Qatar

Economy & industry overview

Qatar is a high-income, hydrocarbon-driven economy on the Arabian Peninsula, where liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil exports account for the dominant share of government revenues and merchandise exports. The country holds among the world's largest proven natural gas reserves and is one of the top global LNG exporters, with QatarEnergy leading the North Field expansion project targeting 142 million tonnes per annum capacity by 2030. Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy toward financial services, tourism, logistics, and technology, reducing dependence on hydrocarbons over time. GDP per capita is among the highest globally, underpinned by a large expatriate workforce that constitutes the substantial majority of the labour force. The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) lists approximately 54 domestic companies spanning banking, energy, industrials, telecoms, and real estate.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$216.29B
GDP growth real, annual	1.5%
Inflation annual	1.3%
Population people	3.4M
GDP per capita USD	$70,815
Market cap total listed, USD	$170.32B
Market cap / GDP	78.8%
Unemployment	0.1%
Listed companies	54
Exchange	Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE)

Data year: 2024. Sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook 2024, World Bank Open Data 2024, Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority, Macrotrends (World Bank data series), FocusEconomics – Qatar Country Profile, TheGlobalEconomy.com (World Bank series), GCC Statistical Center (GCC-STAT) Q2 2024 Labour Report, US State Department 2024 Investment Climate Statement: Qatar, Qatar Stock Exchange (qe.com.qa), iShares / BlackRock – QAT ETF factsheet, Capital.com QSE Company Data April 2026, Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA).

Local exchange & access

Exchange	Qatar Stock Exchange
Code	QSE
Website	www.qe.com.qa
Currency	QAR

Local broker access

Foreign investors may own up to 49% of most QSE-listed companies, with some sectors permitting up to 100% foreign ownership following reforms approved in 2021. Access for international retail investors is primarily via global brokers offering access to MSCI Emerging Market-classified markets, or through US-listed ETFs such as iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT). Direct QSE access requires an account with a licensed QSE member broker; a list of licensed brokers is published on the QSE website (qe.com.qa). Settlement is T+2. QSE is regulated by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA).

Global brokers with foreign-market access

• Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
• Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
• Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.

Listed for convenience only — not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.

Relocation & residency

Foreign-investor access

Qatar levies no personal income tax on individuals. Expatriates comprise approximately 84.5% of the total labour force. Residency is typically tied to employment sponsorship (kafala system, under reform) or investment. The Mustaqel Visa introduced in 2024 offers a five-year renewable permit for qualified entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. Foreign nationals cannot obtain Qatari citizenship through investment; naturalisation after 25 years of residence is subject to strict annual caps.