Qatar Country Profile
General Information
Official Name: State of Qatar (Dawlat Qaṭar)
Capital: Doha
Population: Approximately 2.9 million (2023), of which around 85-90% are expatriates.
Official Language: Arabic (English widely used as a second language)
Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR)
Geographic Location: Located in Western Asia on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the Persian Gulf to the north, east, and west.
Total Area: 11,571 square kilometres
Major City: Doha (capital and economic hub)
Political Context
Government Type: Qatar is an absolute monarchy, where the Emir holds near-total control over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Legal System: Qatar’s legal system is a blend of civil law, Islamic (Sharia) law, and Qatari statutory laws. Sharia plays a significant role in personal, family, and criminal matters.
Emir’s Role: The Emir of Qatar is the head of state, responsible for key decisions in governance, foreign policy, and military matters.
The Emir holds the ultimate authority over the executive branch and appoints key government officials, including the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Recent Developments: Under the leadership of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who took power in 2013, Qatar has continued its ambitious modernisation plans, including diversifying the economy away from oil and gas and hosting global events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar has also positioned itself as a mediator in regional conflicts.
Political Parties
No Political Parties: Political parties are not allowed in Qatar. The Emir and the ruling family control the political system, and most political decisions are made within the royal family or appointed government officials. Political dissent is not tolerated, and there is no formal opposition.
Parliamentary Structure
Advisory Council (Shura Council): ○ Qatar has a unicameral legislative body known as the Shura Council. The Council was reformed in 2021 to include elected members for the first time in Qatar’s history.
Composition: The Shura Council consists of 45 members, of whom 30 are elected by popular vote, and 15 are appointed by the Emir.
Role: The Shura Council has legislative authority to review, discuss, and approve proposed laws. However, the Emir has the final say on most major policies.
Limitations: The Council’s powers are limited in matters relating to defence, security, economic policy, and constitutional amendments.
Hierarchy in the State
Emir: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (since 2013)
Role: The Emir holds executive power, is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and sets the overall policy of the state.
Prime Minister: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (since 2023)
Role: As Prime Minister, he leads the executive branch, oversees government administration, and implements the policies set by the Emir.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (since 2016, serving as Foreign Minister and became Prime Minister in 2023)
Role: Oversees Qatar’s foreign relations and has been instrumental in positioning Qatar as a key player in international diplomacy, including mediating conflicts in the Middle East.
Minister of Interior (MIA): Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Role: Responsible for internal security, law enforcement, and public order.
Minister of Finance: Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari
Role: Oversees fiscal policies, government budgets, and financial strategy, crucial for Qatar's economic diversification efforts.
Table of Elections
Election Type Last Held Next Scheduled Details
Shura Council Election October 2, 2021 2025 First-ever elections for 30 seats in the Shura Council. Candidates must be of Qatari nationality.
Municipal Elections April 2023 2027 Elect members of the Central Municipal Council, which advises on municipal matters.
Emirate Succession No election Hereditary The Emir is succeeded by a member of the Al Thani family.
Way of Voting: Shura Council and Municipal Elections
Shura Council Elections:
Election Frequency: Every four years (next election in 2025).
Eligibility:
Voters: Qatari citizens over the age of 18. Citizenship is required for at least 15 years, with both parents being Qatari nationals.
Candidates: Qatari citizens over the age of 30 who are well-versed in reading and writing in Arabic.
Process: The Shura Council is made up of 45 members:
30 members are elected by popular vote using first-past-the-post voting in electoral districts.
The remaining 15 members are appointed by the Emir.
Voting Method: Citizens vote in person at polling stations using paper ballots, where they mark their preferred candidate for their district. The candidate with the most votes in each district wins the seat. · Municipal Elections:
Election Frequency: Every four years (last held in 2023).
Eligibility: Qatari citizens aged 18 and above can vote. Municipal candidates must be Qatari citizens, over 30 years of age, and reside in the constituency they represent.
Process: Members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) are elected via first-past-the-post voting. The CMC has advisory powers related to municipal services and local governance.
No Voting for National Executive Positions: Qatar is an absolute monarchy, and the Emir is not elected by popular vote. Instead, the Emirate succession follows the hereditary process, where the ruling Al Thani family selects the Emir.
The Prime Minister and other ministers are appointed by the Emir without electoral input.
[1] Shura Council - State of Qatar and Al Jazeera - Qatar Elections
Last Election Results
Shura Council Election (October 2, 2021):
Turnout: Approximately 63.5% of eligible voters.
Seats Contested: 30 elected seats (out of the 45 total).
Key Outcomes:
A diverse range of candidates ran across 30 electoral districts.
The elected members included a mix of professionals, tribal leaders, and civil servants. Notably, no women were elected in this first-ever election.
The remaining 15 members of the Shura Council were appointed by the Emir.
Economic Context
GDP: $243 billion (2023)
GDP Per Capita: One of the highest in the world at approximately $82,886 (2023).
Economic Model: Qatar’s economy is heavily reliant on oil and natural gas, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG). Qatar holds one of the largest natural gas reserves globally and is the largest exporter of LNG.
Diversification: Qatar’s National Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons, focusing on sectors such as finance, tourism, real estate, and education. The government has made significant investments in infrastructure and innovation.
Challenges: Qatar’s reliance on expatriate labor, economic dependence on hydrocarbons, and regional political dynamics (like the 2017-2021 Gulf diplomatic crisis) pose challenges to its growth.
International Political Context
Regional Influence: Qatar plays a pivotal role in regional diplomacy and has maintained a relatively independent foreign policy compared to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Its hosting of Al Jazeera has been a major driver of its international influence.
Mediation Role: Qatar has successfully positioned itself as a mediator in confl icts across the Middle East, including facilitating peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban and involvement in peace negotiations for Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon.
Gulf Crisis (2017-2021): In 2017, Qatar faced a blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, accusing it of supporting terrorism and aligning too closely with Iran. The crisis ended in January 2021, with Qatar emerging diplomatically stronger after maintaining its foreign policy positions throughout the blockade.
U.S.-Qatar Relations: Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the region. The base plays a critical role in U.S. operations in the Middle East.
Relations with Iran: Despite tensions with its Gulf neighbours, Qatar maintains relatively good relations with Iran, particularly due to shared natural gas reserves
