Safest cities in Qatar
2 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in QatarTerrorist attacks in Qatar cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Events in the region, including political developments, have an impact on local public opinion. Be aware of local sensitivities on these issues. Follow news reports and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. There is the potential for increased tension on Fridays.
Crime
- Sexual assaultFemale visitors and residents should take care when walking or travelling alone, particularly at night. Always use pre-booked taxis from reputable taxi companies or recognised taxi apps. Check the registration number and confirm that the driver has your name. Let someone know you are on the way and give them the registration details of the car.
Laws and cultural differences
- ReligionReligion is a sensitive topic in Qatar, approach any discussions with care. You could face imprisonment for defaming, desecrating, or committing blasphemy against Islam, Christianity or Judaism. Public worship and proselytising by non-Islamic faiths is illegal and can result in deportation or imprisonment.
- Personal IDYou must always carry your passport as an official form of identification. A copy is usually acceptable, but in some situations you may have to produce the original at a police station within a specified time limit.
- Dress codeDress modestly in public, including while driving:
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates change every year. Ramadan in Qatar in 2026 will likely start on 17 February and will last approximately 30 days. During this time, do not:
- Alcohol laws and bansOnly licensed hotels, restaurants and bars can sell alcohol. Expatriates living in Qatar can get alcohol on a permit system. Don’t carry alcohol around with you (except to take it on the day of collection from the warehouse to your home). The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21. Places serving alcohol will ask for original photo IDs (copies are not…
- Relationships outside marriageAny intimacy in public, between any couples (including between teenagers), can lead to arrest.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Qatar. See our information and advice page for the LGBT+ community before you travel.
- ProtestsOrganisers of protests need to get permission from the Ministry of Interior. This must be done in advance and cannot be spontaneous.
- Swearing and rude gesturesSwearing and making rude gestures are considered obscene acts. You can be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with police and other officials.
- Smoking and e-cigarette bansSmoking is prohibited in all closed public spaces including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, public transport, malls, restaurants and government buildings.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesThere is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences in Qatar. Some medications that are legal in other countries are illegal in Qatar. See guidance on medications that you can bring into Qatar.
- Using cameras, binoculars and dronesBe aware of cultural sensitivities when filming or photographing. Taking pictures and sharing any visual imagery of people without their consent can lead to imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 Qatari riyals.
- Journalistic activityJournalists must get permission from the Qatar News Agency (QNA) to film or photograph as part of their work and enter the country on a visiting press permit. Even with permission to film or photograph, you cannot capture or share imagery of individuals without their consent. This permit allows you to take technical equipment like cameras through…
- Social mediaThere are strict privacy laws in Qatar. See the guidelines for using cameras and binoculars. Posting messages, videos or photos that appear to insult or slander people, or are culturally insensitive, may be considered a crime. Individuals have been detained, prosecuted and convicted for posting this type of material.
- Financial crimesFinancial crimes include:
Transport risks
- Driving regulationsThe driver and front seat passenger must wear their seat belts at all times. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving - you could be fined 500 Qatari riyals.
- Road safetyRoad discipline is very poor; speeds are high and accidents are common. A driver flashing their lights can mean they are coming through rather than giving way.
- Desert drivesExcursions to the desert can be hazardous unless in a properly-equipped 4x4 vehicle. You should:
- Sea travelTake care when travelling by dhow. The safety of these vessels may not be up to UK standards. Make sure life jackets are available.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Qatar, updated 2026-08-19 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.07 /100k2022
- Income inequality
- Gini 35.12017
- Human development
- HDI 0.8862023
- Income
- $126,290/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 7.3 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 82/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 67/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 58/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 1.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.72GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 107.8 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 95%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.0 doctors /1k1.3 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 5.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Qatar, with the death penalty applying in law (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Qatar compares
| Measure | Qatar | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.1 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −2.3 /100k — better for Qatar |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 35.1 | 35.2 | −0.1 — better for Qatar |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.886 | 0.763 | +0.123 — better for Qatar |
| Road deaths | 7.3 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −8.1 /100k — better for Qatar |
| Rule of law | 67/100 | 52/100 | +15/100 — better for Qatar |
| Corruption perceptions | 58/100 | 39/100 | +19/100 — better for Qatar |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 107.8 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +88.1 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.5/10 | 3.8/10 | −2.3/10 — better for Qatar |
| Measure | Qatar | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.1 /100k | 1.8 /100k | −1.7 /100k — better for Qatar |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 35.1 | 33.4 | +1.7 — better for Asia median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.886 | 0.766 | +0.120 — better for Qatar |
| Road deaths | 7.3 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −8.0 /100k — better for Qatar |
| Rule of law | 67/100 | 52/100 | +15/100 — better for Qatar |
| Corruption perceptions | 58/100 | 35/100 | +24/100 — better for Qatar |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 107.8 µg/m³ | 26.7 µg/m³ | +81.1 µg/m³ — better for Asia median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.5/10 | 3.7/10 | −2.2/10 — better for Qatar |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.