Authority of Census was established by virtue of an Emiri decree (2007). It has a legal personality and a budget annexed to the budget of the Ministerial Council. It aims at setting up a statistical system for the country and laying down the programs and plans necessary for the carrying out, organizing and supervising the official statistical operations. It is considered the official source for all statistical data and operations in the country. It is competent to perform the following duties:
1. Performing statistical operations related to economy, demography, society, environment, labor force, etc. and publishing the results in different modes for users at specific times.
2. Setting up programs and activities necessary for performing counting, surveying, studies and statistical researches and defining their priorities in accordance with the adopted statistical policies.
3. Designing and implementing the technical system for storing data and statistical information.
4. Collecting, classifying, storing, keeping and analyzing statistical information and publishing the results of statistical operations.
5. Issuing annual and periodical statistical reports illustrated by graphical charts whenever the need arises in coordination with the competent parties.
6. Preparing forms, tables, samples and all the requirements of statistical operations.
7. Carrying out recommendations and preparing economic and social categorizations in accordance with the approaches, concepts and terminology applied worldwide.
8. Endorsing the information that can be circulated taking into account security of information.
9. Unifying statistical standards and concepts.
10. Following up developments in statistical fields and applying the latest statistical approaches and methods.
11. Connecting qualitative and quantitative statistical operations to the national comprehensive developmental vision in coordination with the competent parties.
12. Coordinating with the parties in charge of formulating visions and strategic planning of comprehensive development utilizing the results of statistical operations.
13. Coordination with regional and international organizations and providing them with the needed data and information in coordination with the competent authorities.

The Authority consists of the following administrative units:

- Administration of Population and Social Statistics:
It is in charge of conducting population studies and social development, analyzing, collecting and keeping information in addition to the preparation of population and social and national indicators of sustainable development, and other indicators of international reports. It is also in charge of preparing statistical indicators in the aspects of population, employment, education, culture, income and expenditure and household indebtedness , health, gender, justice and other social and environmental statistics. It also conducts research, analysis, studies, press releases and analytical studies and undertakes wide dissemination of the outcome of demographic and social data in coordination with relevant government agencies to ensure the integration of all the statistical inputs.

- Administration of Censuses, Household Surveys and Statistical Methods:
This administration is in charge of designing and implementing procedures and methods of statistical censuses and surveys, including population and houses, enterprises and household surveys and sample design. It undertakes to develop sample frames and details and methods of assessment in addition to monitoring and evaluation of errors resulting from sampling, and quality control of statistical and descriptive analysis and statistical inference containing the assessment. It also undertakes to design questionnaires and output tables and prepare national classifications based on international classifications and develop sampling frames and methodologies for data cleansing and methods of tabulating in addition to developing evidence and methods of field and office work.

- Administration of Economic Statistics and National Accounts:
This administration is in charge of developing and updating records of institutions, conducting surveys of economic establishments, preparing national counts and statistics in the government sector and the financial sector in addition to preparing standard indices of prices and other indicators. It is likewise competent to carry out economic analysis, research, prepare reports and disseminate data products in coordination with the Department of Data Dissemination and governmental organizations to ensure the integration of all the statistics required for the preparation of national accounts, and create a comprehensive vision of the sector statistics in addition to preparing accurate statistical data that meet demands of users.

- Administration of Information Technology:
It is responsible for electronic connectivity with databases of other bodies producing different statistics (administrative records) and the application of unified standards for classifications and definitions and the application of international statistical data collection system using electronic devices specially programmed to collect data and provide electronic forms through the website of the Bureau of Statistics to make it easier for individuals and institutions to respond to them directly. It is also in charge of storing data in its database system and preparing regulatory applications systems and developing software systems and databases for data entry of various surveys and censuses in addition to processing and producing reports, as well as development of databases related to dissemination and provision of programs and specialized tools in the analysis of statistical data and setting rules for verifying them to ensure their accuracy and high quality. It works likewise to upgrade and treat general frameworks of surveys in regard to selecting and distributing samples and analyzing statistics based on geographical distribution using geographical data techniques and observing confidentiality of statistical data and securing personal information of individuals and institutions and archiving them and keeping it electronically as well as publishing all statistical data on the website of the Authority of Census and updating them continually. It also undertakes to issue electronic releases of the results of various censuses and surveys. The Authority is also in charge of designing the operational and the network structure, maintaining and updating it continually in addition to operating computer adequately and securing the stored data and conducting periodical backup copying and ensuring efficient operation of the internet and intranet and the communication system and maintaining it.

