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Economy of Qatar vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 56/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Qatar vs Yemen GDP by year

Qatar
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Yemen
2024 $219,162,637,363 -
2023 $217,308,516,484 -
2022 $235,709,340,659 -
2021 $179,732,142,857 -
2020 $144,411,538,462 -
2019 $176,371,428,571 -
2018 $183,335,164,835 $21,606,160,663
2017 $161,099,175,824 $26,842,229,045
2016 $151,732,142,857 $31,317,825,274
2015 $161,739,835,165 $42,444,490,074
2014 $206,224,725,275 $43,228,585,321
2013 $198,727,747,253 $40,415,233,436
2012 $186,833,516,484 $35,401,331,610
2011 $167,775,274,725 $32,726,417,878
2010 $123,627,197,802 $30,906,749,533
2009 $97,798,351,648 $25,130,278,213
2008 $115,270,054,945 $26,910,855,807
2007 $79,712,087,912 $21,650,528,674
2006 $60,882,142,857 $19,063,143,370
2005 $44,530,494,505 $16,731,566,717
2004 $31,734,065,934 $13,867,634,371
2003 $23,533,791,209 $11,777,532,662
2002 $19,363,736,264 $10,693,430,511
2001 $17,538,461,538 $9,852,990,693
2000 $17,759,890,110 $9,679,316,770
1999 $12,393,131,868 $7,639,325,296
1998 $10,255,495,027 $6,322,175,566
1997 $11,297,802,115 $6,838,298,531
1996 $9,059,340,385 $6,496,163,616
1995 $8,137,911,978 $12,796,345,679
1994 $7,374,450,769 $28,019,483,764
1993 $7,156,593,654 $21,736,802,664
1992 $7,646,153,984 $17,959,367,194
1991 $6,883,516,484 $14,665,445,462
1990 $7,360,439,423 $12,643,821,569
1989 $6,487,912,088 -
1988 $6,038,187,033 -
1987 $5,446,428,681 -
1986 $5,053,021,951 -
1985 $6,153,296,456 -
1984 $6,704,395,824 -
1983 $6,467,582,308 -
1982 $7,596,703,214 -
1981 $8,661,263,764 -
1980 $7,829,165,262 -
1979 $5,632,962,997 -
1978 $4,052,000,413 -
1977 $3,617,564,638 -
1976 $3,284,273,987 -
1975 $2,512,773,166 -
1974 $2,401,403,227 -
1973 $793,885,560 -
1972 $510,262,500 -
1971 $387,703,106 -
1970 $301,791,302 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Yemen by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 - -
2023 $81,817 $129,368 - -
2022 $88,701 $122,921 - -
2021 $71,752 $116,833 - -
2020 $51,684 $82,149 - -
2019 $66,841 $107,503 - -
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $634 -
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $811 -
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $975 -
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $1,362 -
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $1,430 -
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $969 $3,411
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $890 $3,294
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $810 $3,205
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $734 $3,113
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $628 $2,949
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $549 $2,844
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $513 $2,768
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $487 $2,702
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $493 $2,624
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $401 $2,492
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $343 $2,442
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $383 $2,351
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $375 $2,268
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $764 $2,201
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $910 $1,742
1989 $15,243 - - -
1988 $14,682 - - -
1987 $13,719 - - -
1986 $13,213 - - -
1985 $16,815 - - -
1984 $19,272 - - -
1983 $19,616 - - -
1982 $24,385 - - -
1981 $29,505 - - -
1980 $28,375 - - -
1979 $21,777 - - -
1978 $16,757 - - -
1977 $16,058 - - -
1976 $15,710 - - -
1975 $13,014 - - -
1974 $13,540 - - -
1973 $4,905 - - -
1972 $3,483 - - -
1971 $2,952 - - -
1970 $2,594 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Qatar Yemen
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
56/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
13.5%
2014
Population
2999260
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 10.6% 87%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 31% 32.1% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 32% 30.4% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 36.4% 36% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 29% 19.1% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 24.6% 78%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 50% 12.6% 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 130/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Yemen
2024 0.69% -2.48%
2023 5.56% -5.63%
2022 10.4% -2.15%
2021 0.24% -0.89%
2020 -2.13% -4.3%
2019 1% -5.89%
2018 2.26% -7.85%
2017 -6.82% -4.9%
2016 -9.2% -8.51%
2015 18.4% -8.75%
2014 13.4% -4.14%
2013 19.3% -6.9%
2012 8.55% -6.32%
2011 5.24% -4.51%
2010 4.6% -4.06%
2009 14.1% -10.2%
2008 9.49% -4.53%
2007 10.3% -7.18%
2006 8.39% 1.19%
2005 9.8% -1.82%
2004 17.7% -2.15%
2003 6.71% -4.2%
2002 7.89% -0.56%
2001 4.48% 2.79%
2000 4.62% 6.09%
1999 -4.35% 0.06%
1998 -7% -7.77%
1997 -9.4% -1.5%
1996 -8.73% -0.92%
1995 -5.78% -5.74%
1994 -11.8% -14%
1993 -9.53% -12.8%
1992 -2.74% -10.9%
1991 -2.57% -5.76%
1990 3.23% -10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2018, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.14B, equivalent to 2.26% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Yemen
2024 1.27% 33.9%
2023 3.03% 0.9%
2022 5% 29.5%
2021 2.3% 31.5%
2020 -2.54% 21.7%
2019 -0.67% 15.7%
2018 0.26% 33.6%
2017 0.39% 30.4%
2016 2.68% 21.3%
2015 1.81% 22%
2014 3.35% 8.2%
2013 3.22% 11%
2012 2.32% 9.9%
2011 1.14% 19.5%
2010 -2.43% 11.2%
2009 -4.86% 3.7%
2008 15.1% 19%
2007 13.8% 7.9%
2006 11.8% 10.8%
2005 8.81% 9.9%
2004 6.8% 12.5%
2003 2.26% 10.8%
2002 0.24% 12.2%
2001 1.47% 11.9%
2000 1.65% 11%
1999 2.18% 7.9%
1998 2.95% 11.5%
1997 4.83% 4.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.95M
Metals $1.68M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $113K
Chemicals & pharma $56K
Textiles & consumer goods $55K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $71K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Wood & paper products $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Qatar Yemen
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Yemen
Economic freedom 70.2 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 138/197
Property rights 66.2 3.5
Government integrity 53.5 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 9.9
Tax burden 99.9 93.7
Government spending 79.9 0
Fiscal health 96.6 71.2
Business freedom 68 31.3
Labor freedom 58.5 31.2
Monetary freedom 76 48.1
Trade freedom 81.8 67.4
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Yemen
2026 70.2 -
2025 70.2 -
2024 68.8 -
2023 68.6 -
2022 67.7 -
2021 72 -
2020 72.3 -
2019 72.6 -
2018 72.6 -
2017 73.1 -
2016 70.7 -
2015 70.8 53.7
2014 71.2 55.5
2013 71.3 55.9
2012 71.3 55.3
2011 70.5 54.2
2010 69 54.4
2009 65.8 56.9
2008 62.2 53.8
2007 62.9 54.1
2006 62.4 52.6
2005 63.5 53.8
2004 66.5 50.5
2003 65.9 50.3
2002 61.9 48.6
2001 60 44.3
2000 62 44.5
1999 62 43.3
1998 - 46.1
1997 - 48.4
1996 - 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar Yemen
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2015–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.