September 2011)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (15 seats; members appointed by the monarch); note - the 2003 constitutional referendum called for the election of 30 members, however, the first election scheduled for 2013 was postponed and current term extended until 2016
  note: although the Advisory Council has limited legislative authority to draft and approve laws, the Amir has final vote on all legislation; Qatar's first legislative elections were expected to be held in 2013, but HAMAD postponed them in a final legislative act prior to handing over power to TAMIM; in principle, the public would elect 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; the Advisory Council would have authority to approve the national budget, hold ministers accountable through no-confidence votes, and propose legislation; the 29-member Central Municipal Council - first elected in 1999 - has limited consultative authority aimed at improving municipal services; members elected for a 4-year term; next election scheduled for May 2019
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members); note - the Supreme Constitutional Court was established in 1999, but has not been fully implemented
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the Amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judicial Supreme Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA
  subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; Sharia Courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally
  Political parties and leaders:
  political parties are banned
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  none
  International organization participation:
  ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA (observer), EITI (implementing country), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Jaham Abd al-Aziz al-KUWARI (since 10 March 2014)
  chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
  telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
  FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
  consulates: Houston, Los Angeles
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Dana Shell SMITH (8 September 2014)
  embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
  mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
  telephone: [974] 4496-6000
  FAX: [974] 4488 4298
  Flag description:
  maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916
  note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted
  National symbol(s):
  a maroon field surmounted by a white serrated band with nine white points; national colors: maroon, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem)
  lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN
  note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar

- ## Economy :: QATAR

- Economy - overview:
  Qatar has prospered in the last several years with continued high real GDP growth. GDP was driven largely by the oil and gas sector however growth in the manufacturing, construction, and financial services sectors have pushed the non-oil component to just over half of Qatar’s nominal GDP for the first time since 2000. Economic policy is focused on sustaining Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for roughly 92% of export earnings, and 62% 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 56 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 opened in mid-2014 with an initial annual passenger capacity of 24 million and with a projected 50 million when complete.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $306.6 billion (2014 est.)
  $294.9 billion (2013 est.)
  $282 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 52
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $210.1 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4% (2014 est.)
  4.6% (2013 est.)
  4.9% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $137,200 (2014 est.)
  $131,900 (2013 est.)
  $126,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Gross national saving:
  58.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  59.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  60.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 14.8%
  government consumption: 14.1%
  investment in fixed capital: 33.9%
  investment in inventories: -1.6%
  exports of goods and services: 69.1%
  imports of goods and services: -30.5%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 0.1%
  industry: 68%
  services: 32.1% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
  Industries:
  liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
  Industrial production growth rate:
  0.9% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Labor force:
  1.593 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Unemployment rate:
  0.4% (2014 est.)
  0.3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 1.3%
  highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)
  Budget:
  revenues: $92.46 billion
  expenditures: $58.54 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  44% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  16.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Public debt:
  31.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  32.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3% (2014 est.)
  3.1% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Central bank discount rate:
  4.5% (31 December 2012)
  4.93% (31 December 2011)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  4.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
  4.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Stock of narrow money:
  $34.14 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $29.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Stock of broad money:
  $142.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $125.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $168.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $149.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $126.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $125.4 billion (31 December 2011)
  $123.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Current account balance:
  $54.84 billion (2014 est.)
  $62.42 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Exports:
  $131.6 billion (2014 est.)
  $136.8 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Exports - commodities:
  liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
  Exports - partners:
  Japan 25.3%, South Korea 18.8%, India 12.7%, China 7.7%, Singapore 6.2%, UAE 5.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $38.23 billion (2014 est.)
  $31.47 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
  Imports - partners:
  US 11.5%, China 10.6%, UAE 8.2%, Germany 7.1%, Japan 6.4%, UK 5.5%, Italy 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $42.77 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
  $43.32 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Debt - external:
  $156.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $149.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $33.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $32.42 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $45.71 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $38.96 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Exchange rates:
  Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -
  3.64 (2014 est.)
  3.64 (2013 est.)
  3.64 (2012 est.)
  3.64 (2011 est.)
  3.64 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: QATAR

- Electricity - production:
  32.7 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Electricity - consumption:
  30.53 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  7.947 million kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  98.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  1.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Crude oil - production:
  1.54 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Crude oil - exports:
  1.232 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  25.24 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  310,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  230,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  554,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 11
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Natural gas - production:
  158.5 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Natural gas - consumption:
  32.93 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Natural gas - exports:
  125.5 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  25.07 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  99.17 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41

- ## Communications :: QATAR

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 420,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 3.3 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 156 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 130 telephones per 100 persons
  international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  TV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government, but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha; in August 2013, Qatar's satellite company Es'hailSat launched its first communications satellite Es'hail 1 (manufactured in the US), which entered commercial service in December 2013 to provide improved television broadcasting capability and expand availability of voice and internet; Es'hailSat released a request for proposals in March 2014 for its second satellite to launch in 2016 (2014)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
  Internet country code:
  .qa
  Internet users:
  total: 2.1 million
  percent of population: 96.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95

- ## Transportation :: QATAR

- Airports:
  6 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  over 3,047 m: 3
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m:
  1 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  condensate 288 km; condensate/gas 221 km; gas 2,383 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 745 km; refined products 103 km (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 9,830 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Merchant marine:
  total: 28
  by type: bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 13, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4
  foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6)
  registered in other countries: 35 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 29, Panama 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan
  LNG terminal(s) (export): Ras Laffan

- ## Military :: QATAR

- Military branches:
  Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  conscription for males aged 18-35; 4 month general obligation, 3 months for graduates (2014)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 389,487
  females age 16-49: 165,572 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 321,974
  females age 16-49: 140,176 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 6,429
  female: 5,162 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: QATAR

- Disputes - international:
  none
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 1,200 (2014)
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution; the predominantly foreign workforce migrates to Qatar legally but often experiences situations of forced labor, including debt bondage, delayed or nonpayment of salaries, confiscation of passports, abuse, hazardous working conditions, and squalid living arrangements; foreign female domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to trafficking because of their isolation in private homes and lack of protection under Qatari labor laws; some women who migrate for work are also forced into prostitution
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2013, the government took action to prevent human trafficking by convicting individuals for visa selling, doubling the number of labor inspectors, closing some recruitment firms, and implementing anti-trafficking awareness campaigns; authorities identified some trafficking victims and provided them with shelter and other protection services; the government did not reform the exploitive sponsorship system, prosecute or convict any trafficking offenders, or rigorously enforce laws prohibiting employers from withholding wages and passports (2014)

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