History of Qatar in Timeline

Qatar is a country located on the Qatar Peninsula in West Asia, sharing a land border with Saudi Arabia and otherwise surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Its capital is Doha, where the majority of the population resides. The terrain is predominantly flat, low-lying desert. Qatar is separated from Bahrain by the Gulf of Bahrain.

1913: Anglo-Ottoman Convention

In 1913, the Anglo-Ottoman Convention stipulated that the Ottomans would renounce their claim to Qatar and withdraw their garrison from Doha.

1915: Withdrawal of Ottoman Garrison

In 1915, Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, with British support, persuaded the remaining Ottoman troops to abandon the fort in Doha, leading to its desertion.

November 1916: Qatar Becomes a British Protectorate

In November 1916, Qatar officially became a British protectorate through a treaty with Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, placing Qatar under the Trucial System of Administration.

1916: British Protectorate

In 1916, Qatar became a British protectorate following an agreement with the United Kingdom, reserving foreign affairs and defence to the UK while granting internal autonomy to Qatar.

May 1935: Treaty with the British Government

In May 1935, Abdullah signed a treaty with the British government, while agreeing an oil concession with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, granting Qatar protection against internal and external threats.

1939: Discovery of Oil Reserves

In 1939, oil reserves were first discovered in Qatar, although their exploitation and development were delayed by World War II.

1940: Oil discovered in Qatar

In 1940, oil was discovered in Qatar at Dukhan Field, which transformed the state's economy.

1940: Qatar's petroleum and natural gas industries began

Qatar's economic growth has been almost exclusively based on its petroleum and natural gas industries, which began in 1940.

1947: Independence of India and Creation of Pakistan

In 1947, the independence of India and the creation of Pakistan shifted the focus of British interests in Qatar.

1949: Strengthening of Anglo-Qatari Relations

In 1949, the appointment of the first British political officer in Doha, John Wilton, and the beginning of oil exports, signified a strengthening of Anglo-Qatari relations.

1961: Qatar joined OPEC

Qatar joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1961.

1968: Qatar Joins Talks for Federation

In 1968, after Britain announced its withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, Qatar joined talks with Bahrain and other Trucial States to create a federation, but later withdrew to become an independent state.

1970: First census was held

At the time of the first census, held in 1970, the population was 111,133.

1970: Introduction of the first short story anthology

In 1970, Qatar witnessed the introduction of its first short story anthology due to increasing formal education and societal changes.

1970: Qatar Football Association became affiliated with FIFA

Shortly after the Qatar Football Association became affiliated with FIFA in 1970.

1970: TV broadcasting was started

TV broadcasting was started in Qatar in 1970.

September 1971: Termination of Special Treaty Arrangements

In September 1971, Qatar's "special treaty arrangements" with the United Kingdom, which were "inconsistent with full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent state," were terminated.

1971: Independence

In 1971, Qatar gained independence after the termination of "special treaty arrangements" with the United Kingdom, achieving full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent state.

1973: Qatar University Founded

In 1973, Qatar University, the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education, was founded.

1981: Qatar national under-20 team's emerged as runners-up

In 1981, the Qatar national under-20 team emerged as runners-up to West Germany in that year's edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship.

1982: Qatar's economic downturn

Qatar's economy faced a downturn from 1982 to 1989 due to OPEC-imposed quotas on crude oil production and declining oil prices.

1988: Ninth edition of the AFC Asian Cup

Qatar has played host to the ninth edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 1988.

1989: Profits around QR420 million

The late 1980s saw improvements, with profits around QR420 million in 1989.

1991: Qatar's Role in the Gulf War

In 1991, Qatar played a significant role in the Gulf War, particularly in the Battle of Khafji, and allowed coalition troops to use the country as an airbase.

1991: Completion of Phase I of North Field gas development

In 1991, the economy was boosted by completion of the $1.5-billion Phase I of North Field gas development.

1993: First locally authored novels were published

In 1993, the first locally authored novels were published in Qatar.

1995: Emir Hamad Seizes Control

In 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani took control of Qatar from his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, with support from the armed forces and neighboring states.

1996: Al Jazeera initially launched

Al Jazeera initially launched in 1996 as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel.

1996: Qatar joined the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

In 1996, Qatar became part of the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity.

1996: Qatargas project began exporting LNG to Japan

In 1996, the Qatargas project began exporting liquefied natural gas to Japan.