- Administration of Joint Services:
It specializes in the implementation of laws, regulations and financial and administrative bills related to work at the Authority and providing it with the supplies, equipment and services necessary for executing its duties. It is also in charge of all legal affairs and defining training needs of the employees and executing training programs and evaluating their efficiency. The administration is also in charge of purchases, tenders and auctions in accordance with the enforced laws in the country in addition to supervising the implementation of accreditations, auditing revenues and expenses, drafting the annual budget and final accounts of the Authority in coordination with the competent administrations. It is also in charge of personnel affairs, archiving, preparing expenditure statements and other financial transactions as well as providing administrative services and overseeing the stores of the Authority.

The Head of the Authority represents it in court and in its relations with others. The head of the authority is appointed by virtue of an Emiri decree and given all the authorities and competences necessary to run the affairs of the Authority and meet its goals. The Authority also has an executive chairman appointed by an Emiri decree.

Revenues of the Authority come from:
1. Funds and accreditations appropriated to it by the government.
2. Other resources accredited by the Ministerial Council based on the request of the Authority.

Authority of Census implements general population counting every ten years. Hence, preparations are being made to implement general counting of people, houses and facilities in April 2010. the government has provided all material and technical capabilities necessary for planning and implementing this huge national project which is marked by new features this round. The importance of the general count stems from the fact that it gives a complete picture of the society within a limited time despite many constant variables.
The general count of population and residences is considered to be one major census processes and the main stream that enhances the four pillars of Qatar's vision for the year 2030, namely, human, social, economic and environmental development due to the fact that the outcome of this operation as of information and data will be the foundation upon which development policies and plans are based and strategic plans are formulated for different sectors with view to realize the ambitious vision. Count will start on April 20, 2010 and will comprise all residents in Qatar whether in families, labor camps, institutions, hotels, ports and the country's entry points in addition to Qataris abroad. Information will be gathered regarding families, buildings and facilities and count will comprise Qataris and non-Qataris and it will be carried out by a staff of 2600 employees. To this end, an administrative division of the country has been prepared to define areas of count to facilitate the counting process on the State's level containing maps and information that define the boundaries of squares, areas, municipalities and names of geographical areas in the country.

Permanent Population Committee
The Permanent Population Committee was set up by virtue of ministerial decision no. (24) of 2004 pursuant to the general framework of the population strategy of the Cooperation Council for Gulf Arab states adopted by the Supreme Council at its nineteenth session, held in Abu Dhabi in 1998, which necessitated that each country of the Council should form a High Commission for Population concerned with the preparation of national population policies as a national body working to balance the requirements of population and sustainable development, based on the principles of Islamic law and values of society, the Constitution and the political orientation of the state and the national vision, consistent with the Millennium Development Goals in the State of Qatar and the population strategy of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf states and regional and international standards.
The Permanent Committee of Population aims to develop a demographic policy designed to improve life quality of the population of the State of Qatar, both citizens and residents and follow up its implementation in cooperation with government and private agencies concerned with population issues. It also works to follow up the rapid developments of the demographic situation in the state through conducting theoretical and field studies and researches dealing with social issues affecting the situation and affected by it. In addition, it seeks to develop the demographic policy of the State of Qatar and follow up its implementation, revise and upgrade it in the light of the practical application and recommendations of the parties in charge of its implementation. It is likewise in charge of developing an institutional framework aiming at coordination between ministries and government agencies and non-governmental organizations, regional, Arab and international organizations in issues related to demography and their programs in implementing the demographic policy. The committee also follows up actions aiming at integrating population issues in the comprehensive development plans, particularly those related to social, health, education, media, cultural and environmental development. It also conducts research and studies on population and assesses the social situation in the country with the greatest possible accuracy and objectivity in such a way that enhances population policies and programs.