People and Society of Qatar

Nationality

Qatari(s)

Ethnic Groups

Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Population

2,981,383

Population in Major Urban Areas

DOHA (capital) 567,000

Good modern medical care and medicines are available in Qatar. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Qatar ranks among the highest in the Arab world and compares favorably with many developed nations globally. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Qatar is approximately 80 years, with women generally outliving men — women can expect to live to around 81–82 years, while men average closer to 78–79 years. This relatively high life expectancy reflects Qatar's significant investment in its healthcare infrastructure over recent decades. The country has developed a modern, well-funded public health system, with major facilities such as Hamad Medical Corporation serving as the backbone of national healthcare delivery. Access to medical care is heavily subsidized for Qatari nationals, and expatriate residents also benefit from regulated private healthcare services. Qatar's wealth, derived largely from its vast natural gas and petroleum reserves, has enabled per capita healthcare spending that exceeds the regional average by a considerable margin. This financial capacity has translated into lower rates of infant and child mortality, expanded preventive care programs, and greater access to specialist medical treatment. However, the country does face certain public health challenges that place some downward pressure on longevity. Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are notably elevated in Qatar's population, linked in part to sedentary lifestyles, dietary patterns, and the extreme heat that limits outdoor physical activity for much of the year. The government has responded with national health initiatives aimed at promoting physical fitness and better nutrition habits. Qatar's demographic composition is also worth noting: the population is dominated by a large expatriate labor workforce, which skews overall health statistics. Younger working-age migrants, particularly from South and Southeast Asia, make up the majority of residents, which can influence aggregate life expectancy figures compared to the native Qatari population. Overall, ongoing investment in healthcare quality, disease prevention, and urban infrastructure positions Qatar to maintain or gradually improve its life expectancy figures in the coming decades.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Muslim77.0%
• Other14.0%
• Christian9.0%

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

• Arabic

Crime Information

The crime rate in Qatar is generally low. A large police presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country. Incidents of violence are rare but have occurred more frequently in recent years as Doha’s population and economic pressures on expatriate workers have increased. Local and third-country-national young men have occasionally verbally and physically harassed unaccompanied expatriate women. Reports of petty theft are infrequent but have been growing, including ATM and credit card theft, purse snatching, and pickpocketing. Travelers should not leave valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronic items unsecured in hotel rooms or unattended in public places. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Qatar, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings; well-marked signs will usually inform you. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Qatar, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Qatar, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go. Criminal offenses are punished according to Qatari laws, which in some cases are based on Islamic law and sometimes more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Qatari laws, even unknowingly, may be arrested, imprisoned, deported, or subject to a ban from departing Qatar. Travel bans are not lifted until both parties resolve a dispute and the case is abandoned or, if not, until the matter is resolved by a court, which may require months to process the case. Qatari law enforcement authorities have detained potential witnesses or relatives without charges or access to legal counsel during the investigation of a crime. The U.S. Embassy in Doha cautions U.S. citizens that Qatari police have arrested U.S. citizens suspected of or witness to a crime, including traffic accidents involving injuries to pedestrians or the occupants of other cars, traffic arguments, slander, and a variety of lesser offenses. Once an arrest has been made, the Qatari Police have no independent authority to grant a release, an authority reserved solely for Qatar’s Public Prosecution and Courts. As a result, arrested U.S. citizens, regardless of the charges, often spend one or two nights in jail awaiting a hearing with Qatar’s Public Prosecution or the appropriate court. Qatari law enforcement authorities do not routinely notify the U.S. Embassy in Doha of a U.S. citizen’s arrest and, for more serious crimes, may not allow a U.S. Embassy official to visit an arrested U.S. citizen until the initial interrogation is completed. Upon arrest, U.S. citizens should ask to speak to the U.S. Embassy immediately, and if not allowed, request that a friend or family member notify the U.S. Embassy through the contact information below. Incidents involving insults or obscene language/gestures often result in arrest, overnight imprisonment and/or fines whether the incident occurs between private parties or involves officers of the law. Insulting someone in public is considered a punishable offense. Drunk driving, public intoxication and other alcohol-related offenses are treated with severity and will result in arrest, heavy fines, imprisonment, or expulsion from the country. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Qatar are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.