1996: Launch of Al Jazeera

In 1996, under Emir Hamad, Qatar experienced a moderate degree of liberalization, including the launch of the Al Jazeera television station.

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March 1999: First elections in Qatar held

Qatar held its first-ever elections for a Central Municipal Council on March 8, 1999, which was International Women's Day. The country enfranchised women at the same time as men.

1999: Women's Suffrage Endorsed

In 1999, Qatar endorsed women's suffrage, granting women the right to vote in municipal elections.

1999: Qatar Cricket Association Becomes Member of ICC

Since 1999, the Qatar Cricket Association has been a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

2001: Population Triples

In 2001, Qatar's population began a period of rapid growth, which tripled between 2001 and 2011, mainly due to the influx of foreigners.

November 2002: Creation of The Supreme Education Council

In November 2002, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani created The Supreme Education Council to direct and control education from pre-school through university levels.

2002: FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea

In 2002, The FIFA World Cup held in Japan and South Korea.

2002: Qatar Hosts Annual Tour of Qatar

Since 2002, Qatar has hosted the annual Tour of Qatar, a cycling race in six stages.

2002: Doha Cultural Festival began

The Doha Cultural Festival, organized by the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, began in 2002 with the aim of promoting Qatari culture.

2003: Adoption of Constitution

In 2003, Qatar adopted a constitution providing for the direct election of 30 out of 45 members of the legislature.

2003: US Central Command Headquarters

In 2003, Qatar served as the United States Central Command headquarters and a primary launching site for the invasion of Iraq.

2004: Introduction of Anti-Terrorism Laws in 2004

Qatar introduced anti-terrorism laws in 2004 and updated them in subsequent years.

March 2005: Suicide Bombing at Doha Players Theatre

In March 2005, a suicide bombing at the Doha Players Theatre resulted in the death of a British teacher, marking a rare act of terrorism in Qatar.

2005: Drafting of First Written Constitution

In 2005, Qatar drafted its first written constitution, marking a step towards liberalization under Emir Hamad.

2005: Qatar Hosts 2005 FIBA Asia Championship

In 2005, Qatar hosted the FIBA Asia Championship.

2005: Qatar produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

In 2005, Qatar produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

2005: Establishment of Qatar Investment Authority

The Qatar Investment Authority, specializing in foreign investment, was established in 2005.

2006: Introduction of Codified Family Law

In 2006, Qatar introduced codified family law, which is influenced by Sharia law, particularly in areas like family matters, inheritance, and criminal acts.

2006: Mediation Between Palestinian Factions

In 2006, Qatar mediated between the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, showcasing its role as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts.

2006: Launch of Qatar National Research Fund

In 2006, the Qatar National Research Fund was launched as part of an initiative by the Qatar Foundation to secure public funds for scientific research.

2006: Physicians and nurses per 10,000 inhabitants

In 2006, there were 23.12 physicians and 61.81 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants in Qatar.

2006: Beds, doctors and nurses per 10,000 people in 2006

In 2006, there were 25 beds, 27.6 doctors, and 73.8 nurses per 10,000 people in Qatar.

2007: Latest Official Greenhouse Gas Emissions Details

As of 2024, the latest official greenhouse gas emissions details for Qatar are for 2007 emissions.

2008: Mediation in Lebanese Political Crisis

In 2008, Qatar facilitated the formation of a political agreement among Lebanese leaders during a crisis, highlighting its role as a mediator.

2008: Inauguration of a Roman Catholic Church

In 2008, Qatar inaugurated a Roman Catholic church, reflecting a moderate degree of liberalization under Emir Hamad.

2008: Qatar launches its National Vision 2030

In 2008, Qatar launched its National Vision 2030, emphasizing environmental development as a key goal for the next two decades and pledging to develop sustainable energy alternatives to preserve the environment.

2008: Qatar's Military Spending in 2008

In 2008, Qatar's military expenditure was US$2.6 billion, which was 2% of the country's GDP.

2008: Christians allowed to build churches

Since 2008, Christians in Qatar have been allowed to build churches on ground donated by the government.

2008: Doha Hosts WTA Tour Championships

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha hosted the WTA Tour Championships in women's tennis starting in 2008.

2008: Museum of Islamic Art opened

The Museum of Islamic Art opened in 2008 and is regarded as one of the best museums in the region.

