2.39% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 3.6 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.96 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.41 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.09 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.8 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.35 years
male: 70.75 years
female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari

Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian
10%, other 14%

Religions: Muslim 95%

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

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 79.4%
male: 79.2%
female: 79.9%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: pronounced gutter

Data code: QA

Type of government: traditional monarchy

Capital: Doha

Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular -
baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al
Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal

Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970

Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir,
although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is
significant in personal matters

Suffrage: none

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Amir and Prime Minister HAMAD
bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he
ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup) is an absolute monarch; Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin
Khalifa Al Thani (since NA July 1995); note - Amir HAMAD who also
holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of
the armed forces, has not yet selected a new crown prince
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the amir

Legislative branch: unicameral
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): the