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Economy of Qatar vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 56/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Qatar vs Switzerland GDP by year

Qatar
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Switzerland
2024 $219,162,637,363 $936,564,198,049
2023 $217,308,516,484 $894,424,821,645
2022 $235,709,340,659 $828,508,926,958
2021 $179,732,142,857 $815,309,330,987
2020 $144,411,538,462 $741,999,406,006
2019 $176,371,428,571 $721,369,112,727
2018 $183,335,164,835 $725,568,717,468
2017 $161,099,175,824 $695,200,833,086
2016 $151,732,142,857 $687,895,460,903
2015 $161,739,835,165 $694,118,186,380
2014 $206,224,725,275 $726,537,808,338
2013 $198,727,747,253 $706,234,937,371
2012 $186,833,516,484 $686,420,221,558
2011 $167,775,274,725 $715,888,126,682
2010 $123,627,197,802 $598,851,028,907
2009 $97,798,351,648 $554,212,916,092
2008 $115,270,054,945 $567,267,767,519
2007 $79,712,087,912 $490,740,715,595
2006 $60,882,142,857 $441,634,672,197
2005 $44,530,494,505 $418,284,865,885
2004 $31,734,065,934 $403,912,891,033
2003 $23,533,791,209 $362,075,086,508
2002 $19,363,736,264 $309,301,422,430
2001 $17,538,461,538 $286,582,672,434
2000 $17,759,890,110 $279,216,033,870
1999 $12,393,131,868 $297,873,643,323
1998 $10,255,495,027 $303,459,014,347
1997 $11,297,802,115 $294,788,198,856
1996 $9,059,340,385 $340,103,959,547
1995 $8,137,911,978 $352,835,806,342
1994 $7,374,450,769 $301,375,055,202
1993 $7,156,593,654 $272,237,527,071
1992 $7,646,153,984 $279,921,425,828
1991 $6,883,516,484 $268,901,693,863
1990 $7,360,439,423 $265,763,573,999
1989 $6,487,912,088 $208,105,846,934
1988 $6,038,187,033 $215,540,625,299
1987 $5,446,428,681 $199,236,370,038
1986 $5,053,021,951 $159,089,921,063
1985 $6,153,296,456 $110,980,314,192
1984 $6,704,395,824 $109,455,312,168
1983 $6,467,582,308 $114,634,358,535
1982 $7,596,703,214 $115,043,365,512
1981 $8,661,263,764 $112,244,805,519
1980 $7,829,165,262 $122,557,843,886
1979 $5,632,962,997 $114,970,094,425
1978 $4,052,000,413 $102,280,472,036
1977 $3,617,564,638 $73,135,771,167
1976 $3,284,273,987 $68,476,524,644
1975 $2,512,773,166 $65,466,081,819
1974 $2,401,403,227 $57,103,011,446
1973 $793,885,560 $49,550,006,320
1972 $510,262,500 $36,844,318,854
1971 $387,703,106 $30,040,171,751
1970 $301,791,302 $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Switzerland by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $15,243 - $31,309 -
1988 $14,682 - $32,690 -
1987 $13,719 - $30,441 -
1986 $13,213 - $24,460 -
1985 $16,815 - $17,152 -
1984 $19,272 - $16,991 -
1983 $19,616 - $17,859 -
1982 $24,385 - $18,000 -
1981 $29,505 - $17,665 -
1980 $28,375 - $19,394 -
1979 $21,777 - $18,266 -
1978 $16,757 - $16,282 -
1977 $16,058 - $11,644 -
1976 $15,710 - $10,865 -
1975 $13,014 - $10,328 -
1974 $13,540 - $9,005 -
1973 $4,905 - $7,856 -
1972 $3,483 - $5,885 -
1971 $2,952 - $4,835 -
1970 $2,594 - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Qatar Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
4.34%
2024
Population
2999260
