Qatar

qatar

Qatar's national income primarily derives from oil and natural gas exports. The country has oil estimated at 15 billion barrels (2.4 km³). Qataris' wealth and high standard of living compare well with those of Western European nations. Qatar has the 2^nd highest GDP per capita in the world. Qatar is also one of the two least taxed sovereign states in the world with no income tax.

 

While oil and gas will probably remain the backbone of Qatar's economy for some time to come, the country seeks to stimulate the private sector and develop a "knowledge economy". In 2004 it established the Qatar Science & Technology Park to attract and serve technology-based companies and entrepreneurs, from overseas and within Qatar.

 

Qatar is aiming to become a role model for economic and social transformation in the region. Large scale investment in all social and economic sectors will also lead to the development of a strong financial market.

 

Total GDP: $91.33 billion (2008 est.)

 

GDP Growth Rate: 13.4% (2008 est.)

 

GDP Per Capita: $110,700 (2008 est.)

 

Population: 833,285 (July 2009 est.)

 

Population Growth Rate: 0.957% (2009 est.)

 

Fertility Rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.)

 

Age Structure:

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040)

15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004)

65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930)

(2009 est.)

 

Source: CIA World Factbook