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 and largest city is Doha, which houses the majority of the country's population. The landscape is predominantly flat, low-lying desert. Qatar is separated from Bahrain by the Gulf of Bahrain.
1913: Anglo-Ottoman Convention
In 1913, the Ottomans agreed to renounce their claim to Qatar and withdraw their garrison from Doha under the Anglo-Ottoman Convention.
1915: British presence in Doha
In 1915, with British gunboats present, Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani persuaded the remaining Ottoman garrison to abandon their fort in Doha.
November 1916: Qatar becomes British protectorate
In November 1916, Qatar officially became a British protectorate through a treaty with the United Kingdom, which reserved foreign affairs and defense to the UK while allowing internal autonomy to Qatar.
1916: Qatar became a British protectorate
In 1916, Qatar became a British protectorate after signing a treaty with the United Kingdom, placing Qatar under its Trucial System of Administration.
May 1935: Treaty with British government
In May 1935, Abdullah signed a treaty with the British government, granting Qatar protection against internal and external threats while agreeing to an oil concession with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
1939: Oil reserves discovered
In 1939, oil reserves were first discovered in Qatar, though their exploitation and development were delayed due to World War II.
1940: Petroleum and natural gas industries began in 1940
Economic growth has been almost exclusively based on its petroleum and natural gas industries, which began in 1940.
1940: Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1940
Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1940, in Dukhan Field. The discovery transformed the state's economy.
1949: First British political officer and oil exports
In 1949, John Wilton was appointed as the first British political officer in Doha, signifying stronger Anglo-Qatari relations, and oil exports began, becoming the country's main source of revenue.
1961: Qatar joined OPEC in 1961
Qatar was a member state of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), having joined in 1961.
1968: Withdrawal from Trucial States federation talks
In 1968, after Britain announced its withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, Qatar joined talks to create a federation with Bahrain and the Trucial States but withdrew due to regional disputes.
1970: First Census
At the time of the first census held in 1970, Qatar's population was 111,133.
1970: Introduction of Short Story Anthology
Due to societal changes, 1970 witnessed the introduction of the first short story anthology in Qatar.
1970: TV Broadcasting Started
TV broadcasting was started in Qatar in 1970.
September 1971: Termination of treaty arrangements with UK
In September 1971, Qatar's "special treaty arrangements" with the United Kingdom, were terminated, marking full sovereignty and independence.
1971: Independence from Britain
In 1971, Qatar terminated the "special treaty arrangements" with the United Kingdom, achieving full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent state.
1973: Founding of Qatar University
Qatar University, the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education, was founded in 1973.
1982: Economy downturn from 1982 to 1989
The economy was in a downturn from 1982 to 1989. OPEC quotas on crude oil production, the lower price for oil, and the generally unpromising outlook on international markets reduced oil earnings.
1988: AFC Asian Cup Hosted
Qatar hosted the ninth edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 1988.
1989: Economy downturn from 1982 to 1989
The economy was in a downturn from 1982 to 1989. OPEC quotas on crude oil production, the lower price for oil, and the generally unpromising outlook on international markets reduced oil earnings.
1991: Qatar's role in the Gulf War
In 1991, Qatar played a role in the Gulf War, providing fire support during the Battle of Khafji and allowing 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 in 1991 by completion of the $1.5-billion Phase I of North Field gas development.
1993: Publication of Locally Authored Novels
In 1993, the first locally authored novels were published in Qatar.
1995: Emir Hamad seizes power
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: Launch of Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera initially launched in 1996 as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel.
1996: Qatargas project began exporting liquefied natural gas to Japan in 1996
In 1996, the Qatargas project began exporting liquefied natural gas to Japan.
1996: Qatar became part of the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity in 1996
Qatar became part of the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity in 1996.
March 1999: Qatar enfranchised women in connection with the 1999 elections for a Central Municipal Council on March 8, 1999.
