Qatar

Economy & industry overview

Qatar is a high-income, hydrocarbon-driven economy on the Arabian Peninsula, ranking among the world's highest in GDP per capita. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil exports account for the large majority of government revenues and merchandise exports, with mineral fuels comprising approximately 86.5% of total merchandise exports. The government's National Vision 2030 strategy targets economic diversification into financial services, logistics, tourism, and technology to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. Qatar hosts the world's third-largest proven natural gas reserves and is a leading global LNG exporter. The Qatar Stock Exchange, established in 1995 and upgraded to MSCI Emerging Market status in 2014, serves as the primary capital market for the country's publicly listed firms.

Key sectors

Learn everything about Qatar →

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	$166.30B
Market cap / GDP	76.9%
Unemployment	0.1%
Listed companies	53
Exchange	Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE)

Data year: 2024. Sources: IMF World Economic Outlook, World Bank World Development Indicators, Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority, Macrotrends (World Bank data series), FocusEconomics, Forbes Middle East Top 20 Listed Companies 2025, Qatar Stock Exchange (qe.com.qa), CEIC Data, Wikipedia – Economy of Qatar, Statista, Capital.com.

Local exchange & access

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

Local broker access

Direct retail access to the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) for non-residents is limited; foreign ownership is capped at 49% for most listed companies (some companies allow up to 100% foreign ownership). International investors typically gain exposure via global depositary receipts (GDRs), ETFs, or through licensed local brokers such as QNB Financial Services, Dukhan Capital, and Al Rayan Investment. Several international brokerage platforms with MENA coverage also provide access. Settlement follows a T+2 cycle and the exchange operates Sunday through Thursday.

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 does not levy personal income tax on individuals. Expatriates make up the majority of the resident population and workforce. Labour regulations are governed by the kafala (sponsorship) system, which has undergone reforms since 2020 including removal of no-objection certificate requirements for most workers changing employers. Doha is the primary business hub with modern infrastructure and English is widely used in commerce.