External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Qatar
Qatar: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was 37.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Qatar, 1980–2022
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Qatar recorded 37.0% for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in 2022.
The figure is up 49.9% on the previous year and down 21.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Qatar peaked at 47.6% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 1995.
That places Qatar 3rd out of 191 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Qatar, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 47.6% | — |
| 1981 | 39.3% | -17.5% |
| 1982 | 25.1% | -36.2% |
| 1983 | 18.9% | -24.6% |
| 1984 | 23.6% | +25.2% |
| 1985 | 21.8% | -7.6% |
| 1986 | 6.3% | -71.0% |
| 1987 | 9.2% | +45.9% |
| 1988 | 9.3% | +1.3% |
| 1989 | 13.7% | +46.9% |
| 1990 | 21.3% | +55.5% |
| 1991 | 13.9% | -34.9% |
| 1992 | 15.5% | +11.5% |
| 1993 | 11.4% | -26.3% |
| 1994 | 11.1% | -2.8% |
| 1995 | 1.0% | -90.9% |
| 1996 | 3.9% | +290.6% |
| 1997 | 12.1% | +207.3% |
| 1998 | 11.1% | -8.1% |
| 1999 | 34.3% | +208.5% |
| 2000 | 45.0% | +30.9% |
| 2001 | 36.8% | -18.1% |
| 2002 | 32.2% | -12.5% |
| 2003 | 33.2% | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 38.0% | +14.2% |
| 2005 | 35.4% | -6.7% |
| 2006 | 27.1% | -23.6% |
| 2007 | 24.4% | -9.7% |
| 2008 | 33.3% | +36.2% |
| 2009 | 22.1% | -33.5% |
| 2010 | 38.6% | +74.3% |
| 2011 | 46.5% | +20.6% |
| 2012 | 47.2% | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 43.1% | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 37.0% | -14.1% |
| 2015 | 20.4% | -44.8% |
| 2016 | 5.9% | -71.2% |
| 2017 | 14.3% | +142.9% |
| 2018 | 20.0% | +40.3% |
| 2019 | 14.3% | -28.5% |
| 2020 | 8.2% | -42.7% |
| 2021 | 24.7% | +200.2% |
| 2022 | 37.0% | +49.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 21.5% | 6.3% | 47.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.6% | 1.0% | 34.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 32.8% | 22.1% | 45.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 28.7% | 5.9% | 47.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.3% | 8.2% | 37.0% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Qatar
- 1 Macau, China 45.4% compare
- 2 Ireland 40.2% compare
- 4 Singapore 35.4% compare
- 5 Luxembourg 31.2% compare
- 6 San Marino 31.0% compare
More economy & growth data for Qatar
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.9074 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.61 Percent per annum (2029)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), annual growth rate -11.24 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.184 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), per capita 13,347 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$) 1.43 % change on previous year (2022)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 0.1288 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2022)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 11,422 current US$ per person (2022)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 1.43 % change on previous year (2022)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current LCU), per 0.4687 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Qatar?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Qatar was 37.0% in 2022, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Qatar?
- The highest recorded value was 47.6% in 1980.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Qatar?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 1995.
- How does Qatar rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- Qatar ranks 3rd out of 191 countries with data for 2022.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in Qatar?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Qatar data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.