Total population

The total population of Qatar in 2010 was 1,699,435, of which 1,284,739 were males comprising 75.6% of the total population and 414,696 females comprising 24.4% of the total population.

 (Source: qix.gov.qa)                                                 

The total population of Qatar in 2010 reflects an increase of 128.40% compared to 2009. The rate of increase in male population was 158.82% and that of female population was 40.28% in 2010.

 (Source: qix.gov.qa)

Gender balance

The overall gender ratio (number of males per 100 females) for the country is 310.

 (Source: qix.gov.qa)

The overall gender ratio in the country is highly unstable with 309.8 males per 100 females. The gender balance is almost balanced in the age group 0-14 years with 105 males per 100 females. It is highly unstable in the age group 40-44 years with a ratio of 506 males per 100 females.

Mortality rate

The infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) was recorded at 8.3 in the period 2005 – 2010. The life expectancy at birth for females is 76.9 years and for males is 74.9 years, as recorded in the period 2005-2010. The median age of the Qatari population in 2009 was 29.4 years.

(Source: UN, qix.gov.qa)

Life expectancy

The life expectancy at birth for an individual in the country was recorded at 76 years in 2010.

(Source: UNDP)

Marital status

The marital status of Qatari for age group above 15 is 55.3% Married, 39% Unmarried, 3.4% Widowed and 2.3% Divorced.

(Source: qix.gov.qa)

Ethnic environment

Ethnic groups in Qatar include:

·         Qatari Arabs

·         Other Arabs

·         Indians

·         Fillipino

·         Nepali

·         Pakistani

·         Sri Lankan

(Source: state.gov)

Migration

(Source: un.org)

At mid-year 2010, 86.6% of the total population were migrants. Female migrants comprised 25.8% of the total migrant population and 74.2% were male migrants. Majority of the country’s population lives in urban areas.

(Source: un.org, UN)

Poverty and inequality

The World Bank ranks Qatar among the high income economies globally. The country had a per capita expenditure of more than USD 33 per day in 2007.

(Source: qsa.gov.qa,World Bank)

Human development index

Qatar is ranked 38^th out of 182 countries in Human Development Index with a value of 0.803 with a life expectancy at birth of 76 years in 2010. Gross national income per capita at PPP was USD 79426 in 2010.

(Source: UNDP)

Consumer price index (CPI)

The consumer price index in South Africa is on steady rise. The index figure for December 2010 was 113.0. The annual CPI index figure for 2010 is 111.7, as compared to 107.1 in 2009.

Base year, 2008 = 100

(Source: National Statistics)

Interest rates

(Source: Central Bank)

Money supply (currency in circulation)

According to the South African Reserve Bank (the central bank), money in circulation as of January 2011, was ZAR 2,102,671 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

M0 - Deposit of banks, mutual banks with the SARB and notes and coins outside the SARB and SA mint

M1A - Coins and banknotes in circulation outside the monetary sector, cheque and transmission deposit with banking institutions and post office savings bank

M1 – M1A plus other demand deposit with banking institutions

M2 - M1 plus other short term deposits, and all medium term deposits (including savings deposits) with the monetary banking institutions

M3 - M2 plus all long term deposit with monetary banking institutions

Government Expenditure

Government expenditures in South Africa exceeded revenues at the end of December 2010. Specifically, government expenditures totaled ZAR 82,781 million and the surplus was ZAR 722 million.

 (Source: Central Bank)

Central government debt

The total central government debt in January 2011 amounted to ZAR 903,819 million. Of the total debt, foreign debt amounted to ZAR 96,826 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

Official exchange rate

ZAR per dollar rate in January 2011 was registered at 6.9 as compared to 6.83 in December 2010.

(Source: Central Bank)

Government finances

Fiscal balance

(Source: Central Bank)

The fiscal balance recorded in January 2011 amounted to a deficit of ZAR 7,153 million, as compared to a surplus of ZAR 722 million in December 2010.

Government Revenue

(Source: Central Bank)

The national government revenue in January 2011 amounted to ZAR 48,539 million, as compared to ZAR 82,781million in December 2010.