The country enfranchised women at the same time as men in connection with the 1999 elections for a Central Municipal Council. These elections—the first-ever in Qatar—were intentionally held on 8 March 1999, International Women's Day.
1999: Women's suffrage endorsed
In 1999, women's suffrage, or the right to vote in municipal elections, was endorsed in Qatar.
1999: Qatar Cricket Association Joins ICC
The Qatar Cricket Association has been a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1999, and the men's and women's national teams both play regularly in ICC competitions.
2000: Qatar deployed fighter jets to assist in Libya in 2011
During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, Qatar deployed six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to assist the NATO air campaign against the Libyan government and special forces to provide training to Libyan rebels.The name Mirage 2000 contain the date 2000
2001: Population increase begins
From 2001, Qatar's population began to increase significantly, tripling over the next decade due to an 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, which directs and controls education for all ages from the pre-school level through the university level, including the "Education for a New Era" initiative.
2002: FIFA world cup in Japan and South Korea
In 2002, the FIFA world cup was hosted 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
The Doha Cultural Festival, carried out annually by the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, began in 2002.
2003: Adoption of a constitution
In 2003, Qatar adopted a constitution that provided for direct election of a portion of the legislature, although the government remains authoritarian.
2003: US Central Command headquarters
In 2003, Qatar served as the United States Central Command headquarters and a main launching site for the invasion of Iraq.
2004: Qatar introduced anti-terrorism laws in 2004
Despite introducing anti-terrorism laws in 2004 and updating them in subsequent years, Qatar faced allegations of supporting groups like Hamas.
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 instance of terrorism in Qatar.
2005: Qatar Investment Authority established in 2005
Established in 2005, Qatar Investment Authority is the country's sovereign wealth fund, specializing in foreign investment.
2005: Drafting of first constitution
In 2005, Qatar drafted its first written constitution.
2005: Qatar Hosts FIBA Asia Championship
Qatar hosted the 2005 FIBA Asia Championship.
2005: Qatar produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2005
Qatar produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2005.
March 2006: Transportation Master Plan Instituted
In March 2006, the Urban Planning and Development Authority instituted the transportation master plan, which is scheduled to run until 2025.
2006: Introduction of codified family law
In 2006, Qatar introduced codified family law while maintaining Sharia law as the main source of legislation, particularly in family matters, inheritance, and certain criminal acts.
2006: Mediation between Fatah and Hamas
In 2006, Qatar mediated between the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas.
2006: Physicians and Nurses per Inhabitants
In 2006, there were 23.12 physicians and 61.81 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants in Qatar.
2006: Hospital Beds, Doctors and Nurses per Inhabitants
In 2006, there were 25 beds per 10,000 people, and 27.6 doctors and 73.8 nurses per 10,000 people in Qatar.
2006: Launch of Qatar National Research Fund
Launched in 2006 by the Qatar Foundation, the Qatar National Research Fund was created to secure public funds for scientific research, aiming to diversify the economy from oil and gas to a knowledge-based economy.
2007: Latest official greenhouse gas emission details are for 2007 as of 2024
Like other members of the UNFCCC Qatar is supposed to publish details of its greenhouse gas emissions two years after they occur - however as of 2024 the latest official details are for 2007 emissions.
2008: Qatar launched its National Vision 2030 in 2008
In 2008 Qatar launched its National Vision 2030 which highlights environmental development as one of the four main goals for Qatar over the next two decades.
2008: Mediation in Lebanese political crisis
In 2008, Qatar helped unite Lebanese leaders into forming a political agreement during the Lebanese crisis.
2008: Qatar's military expenditure in 2008
In 2008, Qatar spent US$2.6 billion on its military, which was 2% of the GDP.
2008: Inauguration of a Roman Catholic church
In 2008, a Roman Catholic church was inaugurated in Qatar.
2008: Ashghal Reorganization
In 2008, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) underwent a major reorganization to streamline and modernize the authority in preparation for major project expansions.
2008: Christian Churches Allowed
Since 2008, Christians have been allowed to build churches on ground donated by the government in Qatar.
