Qatar GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Qatar has a high-income Gulf economy supported by natural gas, energy exports, services, construction, finance, and investment. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
-8.7%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#194
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-11.5 pp
2025: +2.8%
Asia Rank
#48
Out of 49 countries
1. Qatar GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Qatari economic growth is influenced by natural gas production, energy investment, services, construction, and domestic demand. Global LNG markets remain particularly important.
2. Qatar GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Qatar’s growth history has been shaped by rapid development of its natural gas sector, infrastructure investment, and diversification into services and finance. Energy exports remain central to the economy.
3. Qatar GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -8.7% | -11.5 pp |
| 2025 | +2.8% | +0.4 pp |
| 2024 | +2.4% | +0.9 pp |
| 2023 | +1.5% | -2.7 pp |
| 2022 | +4.2% | +2.6 pp |
| 2021 | +1.6% | +5.2 pp |
| 2020 | -3.6% | -4.3 pp |
| 2019 | +0.7% | -0.5 pp |
| 2018 | +1.2% | +2.7 pp |
| 2017 | -1.5% | -4.6 pp |
| 2016 | +3.1% | -1.7 pp |
| 2015 | +4.8% | -0.5 pp |
| 2014 | +5.3% | -0.3 pp |
| 2013 | +5.6% | +0.9 pp |
| 2012 | +4.7% | -6.6 pp |
| 2011 | +11.3% | -6.4 pp |
| 2010 | +17.7% | +4.6 pp |
| 2009 | +13.1% | -4.4 pp |
| 2008 | +17.5% | -0.7 pp |
| 2007 | +18.2% | -9.9 pp |
| 2006 | +28.1% | +20.3 pp |
| 2005 | +7.8% | -11.4 pp |
| 2004 | +19.2% | +15.2 pp |
| 2003 | +4.0% | -2.9 pp |
| 2002 | +6.9% | +2.4 pp |
| 2001 | +4.5% | -2.4 pp |
| 2000 | +6.9% | +3.1 pp |
| 1999 | +3.8% | -6.5 pp |
| 1998 | +10.3% | -17.4 pp |
| 1997 | +27.7% | +23.5 pp |
| 1996 | +4.2% | +3.8 pp |
| 1995 | +0.4% | -1.5 pp |
| 1994 | +1.9% | +2.8 pp |
| 1993 | -0.9% | -11.3 pp |
| 1992 | +10.4% | +11.9 pp |
| 1991 | -1.5% | +13.1 pp |
| 1990 | -14.6% | -19.9 pp |
| 1989 | +5.3% | +0.6 pp |
| 1988 | +4.7% | +3.8 pp |
| 1987 | +0.9% | -2.8 pp |
| 1986 | +3.7% | +16.7 pp |
| 1985 | -13.0% | -29.0 pp |
| 1984 | +16.0% | +21.3 pp |
| 1983 | -5.3% | +2.9 pp |
| 1982 | -8.2% | -4.3 pp |
| 1981 | -3.9% | -2.9 pp |
| 1980 | -1.0% | — |
4. Qatar GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
-8.7%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+0.5%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+0.1%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.1%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong energy revenues, major infrastructure, and high levels of investment. Expansion of LNG capacity can provide additional support to future activity.
5. Qatar GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Qatar
-8.7%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
-8.7%
-2.9%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Qatar’s GDP growth rate is approximately
11.0 pp
below the
Asia average
and
11.5 pp
below the world average.
6. Qatar GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #41 | Japan | +0.7% |
| #42 | Yemen | +0.5% |
| #43 | Bahrain | -0.5% |
| #44 | Kuwait | -0.6% |
| #45 | Syria | -1.2% |
| #46 | Iran | -6.1% |
| #47 | Iraq | -6.8% |
| #48 | Qatar | -8.7% |
| #49 | State of Palestine | -26.6% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Qatar
Qatar GDP (Nominal)
$217.4 Billion
(2026)
Qatar GDP Growth Rate
-8.7%
(2026)
Qatar’s growth can differ from regional and global averages because major energy projects have a large impact on output. Its high-income base also shapes the pace of non-energy expansion.
Explore more:
Qatar GDP
9. Qatar GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on LNG expansion, energy demand, investment, tourism, and diversification. Global energy prices and geopolitical risks remain important influences.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +8.6% | +17.3 pp |
| 2028 | +5.8% | -2.8 pp |
| 2029 | +7.8% | +2.0 pp |
| 2030 | +5.9% | -1.9 pp |
10. Qatar GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Qatar GDP growth rate is estimated at -8.7% in 2026.
It ranks #194 globally and #48 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 11.5 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +0.5%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +0.1%.
The current rate is 11.0 percentage points below the Asia average.
The current rate is 11.5 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +5.9% in 2030, 14.6 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Qatar GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Qatar GDP growth rate is estimated at -8.7% in 2026.
Qatar ranks #194 globally and #48 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is contracting, with real GDP growth of approximately -8.7% in 2026.
Qatar GDP growth rate was +4.8% in 2015.
Qatar GDP growth rate is 11.0 percentage points below the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.