Tax revenue

Tax revenues for 2008/09 amounted to ZAR 657,679.8 million, as compared to ZAR 599,565 for 2007/08. Of the total tax revenue, about 95% are collected at the national level.

(Source: South African Revenue Service)

Current account balance - surplus/deficit

South Africa has registered a current account deficit for the first three quarters of 2010. The current account deficit for the third quarter of 2010 was ZAR 79.2 billion, as compared to a deficit of ZAR 75.4 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2009.

(Source: Central Bank of South Africa)

Balance of payments

(Source: Central Bank)

Consumer price index

Base year 2007 = 100

(Source: qix.gov.qa)

Interest rate on Savings deposits

(Source: qnb.com.qa)

Interest rate on time deposits

1 month to 6 months (QATARI RIYAL)

1 Year to 3 years (QATARI RIYAL)

(Source: qnb.com.qa)

Money supply (currency in circulation)

The currency in circulation in 2009 increased by 5.3% compared with the much higher growth of 19.6% in 2008. The currency in circulation at end of 2009 was QR 5,653 million. The currency in circulation has increased in 2009 has increased by QR 284.8 million compared to 2008.

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Growth of money supply (%)

During 2009 money supply increased by 4.4%, compared to much higher growth of 24.9% in 2008. This decline in growth was due to deceleration in demand deposits and currency in circulation.

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Government expenditure

Preliminary figures for 2009/2010

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Official exchange rate

(Source: World Bank)

Government financial well-being

Fiscal balance

(Source: qnb.com.qa)

The fiscal balance reflects a continuous decrease due to increase in total annual expenditure. The estimated surplus for the year 2010 is QA 26,500 million. The total expenditure increased by QR 12,522 million in 2008-09 and estimated to increase by QR 4,578 million in 2009-10.

Government budget

(Source: qnb.com.qa)

Tax revenue

Total tax revenue of the country was registered at 4.9% of total GDP.

 (Source: Heritage.org)

Current surplus/deficit

The current account balance registered in 2009 was QR 20,647 million, reflecting a decline of 64.3% as compared to the previous year. The ratio of current account to GDP has also declined from 14.3% in 2008 to 5.8% in 2009. The change in export and import of goods has highly influenced the current account balance.

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Current account balance (QR million)

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Balance of payment (QR million)

In 2009, the overall balance witnessed a surplus of QR 30,258 million. This was significantly higher than surplus of QR 1,623 million in 2008. The country's balance of payment has consistently registered a surplus for the past five years. The capital and financial account has recorded a surplus of QR 2,197 million in 2009 compared to the deficit of QR 48,365 million in the previous year.

(Source: qcb.gov.qa)

Form of Government

South Africa has a multiparty parliamentary democractic system of government. Constitutional power is jointly held between the president and the parliament.

The parliament consists of two houses, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The National Assembly is comprised of 400 members who are directly elected for a term of five years. The National Council of Provinces is made up of 90 statutory members. Of the 90 members, 54 are appointed by political parties in provincial legislatures and the remaining 36 are special delegates representing provincial legislatures.

The president is the head of state. The president's responsibility includes assigning cabinet portfolios and approving bills and he is also the commander in chief of the military. The president performs his duty by working closely with the deputy president and the cabinet.

Jacob Zuma, the leader of the African National Congress, was officially chosen as the President by the newly elected parliament in May 2009.

Major political parties in the country are as follows:

• African National Congress
• Democratic Alliance
• Congress of the People
•  Inkatha Freedom Party
•  Independent Democrats
• United Democratic Movement
• African Christian Democratic Party
• United Christian Democratic Party
•  Pan Africanist Congress
• Minority Front
• Azanian People's Organisation
•  African People's Convention
•  South African Communist Party

(Source: IPU, BBC, southafrica.info)

Regulatory Environment in South Africa

(Source:heritage.org)

South Africa’s economic freedom score is 62.7, making its economy the 74^th in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom. South Africa ranks fifth out of 46 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. South Africa’s overall score is higher than the global and regional averages.