2008: Doha Hosts WTA Tour Championships
The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha hosted the WTA Tour Championships in women's tennis in 2008.
2008: Opening of the Museum of Islamic Art
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 Foundation established the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) as an attempt to assist the country's transition towards a knowledge economy, becoming Qatar's first free-trade zone with a seed capital of $800 million.
2009: Qatar Establishes Qatar Science & Technology Park
In 2009, Qatar established the Qatar Science & Technology Park in Education City to link universities with industry. Education City is also home to Qatar Academy, an accredited international Baccalaureate school.
2009: Qatar Holding has received $30–40bn per year from the state since 2009
Since 2009, Qatar Holding has received $30–40bn per year from the state.
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, despite never having qualified for the finals. The announcement was met with enthusiasm in the Persian Gulf region, but also controversy, including bribery allegations and concerns about the impact of warm temperatures on players.
2010: Launch of Al-Bairaq
As part of its national development strategy, Qatar launched Al-Bairaq in 2010, an educational outreach program to provide high school students with a research environment at Qatar University, focusing on STEM fields and languages.
2010: Construction of Hamad Port Begins
Construction of Hamad Port, Qatar's main seaport, began in 2010.
2010: Qatar wins bid to host 2022 FIFA World Cup
In 2010, Qatar was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to host the tournament, leading to increased investment and development.
2010: Religious Demographics
In 2010, Qatar's population was 67.7% Muslim, 13.8% Christian, 13.8% Hindu, and 3.1% Buddhist.
2010: Healthcare Spending
In 2010, spending on healthcare in Qatar accounted for 2.2% of the country's GDP, the highest in the Middle East.
2010: Takahashi Murakami Exhibition in Versailles
In 2010, the Qatar Museums Authority sponsored major exhibitions abroad, such as the Takahashi Murakami exhibition in Versailles.
2010: Qatar first overtook Luxembourg in 2010
In 2012, Qatar retained its title of richest country in the world (according to per capita income) for the third time in a row, having first overtaken Luxembourg in 2010.
2010: Increase in Healthcare Investment
In 2014, $4.7 billion was invested in healthcare in Qatar, a $2.1 billion increase from 2010.
2010: World Cup bid
Since the successful World Cup bid of 2010, $220 billion has been spent on infrastructure, boosting the hotel and hospitality markets.
2010: Population Recorded
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 in 2010.
2010: Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world in 2010-2014
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) found that in 2010–2014 Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world.
2011: Arab Spring events in 2011
After the Arab spring events in 2011, Qatar started expanding its armed forces.
2011: Population triples since 2001
By 2011, the population of Qatar had tripled since 2001, mainly due to an influx of foreign workers.
2011: Role in Arab Spring
In 2011, Qatar's increased influence and role during the Arab Spring, particularly the Bahraini uprising, exacerbated tensions with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.
2011: Decrease in Hospital Beds
In 2011, the number of hospital beds in Qatar decreased to 12 per 10,000 people, whereas the number of doctors increased to 28 per 10,000 people.
2011: Qatar Airways named Airline of the Year
Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year in 2011.
2011: AFC Asian Cup Hosted
Qatar hosted the fifteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.
May 2012: Qatari officials intended to allow the establishment of an independent trade union in May 2012
In May 2012, Qatari officials declared their intention to allow the establishment of an independent trade union.
2012: Qatar oil and gas reserves as of 2012
As of 2012, Qatar has proven oil reserves of 15 billion barrels and gas fields that account for more than 13% of the global resource.
2012: Qatar retained its title of richest country in the world in 2012
In 2012, Qatar retained its title of richest country in the world (according to per capita income) for the third time in a row. According to the study published by the Washington-based Institute of International Finance, the per capita GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) was $106,000 (QR387,000) in 2012.
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 of mathematics, reading and skills.
2012: Qatar estimated to invest over $120 billion in the energy sector in 2012
In 2012, it was estimated that Qatar would invest over $120 billion in the energy sector in the next 10 years.
