Country Profile
From The Report: Qatar 2016
View in Online Reader

Since gaining independence in 1971, Qatar has quickly risen to prominence both regionally and internationally to become an economic, political and cultural powerhouse in the Middle East. With a relatively small local population and substantial revenues generated from natural gas, Qatar has the world’s highest GDP per capita, averaging approximately $100,000. Prior to 2010, the country was mostly known internationally as the home of the media network Al Jazeera, yet this changed when Qatar won the contest to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December 2010. As the first and only Arab nation ever to host the event, Qatar has witnessed considerable press coverage since. Whether focusing on its extensive international investments, ample spending at home on substantial infrastructure projects, labour migration issues or the state’s involvement in foreign and regional affairs, Qatar has made a name for itself in the international arena.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; and interviews with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation; and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee.

OBG Bloomberg Terminal Research Homepage: OBGR

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The path to progress: The country is using its bountiful resources and unique cultural history to unlock its potential
OBG
plus

Since gaining independence in 1971, Qatar has quickly risen to prominence both regionally and internationally to become an economic, political and cultural powerhouse in the Middle East. With a relatively small local population and substantial revenues generated from having the third-largest proven natural gas reserves globally, Qatar has the world’s highest GDP per capita, averaging approximately $100,00. Prior to 2010, the country was mostly known internationally as the home of the media network…

Viewpoint

Initiative and progress: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, on the state’s response to lower hydrocarbons revenues
OBG
plus

Despite instability in the Middle East and the sharp drop in oil and gas prices, Qatar’s economy has maintained a solid growth rate through 2014, as the growth rate of GDP at constant prices reached about 6.1%. This is a favourable rate. Its importance is noticeable when compared with the growth rates in oil-exporting countries in the MENA region, where the rate was 2.4%, and with an average growth rate standing at 3.6% of GDP in the GCC. What attracts attention is that at the time the contribution…

Analysis

Demographics fuel growth: The recent population increase has driven both infrastructure investment and economic expansion
OBG
plus

Qatar enjoys one of the highest GDP per capita rankings in the world thanks largely to the wealth generated from oil and gas revenues, averaging approximately $100,000 per person. In addition to the local population experiencing one of the most rapid accumulations of wealth in the past century, the total population of the country has also grown substantially, in large part due to the influx of foreign workers needed to fuel economic expansion and, in particular, help build infrastructure. The population…

Interview

Seizing the moment: OBG talks to Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
OBG
plus

Interview:Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani How do you assess progress to date in terms of promoting local private sector participation? SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN NASSER BIN KHALIFA AL THANI: Overall, we are pleased with private sector participation, but it is obviously a work in progress. It should come as no surprise that developments in the global economy have affected the climate for investment in Qatar, just as they have investment in the region and, indeed, international markets…

Interview

A culture of excellence: OBG talks to Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation (QF)
OBG
plus

Interview:Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani The year 2015 marked QF’s 20th anniversary. What impact would you like Education City to have in the next two decades? SHEIKHA HIND BINT HAMAD AL THANI: QF was founded to nurture a culture of excellence through the pursuit of lifelong learning, to help achieve sustained growth for Qatar and its people, and to widen horizons and offer opportunities for the ultimate benefit of all. The first 20 years saw QF focusing on helping to develop strong…

Analysis

Ministries in motion: A series of ministerial moves are set to sharpen the country’s focus on the future
OBG
plus

In January 2016 Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, issued Emiri Decree No. 1 of 2016 and reshuffled the state’s Council of Ministers for the first time since Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, abdicated in his favour in June 2013. The first Council of Ministers appointed by Sheikh Tamim three years ago was well received as ushering in a new and younger generation of Qataris. More recently, the emir has discussed streamlining state institutions and reducing overlapping functions within…

Interview

Gold standard: OBG talks to Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee
OBG
plus

Interview:Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Than Can you outline Qatar’s vision for the development of a sports economy? SHEIKH JOAAN BIN HAMAD AL THAN: Qatar is a nation passionate about sport. We believe in the power of sport and its ability to touch every area of a nation’s development. This is why it is a fundamental part of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Through investment in community programmes, elite athlete development and state-of-the art facilities, as well as playing host to international…

Analysis

Top of the league: As the state continues its growth story, it has persistently ranked at the high end of many key global indicators
OBG
plus

With years of significant budget surpluses, a stable macroeconomic environment, low government debt, political stability and a sizeable sovereign wealth fund, Qatar has continued to rank highly in the leading global indices. Global Competitiveness In the 2015-16 “Global Competitiveness Report” published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Qatar ranked 14th out of 140 countries worldwide behind major global economies such as the US, Germany and the UK. Most notably, the state ranked first in…

Analysis

A dividend or a liability?: Meeting the needs of the region’s growing youth population
OBG
plus

One of the most important issues currently facing the Middle East is the changing composition of its demographic structure. A massive cohort of young people – known as a youth bulge – is challenging policy makers, with youth policy affecting security, education, the labour market and welfare programmes, among other areas. Given the relative stability and wealth of the GCC states, this is an issue that is not often associated with the region. However, handling a vast and growing young population…