Corruption perception

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a survey to measure the perceived level of corruption across countries worldwide. South Africa is ranked 54^th on this list, indicating that corruption levels in public departments in the country is fairly low, especially compared to neighbouring nations such as Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.

South Africa’s CPI ranking has improved since 2009, when it was ranked 55^th with a score of 4.6, which indicates the perceived levels of corruption have decreased slightly in the country.

(Source:transparency.org)

Freedom of information

The country’s constitution provides freedom to the press. Laws, regulation and political control over media are considered to be moderate.

(Source: BBC)

World Press Freedom Index 2010 ranks South Africa at 38^th with a score of 12.00.

(Source: rsf.org)

Newspapers

Major newspapers in the country include

• The Star
• The Sowetan
• Daily Sun
• Beeld
•  Mail & Guardian
• Business Day
•  Financial Mail
• Sunday Times/The Times

(Source: BBC)

Judicial system

The judiciary is an independent arm of the central government. The country’s constitution assures fair trial to all citizens.

Different judicial courts in South Africa are:

• Constitutional Court
• Supreme Court of Appeal
• High courts
• Circuit local divisions
• Other high courts
• Regional courts
• Magistrates' courts
• Criminal jurisdiction
• Other criminal courts
• Community courts
• Courts for income tax offenders
• Family courts
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) developments
• Mediation in maintenance matters
• Domestic violence
• Sexual offences courts
• Equality courts
• Civil jurisdiction
• Small claims courts
• Other civil courts

The Constitutional Court is the highest judicial authority. It makes the final decision on whether an act of parliament or a provincial act is legal. The constitutional court is comprised of the chief justice of South Africa, the deputy chief justice and nine constitutional court judges. 

The Supreme Court of Appeal and High Courts along with the constitutional court have the authority to safeguard and control their own processes. The Supreme Court of Appeal is located in Bloemfontein, and is the highest court in respect of all matters other than constitutional. Furthermore, high courts take action in issues where lower courts are not competent to make a proper judgment.

(Source:southafrica.info, info.gov.za)

The total population of South Africa by the mid of year 2010 was estimated to be 49.99 million, increasing at a rate of about 1.36% over the previous year. In the period 2005-2010, the country’s population grew at an average rate of 1%

(Source: National Statistics, UN)

Representation of the gender in the country is almost equal. In the year 2009, females accounted for 51.3% of the total population.

(Source: worldbank.org)

(Source: worldbank.org)

About 31% of the total population is aged 14 years and below and 7.6% of the total population are above 60 years of age.

(Source: National Statistics)

The average life expectancy in South Africa for males is 53.3 years and for females it is 55.2 years (2009).

The mortality rate of infants (per 1,000 live births) was registered at 47 in the year 2010. The crude death rate of country till mid 2010 was 13.9%, higher than previous year’s death rate of 13.6%.

(Source: National Statistics)

(Source: National Statistics)

The number births as well as death decreased constantly over the years in the country. In the year 2010, total number of births was 1,066,401 which is 1.14% lower than year 2009. While the number of deaths increased from 637,301 in 2009 to 654,360 in 2010 by 2.67%. But the number of deaths is lower than the year 2005 (661,664 deaths) by 1.10%.

(Source: National Statistics)

Migration and Urbanisation

International migrant stock till mid 2010 was recorded at 1.86 million people. This was approximately 3.7% of the entire population.

(Source: UN)

Urban population in the country grew at an annual rate of 1.4% in the period 2005-2010. For the same period, the rural population witnessed a negative growth of 0.7%. About 60% of the total population lives in urban areas.

(Source: UN)

Ethnic Environment

Ethnic groups in South Africa include:

• Africans
• White
• Coloured
•  Indian / Asian

About 80% of the population are Christians. Other religions followed in the country include Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.

(Source: SouthAfrica.info)

Human Development Index

The country ranks 110^th out of 182 countries on the Human Development index 2010 conducted by the United Nations. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and gross enrolment in education) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income). 