March 2009: Establishment of Qatar Science & Technology Park

In March 2009, the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) was established by the Qatar Foundation to help the country transition to a knowledge economy.

2009: Qatar Establishes Qatar Science & Technology Park

In 2009, Qatar established the Qatar Science & Technology Park in Education City to link universities with industry.

2009: Qatar Holding began receiving funds from the state

Since 2009, Qatar Holding has received $30–40bn per year from the state.

December 2, 2010: Qatar Wins Right to Host 2022 FIFA World Cup

On December 2, 2010, Qatar won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to be selected for the event.

December 2010: Qatar Wins Bid to Host 2022 FIFA World Cup

In December 2010, Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time a Middle Eastern country would host the tournament, sparking both enthusiasm and controversy.

2010: Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world from 2010 to 2014.

2010: Construction of Hamad Port began

Construction of Hamad Port, Qatar's main seaport south of Doha, began in 2010.

2010: Launch of Al-Bairaq Program

In 2010, Qatar launched the Al-Bairaq program, which provides high school students with a research environment in the Center for Advanced Materials at Qatar University.

2010: Religious demographics

In 2010, Qatar's population was 67.7% Muslim, 13.8% Christian, 13.8% Hindu, and 3.1% Buddhist; other religions and religiously unaffiliated people accounted for the remaining 1.6%.

2010: Increase in healthcare spending

In 2010, healthcare spending rose by $2.1 billion.

2010: Healthcare spending accounted for 2.2% of GDP

In 2010, spending on healthcare in Qatar accounted for 2.2% of the country's GDP, the highest in the Middle East.

2010: Exhibitions by Takahashi Murakami in Versailles

In 2010, the Qatar Museums Authority sponsored exhibitions by Takahashi Murakami in Versailles.

2010: Qatar overtook Luxembourg as richest country

Qatar first overtook Luxembourg as richest country in 2010.

2010: Successful World Cup bid

Since the successful World Cup bid of 2010, $220 billion has been spent on infrastructure, boosting the tourism industry.

2010: Population recorded at 1,699,435

The 2010 census recorded Qatar's population at 1,699,435.

2010: Doha Hosts WTA Tour Championships

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha hosted the WTA Tour Championships in women's tennis until 2010.

2011: Population Growth

By 2011, Qatar's population had tripled since 2001, primarily due to the influx of foreign workers.

2011: Qatar deployed fighter jets to Libya

During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, Qatar deployed six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to support the NATO air campaign against the Libyan government and provided training to Libyan rebels.

2011: Qatar started expanding its armed forces after the Arab spring events

Following the Arab Spring events in 2011 and a diplomatic incident in 2014, Qatar began to expand its armed forces.

2011: Airline of the Year in 2011

HIA won Airline of the Year in 2011.

2011: Involvement in Libya and Syria

In 2011, Qatar joined NATO operations in Libya and supported rebel groups with funding and weapons in the Syrian civil war.

2011: Increased Tensions with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain

In 2011, Qatar's increased influence and role during the Arab Spring, particularly during the Bahraini uprising, heightened existing tensions with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.

2011: Beds and doctors per 10,000 people in 2011

In 2011, the number of beds decreased to 12 per 10,000 people, while the number of doctors increased to 28 per 10,000 people in Qatar.

2011: Fifteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup

Qatar has played host to the fifteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.

May 2012: Qatar to allow independent trade unions

In May 2012, Qatari officials announced their intention to permit the establishment of an independent trade union.

2012: Airline of the Year in 2012

HIA won Airline of the Year in 2012.

2012: Qatar retained title of richest country

In 2012, Qatar retained its title of richest country in the world (according to per capita income) for the third time in a row. The per capita GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) was $106,000.

2012: Qatar Ranked Low in PISA Test

In 2012, Qatar was ranked third from the bottom of the 65 OECD countries participating in the PISA test.

2012: Qatar's energy sector investment

In 2012, it was estimated that Qatar would invest over $120 billion in the energy sector in the next 10 years.

2012: Exhibitions by Damien Hirst in London

In 2012, the Qatar Museums Authority sponsored exhibitions by Damien Hirst in London.

2012: Illiteracy Rate in Qatar in 2012

In 2012, the illiteracy rate in Qatar was 3.1% for males and 4.2% for females, the lowest in the Arab-speaking world.

2012: QIA ranked 12th richest sovereign wealth fund

In 2012, with assets of $115bn, QIA was ranked 12th among the richest sovereign wealth funds in the world.