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 34.4% 41%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 37% 43.2%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 32% 39.6%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 31% 32.1% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 32% 30.4% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 36.4% 36% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 30% 44.8%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 29% 19.1% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 33% 51.3%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 32.4% 50%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 50% 12.6% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 130/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Switzerland
2024 0.69% 0.58%
2023 5.56% 0.12%
2022 10.4% 1.19%
2021 0.24% -0.29%
2020 -2.13% -3.01%
2019 1% 1.34%
2018 2.26% 1.29%
2017 -6.82% 1.13%
2016 -9.2% 0.24%
2015 18.4% 0.55%
2014 13.4% -0.25%
2013 19.3% -0.43%
2012 8.55% 0.24%
2011 5.24% 0.68%
2010 4.6% 0.35%
2009 14.1% 0.5%
2008 9.49% 1.93%
2007 10.3% 1.57%
2006 8.39% 0.85%
2005 9.8% -0.65%
2004 17.7% -1.39%
2003 6.71% -1.36%
2002 7.89% -1.75%
2001 4.48% 0.21%
2000 4.62% 0.28%
1999 -4.35% -1.57%
1998 -7% -1.31%
1997 -9.4% -2.33%
1996 -8.73% -2.01%
1995 -5.78% -1.86%
1994 -11.8% -2.59%
1993 -9.53% -3.15%
1992 -2.74% -2.96%
1991 -2.57% -1.85%
1990 3.23% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Switzerland
2024 1.27% 1.06%
2023 3.03% 2.14%
2022 5% 2.84%
2021 2.3% 0.58%
2020 -2.54% -0.73%
2019 -0.67% 0.36%
2018 0.26% 0.94%
2017 0.39% 0.53%
2016 2.68% -0.43%
2015 1.81% -1.14%
2014 3.35% -0.01%
2013 3.22% -0.22%
2012 2.32% -0.69%
2011 1.14% 0.23%
2010 -2.43% 0.69%
2009 -4.86% -0.48%
2008 15.1% 2.43%
2007 13.8% 0.73%
2006 11.8% 1.06%
2005 8.81% 1.17%
2004 6.8% 0.8%
2003 2.26% 0.64%
2002 0.24% 0.64%
2001 1.47% 0.99%
2000 1.65% 1.56%
1999 2.18% 0.81%
1998 2.95% 0.02%
1997 4.83% 0.52%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $433M
Machinery & equipment $30M
Precious metals & jewellery $23.1M
Chemicals & pharma $12.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.86M
Weapons & explosives $1.53M
Metals $156K
Wood & paper products $121K
Miscellaneous $32K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $682M
Chemicals & pharma $166M
Machinery & equipment $65.9M
Raw materials & minerals $28.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $14.4M
Metals $4.03M
Raw agricultural goods $2.57M
Miscellaneous $2.35M
Animal & marine products $886K

Balance of trade

Qatar Switzerland
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Qatar Switzerland
Economic freedom 70.2 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 2/197
Property rights 66.2 94.4
Government integrity 53.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 98.3
Tax burden 99.9 70.9
Government spending 79.9 69.5
Fiscal health 96.6 97.2
Business freedom 68 86.3
Labor freedom 58.5 60
Monetary freedom 76 82.3
Trade freedom 81.8 87
Investment freedom 60 85
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Switzerland
2026 70.2 83.7
2025 70.2 83.7
2024 68.8 83
2023 68.6 83.8
2022 67.7 84.2
2021 72 81.9
2020 72.3 82
2019 72.6 81.9
2018 72.6 81.7
2017 73.1 81.5
2016 70.7 81
2015 70.8 80.5
2014 71.2 81.6
2013 71.3 81
2012 71.3 81.1
2011 70.5 81.9
2010 69 81.1
2009 65.8 79.4
2008 62.2 79.5
2007 62.9 78
2006 62.4 78.9
2005 63.5 79.3
2004 66.5 79.5
2003 65.9 79
2002 61.9 79.3
2001 60 76
2000 62 76.8
1999 62 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
27%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/switzerland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.