(Source: UNDP)

Government Stability

Qatar is a sovereign and independent Arab state with Democracy as basis for the system of government. It uses all its resources to defend from any act of aggression. As an initial step towards democracy, women were allowed both to vote and run as candidates for participation in decision making in the country.

(Source: qatarembassy)

Regulatory Environment

The state of Qatar is ruled by the Emir. The power of ruling is hereditary within the Al-Thani family. The power is transferred from father to son in the family. In the absence of a son, the power is transferred to the person whom the Emir chooses.

The country’s economic freedom score is 70.5, making it the 27^th freest economy in the 2011 Index. The country is positioned higher than in 2010, when it was ranked 39^th with a score of 69. Qatar is ranked 2nd out of 17 countries in the Middle East/North Africa region.

(Source: heritage.org)

Corruption perception

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) table shows a country's ranking and score by various number of surveys which is used to determine the score and confidence range of the scoring. Qatar is ranked 19^th in the CPI, indicating moderate corruption levels. The corruption level is low compared to its neighbouring country Saudi Arabia which ranks 50^th in the CPI.

The country’s ranking improved from 2008, when it was positioned 22^nd with a score of 7.0, indicating a decline in corruption levels.

(Source: transparency.org)

Freedom of information

The local press was regulated under censorship until 1995.  Later, the censorship was removed as per instructions of the Emir of the State of Qatar.

World Press Freedom Index 2010 ranks Qatar at 121^st rank with a score of 38.00 which indicates that media in Qatar is restricted.

(Source: rsf.org)

The major newspapers in Qatar include:

• Al-Raya
• Al-Sharq
• Al-Watan
• Al-Arab
• Gulf Times
• The Peninsula
• Qatar Tribune

 (Source: mofa.gov.qa)

Judicial System

Qatar earlier had a two court system including;

• The civil, commercial and criminal system
• The Sharia courts

The Sharia courts functioned as per Islamic laws.

In 2004, the two court system was unified into a single court system.

The Courts of law are divided into the following categories:

• Court of Cassation has chambers responsible for deciding on cases of objection for cassation on rulings and proceedings of the law.
• Court of Appeal decides on appeals filed against the sentences issued on criminal, punishments, doctrinal provisions, civil and commercial cases, personal affairs, administrative disputes, inheritance and other cases.
• Preliminary Court has chambers which decide on doctrinal provisions, criminal, personal affairs, punishments, inheritance, civil and commercial, administrative disputes and other cases.

The courts decide on the cases referred to it as per the provisions in law.

The Judiciary Supreme Council: The Judiciary Supreme Council ensures the independence of the judiciary. It is responsible for various functions including:

• Giving opinion on issues related to the judiciary, studying and proposing legislations to develop the judicial system
• Giving its opinion on the appointment, transference, promotion, secondment and retirement of judges
• Deciding on grievances related to judge’s affairs

The Judges are independent and are not subject to removal from office other than specified by the law. Independence of the judiciary is inviolable and interference from other authorities is protected by law.

(Source: mofa.gov.qa)

Mass public transit

About 80% of South Africans depend on public transport. The country has a well developed transport infrastructure. The air and rail networks in the country are considered as the largest in the African continent. Transport in the country is been seen a significant factor for economic growth and social development.

(Source: southafrica.info)

Ports

The country's ports provide a stop for countries shipping to and from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australasia and both coasts of Africa.

Major ports in South Africa are, Port of Cape Town, Port of Durban, Port of East London, Port of Mossel Bay, Port of Ngqura, Port of Port Elizabeth, Port of Port Nolloth, Port of Richards Bay, Port of Saldanha and the Naval Base Simon’s Town.

(Source:world port source)

Airports

The country has a well developed airport infrastructure. The major airports in the country are Johannesburg, and Cape Town. There are about 195 big and small airports. Some of the major airports in the country are listed below.

(Source: Air charter world)

Telecommunications networks

In 2009, 5.3 million people, or 10.8% of the total population, used internet services. In 2008, 10.5% of the population used internet.

(Source:internetworldstats.com, National Statistics)