People

Prior to the discovery and exploitation of oil in the 1950's the population of Qatar in the early part of this century, which can only be guessed at due to lack of accurate records, varied between 16,000 and 30,000, according to times of relative prosperity or slump.

Of these numbers, a substantial proportion were foreign workers from Africa, and a smaller proportion were Iranians, usually occupied in trading or boat building.

The real boom in foreign workers began in the 1970's. Between the first census, carried out in 1970, which revealed a tota population of roughly 111,000 and 1977, the population doubled.

By 1986 the figure had reached 370,000 and by 1992, nearly 500,000. The present number is made up of about 25% of Qatari nationals, with the rest being expatriates.

Of the latter, by far the largest groups come from the Indian subcontinent (dominated by Pakistanis and Indian Keralites), other Arab countries (notably Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Syria) and the Philippines.

The European / North American / Australasian population still numbers less than ten thousand (although it has virtually doubled over the last two or three years, due to increased recruitment for the oil and gas industries).

Overall there are representatives of a huge number of different nationalities resident in Qatar. These range from people from various African countries, to East Europeans, to South Americans, to Far Eastern nations.

Exact statistics on the population of Qatar are obtainable through the government Central Statistical Office, which conducts census surveys about every five years. The last one was carried out in 1997. Should you wish to find out the fact and figures in great detail, contact the CSO on 497497.

Qataris tend to have large families, many with over five children. The improvement in health care, and resultant dramatic drop in infant mortality rates has meant that the national population is growing at a considerable and healthy rate.

Qatari nationals are often of somewhat mixed race themselves, coming both from a variety of tribes that have inhabited the region for centuries (including what are now Bahraini and Saudi Arabian families) and from overseas countries, such as Iran and East Africa.

This accounts for the variety of physical characteristics observable among the Qatari people. Most of the population (over 60%) lives in Doha, with the rest distributed in the smaller towns, such as Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan and Messaieed. A negligible number live in rural areas.

Overall, the population mix in the State of Qatar constitutes one of the most fascinating aspects of life in the country. The new resident will find it possible to meet and get to know people from all over the world, and to absorb many aspects of the varied and interesting cultures that prevail.

It is especially noticeable and commendable for children, who mix with a great variety of nationals in their schools, and grow up with none of the prejudice or racism that so often affects Western nations.