January 2013: Population estimated at 1,903,447

In January 2013, the Qatar Statistics Authority estimated the population at 1,903,447, with a significant gender imbalance due to the influx of male laborers.

June 2013: Sheikh Tamim Becomes Emir of Qatar

In June 2013, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani succeeded his father as the Emir of Qatar, prioritizing domestic welfare improvements and infrastructure development.

June 2013: Unemployment rate in Qatar

In June 2013, the unemployment rate in Qatar was 0.1%.

2013: Qatar Hosts 2013 FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship

In 2013, Qatar hosted the FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship.

2013: Qatar Introduced Conscription in 2013

In 2013, Qatar introduced conscription, making it mandatory for Qatari male citizens to serve for up to 4 months. It was the first Gulf state to do so in recent years.

2013: Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the 2013 NRI ranking

Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the 2013 World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI).

May 2014: DLA Piper released recommendations for reforming the kafala system

In May 2014, DLA Piper released more than 60 recommendations for reforming the kafala system including the abolition of exit visas and the introduction of a minimum wage, which Qatar pledged to implement.

May 2014: Bribery Accusations Against Qatari Official

In May 2014, Qatari football official Mohammed bin Hammam was accused of making payments totalling £3 million to officials in exchange for their support of the Qatar bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

November 2014: FIFA Inquiry Clears Qatar of Wrongdoing

In November 2014, a FIFA inquiry into the bidding process cleared Qatar of any wrongdoing regarding its successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

2014: Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world from 2010 to 2014.

2014: Qatar Holding investments in 2014

As of 2014, Qatar Holding had investments around the world in Valentino, Siemens, Printemps, Harrods, The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Volkswagen Group, Royal Dutch Shell, Bank of America, Tiffany, Agricultural Bank of China, Sainsbury's, BlackBerry, and Santander Brasil.

2014: Qatar started expanding its armed forces after diplomatic incident

Following the Arab Spring events in 2011 and a diplomatic incident with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in 2014, Qatar began to expand its armed forces.

2014: Qatar Hosts 2014 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship

In 2014, Qatar hosted the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship.

2014: $4.7 billion invested in healthcare

In 2014, Qatar invested $4.7 billion in healthcare.

2014: Modesty Campaign Launched

In 2014, Qatar launched a modesty campaign to remind tourists of the country's restrictive dress code, advising against wearing revealing clothing in public.

2014: Cybercrime Prevention Law was passed

In 2014, Qatar passed a Cybercrime Prevention Law, which is said to restrict press freedom and carries prison sentences and fines for broad reasons.

2014: Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the 2014 NRI ranking

In 2014, Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI), unchanged from 2013.

2014: Qatar Wins World Championship in Men's 3x3 Basketball

In 2014, Qatar won the world championship in men's 3x3 basketball.

2014: The Guardian Reports on Migrant Worker Abuse

In 2014, The Guardian reported on the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers constructing infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup, including unpaid wages and poor living conditions, with a high death rate among Nepalese migrants.

2014: US Officials Claimed Qatar Failed to Act Against Blacklisted Individuals

In 2014, U.S. officials, including David S. Cohen, claimed that Qatar had failed to take action against blacklisted individuals living freely in the country.

2014: Life expectancy at birth was 82.08 years

In 2014, the life expectancy at birth in Qatar was 82.08 years, making it the highest in the Middle East.

2014: Media was classified as "not free"

Qatar's media was classified as "not free" in the 2014 Freedom of the Press report by Freedom House.

September 2015: Qatar sent troops to Yemen

In September 2015, Qatar sent 1,000 troops, 200 armored vehicles, and 30 Apache helicopters to assist with Saudi military operations during the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war.

2015: Airline of the Year in 2015

HIA won Airline of the Year in 2015.

2015: Qatar was the 16th largest arms importer in the world

In 2015, Qatar ranked as the 16th largest arms importer globally, according to SIPRI.

2015: Qatar National Parachute Team Performs at World Handball Championship

In 2015, the Qatar National Parachute team performed at the 2015 World Handball Championship.

2015: Qatar National Handball Team Runners-Up

In 2015, the Qatar national handball team emerged as runners-up to France in the World Men's Handball Championship, which was hosted in Qatar.

December 2016: Hamad Port became operational

Hamad Port became operational in December 2016.

