Qatar: immigration

What is the population of Qatar?

Qatar's estimated population was 3,143,491 in 2024: 2,215,203 males and 928,288 females, according to the National Planning Council's population estimates by gender and age. In 2023 it was 3,063,005.

The estimates cover everyone living in Qatar, citizens and foreign residents. Males outnumbered females by about 2.4 to 1. The National Planning Council does not publish a breakdown by nationality in this dataset.

Official sources: Qatar Open Data API: Population estimates by gender, 2023-2024 · Qatar Open Data: Population Estimates by Gender and Age Groups

How many migrants live in Qatar?

International migrants made up 76.7% of Qatar's population in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, from the UN Population Division. Net migration was 36,288 people in 2025, according to the World Bank net migration series.

The migrant stock counts people born in another country, or with foreign citizenship where birthplace data are missing. Net migration is arrivals minus departures. Both are UN estimates and can differ from national counts.

Official sources: World Bank: International migrant stock (% of population), Qatar · World Bank: Net migration, Qatar

How many refugees are there in Qatar?

Qatar hosted 195 refugees and 153 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population data. There were 197 refugees at the end of 2023 and of 2024.

Refugees are people whose need for protection has been recognised; asylum seekers are still waiting for a decision. UNHCR compiles the figures from government sources. The counts cover people under UNHCR's mandate and do not include foreign residents who live in Qatar on work or family permits.

Official sources: UNHCR population API: Qatar as country of asylum, 2023-2025

How many foreign workers are there in Qatar's private sector?

1,957,633 foreign workers were employed in Qatar's private sector in 2025, up from 1,797,897 in 2024 and 1,209,612 in 2020, according to the Ministry of Labour's dataset of foreign workers in the private sector.

The count covers foreign workers, including nationals of other Gulf states, employed in the private sector. The number has risen every year since 2020, by 62% in five years. Most of Qatar's population of about 3.1 million is made up of foreign residents.

Official sources: dataset of foreign workers in the private sector

How many people claim asylum in Qatar?

No new asylum applications were recorded in Qatar in 2025 or 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. UNHCR counts 195 refugees, 153 asylum seekers and 1,200 stateless people in Qatar at the end of 2025, in its population figures.

Qatar passed a political asylum law in 2018, but UNHCR's data show no applications registered in recent years. The stateless figure counts people with no nationality known to UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · in its population figures

What share of Qatar's population are immigrants?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 76.7%. That compares with 86.1% in 2015. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.5%, and Qatar placed 1st highest of 22. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

Are more people leaving Qatar than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 36,288. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 245,703; its low point was 2020, at -50,433. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was -376, and Qatar placed 7th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 25th of 193.

How many refugees are in Qatar?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 195. The peak was 202 in 2019 and the low 13 in 2008. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 15,377. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 139th highest.

How many refugees have fled Qatar?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 73. The peak was 123 in 2012 and the low 6 in 2005. It is 21st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 7,322. Worldwide: 155th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Qatar?

0.6% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Qatar for 2025, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2011 was 2023, at 0.7% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 0.2% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 0.6% of GDP; Qatar is 6th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 127.