Short facts about the economy in Qatar

Economy - overview:

Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 66% 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 petroleum and the diversification of the economy. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $6 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports.

GDP:	purchasing power parity - $15.1 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2000 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):

2.5% (2000)

Labor force:

233,000 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues:  $3.9 billion expenditures:  $4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

Industries:

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

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

9 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel:  100% hydro:  0% nuclear:  0% other:  0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption:

8.37 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (1999)

Agriculture - products:

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

Exports:

$9.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners:

Japan 52%, Singapore 9%, South Korea 8%, US, UAE (1998)

Imports:

$3.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, US 6%, Italy 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

Source: World Factbook