Economy - overview Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001.

GDP purchasing power parity - $16.3 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate 5.6% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $21,200 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 1%
industry: 49%
services: 50% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2001)

Labor force 280,122 (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate 2.7% (2001)

Budget
revenues: $5 billion
expenditures: $4.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $900 million (FY01/02 est.)

Industries crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement

Industrial production growth rate NA%

Electricity - production 9.2 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (2000)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption 8.556 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000)

Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish

Exports $11 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)

Exports - commodities petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners Japan 43%, Singapore 8%, South Korea 6%, US 4%, UAE 2% (1999)

Imports $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)

Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, Italy 6%, US 6% (1998)

Debt - external $13.1 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient $NA

Currency Qatari rial (QAR)

Currency code QAR

Exchange rates Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.6400 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March

NOTE: The information regarding Qatar on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Qatar Economy 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Qatar Economy 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.