Qatar: Population
Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Qatar: Population
Population, Ethnic Groups
/ Language, Religion / Education, Health
/ Statistics
Overview
/ Leadership / System Essentials
/ Infrastructure / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
Boys playing on cannon at Az Zubarah fort, Qatar
Qatar has a population of 512,779 (1994 est.) and a population growth rate of 2.56% (1994 est.). The great majority of the population lives in the capital city of Doha. Only one-third of the populace are native Qataris.
Most Qataris are Arabs; some have Iranian or African ancestry. Large foreign communities of Indians, Iranians, Pakistanis, and Egyptians exist in the country. Other expatriate groups include Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Afghans, other Arabs, Sri Lankans, and Westerners (mostly British).
Arabic is the official language of Qatar, but English is commonly spoken in business and government.
Over 95% of the population adheres to some form of the Muslim faith. Most Qataris follow the strictly orthodox Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam. Of the remaining Muslims, Arabs, Pakistanis, and Afghans are Sunni, while Iranians are mainly Shiite. Other religious groups include Hindus (mostly Indian) and Christians (Indians, Filipinos, and Westerners).
Education is free though not compulsory in the twelve-year public school system which consists of a six-year primary cycle, a three-year intermediate cycle, and a three-year secondary cycle. The University of Qatar is also free and in 1993 had an enrollment of 6500 students. The average literacy rate is 76%.
Qatar has a comprehensive system of well-equipped public clinics and hospitals staffed by mainly foreign personnel. Most care is provided free to all residents. Several private clinics are located in Doha. Average life expectancy at birth in 1994 was 72.6 years.
World ranking (of 191)