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Economy of Qatar vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 56/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Qatar vs United States GDP by year

Qatar
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar United States
2024 $219,162,637,363 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $217,308,516,484 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $235,709,340,659 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $179,732,142,857 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $144,411,538,462 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $176,371,428,571 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $183,335,164,835 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $161,099,175,824 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $151,732,142,857 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $161,739,835,165 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $206,224,725,275 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $198,727,747,253 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $186,833,516,484 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $167,775,274,725 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $123,627,197,802 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $97,798,351,648 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $115,270,054,945 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $79,712,087,912 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $60,882,142,857 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $44,530,494,505 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $31,734,065,934 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $23,533,791,209 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $19,363,736,264 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $17,538,461,538 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $17,759,890,110 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $12,393,131,868 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $10,255,495,027 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $11,297,802,115 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $9,059,340,385 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $8,137,911,978 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $7,374,450,769 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $7,156,593,654 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $7,646,153,984 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $6,883,516,484 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $7,360,439,423 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $6,487,912,088 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $6,038,187,033 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $5,446,428,681 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $5,053,021,951 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $6,153,296,456 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $6,704,395,824 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $6,467,582,308 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $7,596,703,214 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $8,661,263,764 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $7,829,165,262 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $5,632,962,997 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $4,052,000,413 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $3,617,564,638 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $3,284,273,987 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $2,512,773,166 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $2,401,403,227 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $793,885,560 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $510,262,500 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $387,703,106 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $301,791,302 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs United States by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $15,243 - $22,857 -
1988 $14,682 - $21,417 -
1987 $13,719 - $20,039 -
1986 $13,213 - $19,071 -
1985 $16,815 - $18,237 -
1984 $19,272 - $17,121 -
1983 $19,616 - $15,544 -
1982 $24,385 - $14,434 -
1981 $29,505 - $13,976 -
1980 $28,375 - $12,613 -
1979 $21,777 - $11,674 -
1978 $16,757 - $10,565 -
1977 $16,058 - $9,453 -
1976 $15,710 - $8,592 -
1975 $13,014 - $7,801 -
1974 $13,540 - $7,226 -
1973 $4,905 - $6,726 -
1972 $3,483 - $6,094 -
1971 $2,952 - $5,609 -
1970 $2,594 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Qatar United States
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
4.02%
2024
Population
2999260
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 43.2% 125%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 35% 105.4%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 35.8% 105%
2012 31% 32.1% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 38.8% 100%
2010 32% 30.4% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 36.4% 36% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 29% 19.1% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 34% 59%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 50% 12.6% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 130/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar United States
2024 0.69% -8.03%
2023 5.56% -7.8%
2022 10.4% -3.72%
2021 0.24% -11.4%
2020 -2.13% -14.1%
2019 1% -5.81%
2018 2.26% -5.33%
2017 -6.82% -4.79%
2016 -9.2% -4.36%
2015 18.4% -3.53%
2014 13.4% -4.03%
2013 19.3% -4.56%
2012 8.55% -8.11%
2011 5.24% -9.72%
2010 4.6% -11%
2009 14.1% -13.2%
2008 9.49% -6.61%
2007 10.3% -2.91%
2006 8.39% -2.04%
2005 9.8% -3.07%
2004 17.7% -4.24%
2003 6.71% -4.77%
2002 7.89% -3.82%
2001 4.48% -0.54%
2000 4.62% 3.62%
1999 -4.35% 2.71%
1998 -7% 2.18%
1997 -9.4% 0.88%
1996 -8.73% -0.46%
1995 -5.78% -1.7%
1994 -11.8% -2.05%
1993 -9.53% -3.35%
1992 -2.74% -3.98%
1991 -2.57% -2.72%
1990 3.23% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar United States
2024 1.27% 2.95%
2023 3.03% 4.12%
2022 5% 8%
2021 2.3% 4.7%
2020 -2.54% 1.23%
2019 -0.67% 1.81%
2018 0.26% 2.44%
2017 0.39% 2.13%
2016 2.68% 1.26%
2015 1.81% 0.12%
2014 3.35% 1.62%
2013 3.22% 1.46%
2012 2.32% 2.07%
2011 1.14% 3.16%
2010 -2.43% 1.64%
2009 -4.86% -0.36%
2008 15.1% 3.84%
2007 13.8% 2.85%
2006 11.8% 3.23%
2005 8.81% 3.39%
2004 6.8% 2.68%
2003 2.26% 2.27%
2002 0.24% 1.59%
2001 1.47% 2.83%
2000 1.65% 3.38%
1999 2.18% 2.19%
1998 2.95% 1.55%
1997 4.83% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $936M
Metals $318M
Machinery & equipment $75.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $75.1M
Weapons & explosives $50.8M
Chemicals & pharma $20.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.62M
Miscellaneous $1.59M
Wood & paper products $577K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $341K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.71B
Chemicals & pharma $274M
Precious metals & jewellery $240M
Miscellaneous $137M
Metals $82.8M
Weapons & explosives $81M
Animal & marine products $74.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $64.3M
Raw materials & minerals $34.4M

Balance of trade

Qatar United States
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar United States
Economic freedom 70.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 27/197
Property rights 66.2 91.6
Government integrity 53.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 76.4
Tax burden 99.9 75.3
Government spending 79.9 57.9
Fiscal health 96.6 18.5
Business freedom 68 88.6
Labor freedom 58.5 76.3
Monetary freedom 76 84.2
Trade freedom 81.8 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar United States
2026 70.2 72.8
2025 70.2 70.2
2024 68.8 70.1
2023 68.6 70.6
2022 67.7 72.1
2021 72 74.8
2020 72.3 76.6
2019 72.6 76.8
2018 72.6 75.7
2017 73.1 75.1
2016 70.7 75.4
2015 70.8 76.2
2014 71.2 75.5
2013 71.3 76
2012 71.3 76.3
2011 70.5 77.8
2010 69 78
2009 65.8 80.7
2008 62.2 81
2007 62.9 81.2
2006 62.4 81.2
2005 63.5 79.9
2004 66.5 78.7
2003 65.9 78.2
2002 61.9 78.4
2001 60 79.1
2000 62 76.4
1999 62 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar United States
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
21.8%
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/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.