2016: Qatar's GDP per capita

As of 2016, Qatar had the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.

2016: Qatar's proven oil reserves in 2016

As of 2016, Qatar's proven oil reserves were estimated at 25.2 billion barrels, positioning it as the 13th largest globally.

2016: Qatar faced deficit and job cuts

In 2016, Qatar saw job cuts in its petroleum companies and other sectors in the government due to the fall in oil prices and a deficit the country faced.

2016: Qatar was the 11th largest arms importer in the world

In 2016, Qatar was the 11th largest arms importer in the world, according to SIPRI.

2016: Laws reformed to mandate payment of worker's wages on time

In 2016, laws were reformed in Qatar to mandate that companies that fail to pay workers' wages on time could temporarily lose their ability to hire more employees. Human Rights Watch claimed that the changes might fail to address some labour rights issues.

June 2017: Qatar withdrew its forces from Yemen

As a result of the diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia that began in June 2017, Qatar withdrew its forces from Yemen.

June 2017: Diplomatic Crisis with Several Arab Nations

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and Yemen severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

2017: Qatar Diplomatic Crisis

Concerns of Qatar allowing terror financiers to operate within its borders contributed to the Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021.

2017: Airline of the Year in 2017

HIA won Airline of the Year in 2017.

2017: QSTec commissioned its polysillicon plant in Ras Laffan

In 2017, Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) commissioned its polysilicon plant in Ras Laffan, with a capacity of 1.1 MW of solar power.

2017: 2.3 million international tourists visited Qatar

In 2017, Qatar saw more than 2.3 million international tourists, according to World Tourism rankings.

2017: South Asians represent over 1.5 million people in Qatar

In 2017, South Asians represented over 1.5 million people (60%) in Qatar, with Indians being the largest community (650,000), followed by Nepalese (350,000), Bangladeshis (280,000), Sri Lankans (145,000), and Pakistanis (125,000).

2017: Population Statistics

In early 2017, Qatar's population reached 2.6 million, with a significant expatriate and migrant worker population of 2.3 million, while Qatari citizens numbered only 313,000.

2017: Population was 2.6 million in early 2017

In early 2017, Qatar's population was 2.6 million, with foreigners making up a vast majority (2.3 million) and Qatari citizens numbering 313,000 (12%).

2017: Qatar purchased large quantities of equipment from European countries and the US

Since 2017, Qatar has purchased large quantities of equipment from European countries and the United States, making its air force one of the largest among the Gulf states.

2018: National service term was extended to one year

In 2018, Qatar extended the national service term to one year.

January 2019: Qatar left OPEC

Qatar left the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in January 2019.

December 2019: Qatar World Cup Officials Approach Glastonbury and Coachella Organizers

In December 2019, Qatari World Cup officials approached organizers of the Glastonbury Festival in England and the Coachella Festival in the United States to plan desert campsites for football fans.

2019: Qatar national football team won the AFC Asian Cup

For the first time in the country's history, the Qatar national football team won the AFC Asian Cup in the 2019 edition hosted in the United Arab Emirates, beating Japan 3–1 in the final.

2019: Airline of the Year in 2019

HIA won Airline of the Year in 2019.

2019: Qatar Ranked 65th in Global Innovation Index

In 2019, Qatar was ranked 65th in the Global Innovation Index.

2019: Qatar was put in the top eight in market climate in the Middle East

In 2019, Qatar was ranked in the top eight in market climate in the Middle East by the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Survey of the World Economic Forum.

October 2020: Qatari authorities strip-searched Australian women

In October 2020, Qatari authorities at Hamad International Airport strip-searched 13 Australian women on a plane following the discovery of a premature baby in a bathroom, causing an international incident with Australia.

2020: Qatar expected to earn 11 billion and 900 million dollars from attracting foreign travelers

By examining the statistics of recent years and upcoming events, it has been predicted that by 2020, Qatar will earn 11 billion and 900 million dollars from attracting foreign travelers.

January 2021: End of Diplomatic Crisis

In January 2021, the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and several Arab nations concluded with the signing of the AlUla declaration.

February 2021: The Guardian Reports Migrant Worker Deaths

According to a February 2021 article in The Guardian, approximately 6,500 migrant construction workers had died in Qatar.

October 2021: First Consultative Assembly Elections

In October 2021, Qatar held its first elections for the Consultative Assembly, which is composed of 30 popularly-elected members and 15 appointed members.