2012: Damien Hirst Exhibition in London
In 2012, the Qatar Museums Authority sponsored major exhibitions abroad, such as the Damien Hirst exhibition in London.
2012: Illiteracy Rates in Qatar
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 among the richest sovereign wealth funds in the world in 2012
In 2012, with assets of $115bn, QIA was ranked 12th among the richest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
2012: Qatar Airways named Airline of the Year
Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year in 2012.
January 2013: Population Estimate
In January 2013, the Qatar Statistics Authority estimated Qatar's population at 1,903,447, of which 1,405,164 were males and 498,283 females.
June 2013: Sheikh Tamim becomes Emir
In June 2013, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became the Emir of Qatar, succeeding his father, and focused on improving domestic welfare and infrastructure.
June 2013: Unemployment rate in June 2013
The unemployment rate in June 2013 was 0.1%.
2013: Qatar introduced conscription in 2013
In 2013, Qatar introduced conscription, the first Gulf state to do so in recent years. It is mandatory for Qatari male citizens to serve for up to 4 months.
2013: Network Readiness Index Ranking
In 2013, Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI), which remained unchanged in 2014.
2013: Qatar Hosts FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship
Qatar hosted the 2013 FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship.
May 2014: DLA Piper released recommendations for reforming the kafala system in May 2014
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 has pledged to implement.
May 2014: Accusations of Bribery in Qatar's World Cup Bid
In May 2014, Qatari football official Mohammed bin Hammam was accused of making payments totaling £3 million to officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid for the 2022 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 in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
2014: Diplomatic incident with Saudi Arabia in 2014
After a diplomatic incident with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in 2014, Qatar started expanding its armed forces.
2014: Qatar Holding has investments around the world as of 2014
As of 2014, Qatar Holding has 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: Healthcare Investment
In 2014, $4.7 billion was invested in healthcare in Qatar, a $2.1 billion increase from 2010.
2014: Hamad International Airport Replaces Doha International Airport
In 2014, Hamad International Airport replaced the former Doha International Airport as Qatar's principal airport.
2014: Network Readiness Index Ranking
In 2014, Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI).
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 that migrant workers constructing offices for the 2022 World Cup organizers had not been paid in over a year and were working illegally. Nepalese migrants involved in constructing infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup died at a rate of one every two days.
2014: U.S. officials claimed Qatar failed to act against blacklisted individuals in 2014
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: Cybercrime Prevention Law Passed
In 2014, a Cybercrime Prevention Law was passed in Qatar, restricting press freedom.
2014: Modesty campaign launched
In 2014, a modesty campaign was launched in Qatar to remind tourists of the country's restrictive dress code, advising against revealing clothing in public.
2014: Life Expectancy
In 2014, the life expectancy at birth in Qatar was 82.08 years, the highest in the Middle East.
2014: Qatar Hosts FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship
Qatar hosted the 2014 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship.
2014: Media Classified as 'Not Free'
Qatar's media was classified as "not free" in the 2014 Freedom of the Press report by Freedom House.
2014: Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world in 2010-2014
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) found that in 2010–2014 Qatar was the 46th-largest arms importer in the world.
September 2015: Qatar sent troops to assist in the Yemeni civil war in September 2015
During the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war in September 2015, Qatar sent 1,000 troops, 200 armored vehicles, and 30 Apache helicopters to assist with Saudi military operations.
2015: Qatar was the 16th largest arms importer in the world in 2015
In 2015, Qatar was the 16th largest arms importer in the world, according to SIPRI.
2015: Qatar National Handball Team Emerges as Runners-Up
In 2015, the Qatar national handball team emerged as runners-up to France in the World Men's Handball Championship as hosts, however the tournament was marred by numerous controversies regarding the host nation and its team.
2015: Increase in Airport Passenger Traffic
In 2016, Hamad International Airport was named the 50th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, serving 37,283,987 passengers, which was a 20.2% increase from 2015.
