Qatar: public finances

What is Qatar's budget for 2026?

Qatar's 2026 state budget plans revenue of 199.0 billion riyals and expenditure of 220.8 billion riyals, a deficit of 21.8 billion riyals, according to the Ministry of Finance's public budget dataset. Hydrocarbon revenue is estimated at 155.0 billion riyals and non-hydrocarbon revenue at 44.0 billion riyals. Salaries and wages are budgeted at 69.5 billion riyals and major capital projects at 62.8 billion riyals.

The budget is an estimate made before the year starts.

Official sources: Qatar Open Data API: Public budget of the State of Qatar, 2025-2026 · Qatar Open Data: The Public Budget of the State of Qatar

Did Qatar have a budget deficit in 2025?

Qatar recorded a budget deficit of 8.0 billion riyals in 2025, with actual revenue of 210.0 billion riyals and expenditure of 218.0 billion riyals, according to the Ministry of Finance's fiscal performance dataset. In 2024 there was a surplus of 5.6 billion riyals. Hydrocarbon revenue was 166.3 billion riyals in 2025, down from 172.9 billion riyals in 2024.

These are actual outturn figures, unlike the budget, which is a plan. The 2025 budget had planned a deficit of 13.2 billion riyals.

Official sources: Qatar Open Data API: Fiscal performance, 2024-2025 · Qatar Open Data: Fiscal Performance · Qatar Open Data API: Public budget, 2025-2026

How much debt does Qatar have?

Qatar's total public debt was 338.6 billion riyals in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's public debt dataset. Of this, 180.2 billion riyals was external debt and 158.4 billion riyals domestic debt. Total public debt was 329.2 billion riyals in 2024.

Public debt covers loans, bonds, treasury bills and sukuk issued by the government to domestic or foreign lenders, as defined in Financial Law No. 2 of 2015. External debt is owed to non-residents. The dataset gives amounts in million riyals.

Official sources: Qatar Open Data API: Public debt, 2024-2025 · Qatar Open Data: Public Debt

What is Qatar's government debt?

In 2025, general government gross debt in Qatar was 42.5% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 72.6% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at 9.4% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 52.5% of GDP, and Qatar placed 13th highest of 20. Worldwide: 120th of 185.

What is Qatar's budget deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -1.0% of GDP, which is a deficit. The peak was 19.3% of GDP in 2013 and the low -9.2% of GDP in 2016. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: -5.2% of GDP; Qatar is 6th highest of 21. Worldwide: 51st of 188.

What is Qatar's government revenue?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Qatar was 26.8% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 26.3% of GDP, and Qatar placed 10th highest of 21. Worldwide: 96th of 187.

What is Qatar's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Qatar at 27.8% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 23.5% of GDP (2008) to 40.1% of GDP (2016). It is 13th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 28.7% of GDP. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 107th highest.

What is Qatar's military budget as a share of GDP?

According to SIPRI, military spending in Qatar was 6.5% of GDP in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.4% of GDP; Qatar is 1st highest of 17. Worldwide: 2nd of 153.