2021: Minimum wage instituted in 2021

A minimum wage was instituted in Qatar in 2021.

2021: Qatar Diplomatic Crisis

Concerns of Qatar allowing terror financiers to operate within its borders contributed to the Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021.

2021: Increase in Hotel Rooms in Qatar by End of 2021

Construction work in Qatar was expected to increase the available hotel rooms from 37,000 to 70,000 by the end of 2021 in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

2021: Strong recovery in the tourism sector

In 2021, The tourism sector continues to witness a strong recovery

2021: Minimum wage for workers set in 2021

Qatar set a minimum wage for workers in 2021.

2022: Qatar's Military Spending in 2022

As of 2022, Qatar's military spending increased to US$7.49 billion.

2022: HIA launched a new terminal, hotel, and the ORCHARD tropical garden

In 2022, HIA launched the first phase of expansions, which introduced a new terminal, hotel, and the ORCHARD tropical garden.

2022: Qatar Hosts 2022 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship

In 2022, Qatar hosted the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship.

2022: Qatar Hosts FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, marking the first time the tournament was held in an Arab and Muslim-majority country.

2022: Alcohol Restrictions at FIFA World Cup

In 2022, despite initial indications of allowing alcohol in "fan zones" at the FIFA World Cup, Qatari officials announced that alcoholic beverages would not be permitted within the stadiums two days before the games began.

2022: 729,000 international visitors in the first half of the year

In the first half of 2022, Qatar saw more than 729,000 international visitors, marking a 19% increase compared to the full year of 2021.

2022: Qatar Estimated to Host 2022 FIFA World Cup Fanbase

Qatar was estimated to host a football fanbase of 1.6 million for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and two cruise ships were reserved as temporary floating accommodations for nearly 40,000 people during the tournament.

2022: Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States

Since 2022, Qatar has been designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, reflecting its international profile and active role in international affairs.

September 2023: Qatar mediated US-Iran prisoners swap deal

In September 2023, Qatar played a pivotal role in mediating a prisoner swap deal between the US and Iran. This involved Iran releasing five Americans in exchange for five Iranians held in the US, along with the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar.

October 2023: Joe Biden thanked Qatar for Iran prisoner swap deal

In October 2023, United States President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for Qatar's crucial assistance in mediating a landmark prisoner swap deal with Iran.

2023: Democracy Indices Ranking

According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Qatar is the second least electoral democratic country in the Middle East as of 2023.

2023: Mediation Role in Israel-Hamas War

In 2023, Qatar played a major role in establishing the first ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the concurrent initial hostage exchange.

2023: Eighteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup

Qatar has played host to the eighteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2023 and successfully retained their title.

September 24, 2024: Qatar joins U.S. Visa Waiver Program

On September 24, 2024, Qatar became the first Gulf country to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), enabling Qatari citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or business up to 90 days without a visa. Reciprocally, U.S. citizens can now stay in Qatar for up to 90 days without a visa.

November 2024: Qatar has dramatically increased its military power

According to recent research, later published in November 2024, Qatar has dramatically increased its military power, as its expenditure grew by 434%.

2024: Qatar ranked 29th most peaceful country

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Qatar is the 29th most peaceful country in the world.

2024: Corruption Perception Index Ranking

As of 2024, Qatar is ranked 40 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index.

2024: Latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Details

As of 2024, Qatar is supposed to publish details of its greenhouse gas emissions two years after they occur, however, the latest official details are for 2007 emissions.

2024: Qatar Ranked 49th in Global Innovation Index

In 2024, Qatar was ranked 49th in the Global Innovation Index.

2027: Qatar to Host 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Qatar will host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to host the event.

2030: Qatar's goal for solar power

As part of Qatar National Vision 2030, they want 20% of their energy to come from solar power.

2030: Aim to raise tourism to 12% of GDP

By 2030, Qatar aims to raise tourism to 12% of its GDP.

2030: Qatar sets goal of attaining 20% of its energy from solar power

By 2030, Qatar has set the goal of attaining 20% of its energy from solar power, capitalizing on its high global horizontal irradiance value.

2030: Hosting 2030 Asian Games

Qatar is on course to experience a major jump in athletic and corporate tourism with hosting world-class tournaments such as the 2030 Asian Games.

2030: Qatar's National Vision 2030

Qatar's changes to improve workers' rights are in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030 and are meant to make working conditions better as the country becomes more famous around the world.