2015: Qatar National Parachute Team Performs at World Handball Championship
The Qatar National Parachute team performed at the 2015 World Handball Championship and Qatar's National Day.
December 2016: Hamad Port Becomes Operational
In December 2016, Hamad Port became operational, capable of handling up to 7.8 million tonnes of products annually.
2016: Qatar has the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world in 2016
As of 2016, Qatar has the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.
2016: Airport Passenger Traffic
In 2016, Hamad International Airport was named the 50th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, serving 37,283,987 passengers.
2016: Qatar was the 11th largest arms importer in the world in 2016
In 2016, Qatar was the 11th largest arms importer in the world, according to SIPRI.
2016: Laws were reformed to mandate companies pay workers' wages on time in 2016
In 2016, laws were reformed to mandate that companies that fail to pay workers' wages on time could temporarily lose their ability to hire more employees.
2016: Job cuts from petroleum companies and other sectors in 2016
The country saw job cuts in 2016 from its petroleum companies and other sectors in the government.
June 2017: Qatar withdrew its forces from Yemen in June 2017
As a result of the diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia that began in June 2017, Qatar withdrew its forces from Yemen.
June 2017: Diplomatic ties severed with Qatar
In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and Yemen severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
2017: QSTec commissioned its polysillicon plant in Ras Laffan in 2017
In 2017, QSTec commissioned its polysillicon plant in Ras Laffan. This plant has a capacity of 1.1 MW of solar power.
2017: International Tourists Visit Qatar
In 2017, Qatar saw more than 2.3 million international tourists, marking it as one of the fastest-growing countries in tourism.
2017: South Asian Population
In 2017, the combined number of South Asians in Qatar represented over 1.5 million people (60%), with Indians being the largest community, numbering 650,000.
2017: Population Statistics
In early 2017, Qatar's population was 2.6 million, with foreigners making up a vast majority; only 313,000 (12%) were Qatari citizens, while the remaining 2.3 million were expatriates.
2017: Qatar's population at 2.6 million
In early 2017, the population of Qatar reached 2.6 million, with a small fraction being Qatari citizens and the majority being expatriates and migrant workers.
2017: Qatar Airways named Airline of the Year
Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year in 2017.
2017: Qatar purchased equipment from European countries and the United States in 2017
Since 2017, Qatar has purchased large quantities of equipment from European countries and the United States.
2017: Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021
These concerns contributed to the Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021.
2018: National service term extended in 2018
In 2018, the national service term was extended to one year.
January 2019: Qatar left OPEC in January 2019
Qatar was a member state of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), having left in January 2019.
December 2019: Qatari Officials Approach Glastonbury and Coachella Organizers
In December 2019, Qatari World Cup officials approached the organizers of the Glastonbury Festival in England and the Coachella Festival in the United States, to plan huge desert campsites for thousands of football fans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
2019: Qatar Wins 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: Qatar Ranked 65th in the Global Innovation Index
In 2019, Qatar was ranked 65th in the Global Innovation Index, a significant improvement by 2024.
2019: Qatar Airways named Airline of the Year
Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year in 2019.
2019: Market Climate Ranking
Qatar was ranked in the top eight for market climate in the Middle East by the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Survey 2019 of the World Economic Forum.
October 2020: Strip-search incident at Hamad International Airport
In October 2020, Qatari authorities strip-searched 13 Australian women on a plane at Hamad International Airport, leading to an international incident with Australia.
2020: Predicted Earnings from Tourism
By 2020, Gulf News predicted that Qatar would earn $11.9 billion from attracting foreign travelers due to increased hospitality and attention to the country's culture.
January 2021: End of diplomatic crisis
In January 2021, the diplomatic crisis with Qatar ended with the signing of the AlUla declaration.
February 2021: The Guardian Reports Migrant Worker Deaths
According to a February 2021 article in The Guardian, some 6,500 migrant construction workers had died working on projects in Qatar.
October 2021: First Consultative Assembly elections
In October 2021, Qatar held its first elections for the Consultative Assembly after several postponements.
2021: Minimum wage was instituted in 2021
A minimum wage was instituted in 2021.
2021: Increase in Hotel Rooms by the End of 2021
By the end of 2021, construction work in Qatar was expected to increase the available hotel rooms from 37,000 to 70,000 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
2021: Tourism Increase
In the first half of 2022, the tourism sector witnessed a strong recovery with more than 729,000 international visitors, a 19% increase compared to the full year of 2021.
2021: Minimum wage set for 2021
Qatar has made changes to improve workers' rights, especially for foreign workers. The country set a minimum wage for 2021.
2021: Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021
These concerns contributed to the Qatar diplomatic crisis from 2017 to 2021.
2022: Qatar's military spending in 2022
As of 2022, Qatar's military spending increased to US$7.49 billion.
2022: Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup
From November 21 to December 18, 2022, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, marking the first time an Arab and Muslim-majority country hosted the event.
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 start of the games.
2022: International Visitors
In the first half of 2022, the tourism sector witnessed a strong recovery with more than 729,000 international visitors, a 19% increase compared to the full year of 2021.
2022: Qatar Hosts FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship
Qatar hosted the 2022 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship.
2022: Qatar Prepares Accommodations for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Qatar was estimated to host a football fanbase of 1.6 million for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Two cruise ships were also 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 a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
September 2023: US-Iran prisoners swap deal mediated by Qatar
In September 2023, Qatar mediated the US-Iran prisoners swap deal, where Iran freed five Americans in exchange for five Iranians held in the US and the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar.
2023: Qatar's democracy ranking
According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, in 2023, Qatar is the second least electoral democratic country in the Middle East.
2023: AFC Asian Cup Hosted and Title Retained
In 2023, Qatar hosted the eighteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup and successfully retained their title, defeating Jordan in the final.
September 24, 2024: Qatar joins U.S. Visa Waiver Program
On September 24, 2024, Qatar was designated as the first Gulf country to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing its citizens to travel to the United States for up to 90 days for business or tourism without a visa. U.S. citizens are now permitted to stay in Qatar for up to 90 days without a visa.
November 2024: Qatar increased its military power in November 2024
According to recent research, the later published in November 2024, Qatar has dramatically increased its military power, as its expenditure grew by 434%.
2024: Qatar's ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index as of 2024
As of 2024 Qatar is still ranked 40 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
2024: Qatar Ranked 49th in the Global Innovation Index
In 2024, Qatar was ranked 49th in the Global Innovation Index, an increase from 65th in 2019.
2024: Latest official greenhouse gas emission details are for 2007 as of 2024
Like other members of the UNFCCC Qatar is supposed to publish details of its greenhouse gas emissions two years after they occur - however as of 2024 the latest official details are for 2007 emissions.
2024: Qatar is the 29th most peaceful country in the world in 2024
Qatar is the 29th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 Global Peace Index.
2025: Transportation Master Plan Completion
The transportation master plan, instituted in March 2006 by the Urban Planning and Development Authority, is scheduled to run until 2025.
2027: Qatar to Host 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup
Qatar will host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, making it the first Arab country to host the event.
2030: Qatar National Vision 2030 economic goals
As part of Qatar National Vision 2030, the country is making its economy less dependent on oil and gas by expanding its range of industries. By 2030, they want 20% of their energy to come from solar power.
2030: Qatar set the goal of attaining 20% of its energy from solar power by 2030
By 2030, Qatar has set the goal of attaining 20% of its energy from solar power.
2030: Hosting Asian Games
In 2030, Qatar is scheduled to host the Asian Games, contributing to athletic and corporate tourism.
2030: Tourism Target
Qatar aims to raise tourism to 12% of GDP by 2030 by holding events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the upcoming 2030 Asian Games.
2030: Qatar's National Vision 2030
These changes 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.
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