Full History Of Saudi Arabia In Timeline From 1902

1902: Capture of Riyadh

In 1902, Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud) began a series of conquests with the capture of Riyadh.

1902: Recapture of Riyadh by Abdulaziz

In 1902, Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud) recaptured control of Riyadh, bringing the Al Saud back to Nejd and creating the third "Saudi state".

1912: Foundation of the Ikhwan

In 1912, the Ikhwan, a tribal army inspired by Wahhabism, was founded and quickly grew.

1913: Capture of Al-Ahsa

In 1913, Ibn Saud captured Al-Ahsa from the Ottomans with the aid of the Ikhwan.

1916: Arab Revolt led by Hussein bin Ali

In 1916, with the encouragement and support of Britain, the Sharif of Mecca, Hussein bin Ali, led a pan-Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.

1920: Launch of Al Fallah Newspaper

In 1920, Al Fallah, the first newspaper in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf region, was launched.

1921: Ibn Saud Takes Title of Sultan of Nejd

In 1921, following the final defeat of the Al Rashid, Ibn Saud took the title Sultan of Nejd.

1924: Conquest of the Kingdom of Hejaz

The Kingdom of Hejaz was conquered in 1924–25 with the help of the Ikhwan.

1925: Establishment of regional health departments

In 1925, several regional health departments were established, with the first in Makkah, marking the origins of the Ministry of Health.

January 1926: Ibn Saud Declares Himself King of Hejaz

On 10 January 1926, Ibn Saud declared himself king of Hejaz after the Kingdom of Hejaz was conquered in 1924-25.

1929: Defeat of the Ikhwan

In 1929, the Ikhwan were defeated at the Battle of Sabilla, where their leaders were massacred.

September 1932: Royal Decree Naming the New State

In September 1932, Abdulaziz issued a royal decree naming the new state al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya as-Suʿūdiyya, translated as "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".

September 1932: Unification of Hejaz and Nejd

On 23 September 1932, Prince Faisal declared the unification, and the two kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd were unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This date is now Saudi National Day.

1932: Foundation of Saudi Arabia

In 1932, King Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud) united Hejaz, Najd, parts of Eastern Arabia (Al-Ahsa) and South Arabia (Aseer) into Saudi Arabia.

1938: Discovery of Petroleum

In 1938, petroleum was discovered in Saudi Arabia.

1941: Full-Scale Development of Oil Fields Begins

In 1941, full-scale development of the oil fields began under the US-controlled Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company).

1945: Saudi Arabia Joins the UN

In 1945, Saudi Arabia joined the UN and became a founding member of the Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Muslim World League, and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

1948: Post-establishment of Israel

Following the establishment of Israel and the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, Jews began leaving for Yemen and from there headed to Israel.

1950: Saudi population estimated at 3 million

In 1950, the Saudi population was estimated at 3 million.

1950: Healthcare institutions merged to become a ministerial body

In 1950, the various healthcare institutions were merged to become a ministerial body, forming the Ministry of Health.

1951: Saudi Arabia Not a Signatory to the UN Refugee Convention

Saudi Arabia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

1953: Saud Succeeds as King

In 1953, Saud of Saudi Arabia succeeded as the king of Saudi Arabia.

1954: Introduction of Television

Television was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 1954.

1960: Founding Member of OPEC

Since 1960, as a founding member of OPEC, Saudi Arabia's oil pricing policy has aimed to stabilize the world oil market.

1962: Abolition of slavery in Saudi Arabia

Slavery was officially abolished in Saudi Arabia in 1962.

1964: Deposition of Saud in Favor of Faisal

In 1964, Saud was deposed in favor of his half brother Faisal of Saudi Arabia.

1966: Earthwork Exposing Ancient Burial Field

In 1966, an earthwork in Tarout exposed an ancient burial field that yielded a large statue dating to the Dilmunite period (mid 3rd millennium BC).

1970: Subsistence life in rural provinces

As late as 1970, most Saudis lived a subsistence life in the rural provinces.

1970: Saudi Arabia launches Development Plans

Since 1970, Saudi Arabia has had five-year "Development Plans".

1972: Saudi Arabia Gained Control in Aramco

In 1972, Saudi Arabia gained a 20% control in Aramco.

October 1973: Oil Embargo Against Western Nations

In October 1973, Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations imposed an oil embargo against the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and other Western nations which supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

1973: Oil Boycott Led by Saudi Arabia

In 1973, Saudi Arabia led an oil boycott against Western countries that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War, leading to the quadrupling of oil prices.

1973: Oil Embargo Imposition

In 1973, the ulema were key in the imposition of the oil embargo.

1974: King's Camel Race Begun

In 1974, the annual King's Camel Race began, attracting animals and riders from throughout the region. It has become one of the sport's most important contests.

1975: Launch of Arab News

In 1975, Arab News, the first English-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia, was launched.

1975: Assassination of Faisal

In 1975, Faisal was assassinated by his nephew, Prince Faisal bin Musaid, and was succeeded by his half-brother King Khalid.

1976: Saudi Arabia Becomes Largest Oil Producer

By 1976, Saudi Arabia had become the largest oil producer in the world.

1979: Closure of Cinemas and Theatres

During the Islamic revival movement in the 1980s, and as a political response to an increase in Islamist activism including the 1979 seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Saudi Arabian government closed all cinemas and theatres.

1979: Seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca

Following the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 by Islamist radicals, the government strengthened the ulema's powers and increased their financial support.

1979: Iranian Islamic Revolution and Grand Mosque Seizure

In 1979, the Iranian Islamic Revolution and the Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca greatly concerned the Saudi government and had a long-term influence on Saudi foreign and domestic policy.

1979: Crown Prince Promises Return to Moderate Islam

In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the "moderate Islam" of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution. A new centre, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet's Hadith, was established to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed's hadiths to prevent them being used to justifying terrorism.

1980: Saudi Arabia Bought out American Interests in Aramco

In 1980, Saudi Arabia bought out the American interests in Aramco.

1980: Support of Saddam Hussein in Iran-Iraq War

In the 1980's, Saudi Arabia supported Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq War.

1980: Saudi Arabia petroleum reserve publication

Since 1980, Saudi Arabia's published petroleum reserves have shown little change.

June 1982: Death of King Khalid and Succession of King Fahd

King Khalid died of a heart attack in June 1982. He was succeeded by his brother, King Fahd.

1984: AFC Asian Cup Win

In 1984, Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup.

1986: Fahd Adds Title

In 1986, King Fahd added the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" to his name.

1987: Increase in petroleum reserves

Between 1987 and 1988 there was an increase of about 100 billion barrels in Saudi Arabia's petroleum reserves.

1988: Increase in petroleum reserves

Between 1987 and 1988 there was an increase of about 100 billion barrels in Saudi Arabia's petroleum reserves.

1988: AFC Asian Cup Win

In 1988, Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup.

1988: End of Iran-Iraq War

In the 1980's, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait spent $25 billion in support of Saddam Hussein in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988).

1990: Condemnation of Kuwait Invasion

In 1990, Saudi Arabia condemned the invasion of Kuwait and asked the United States to intervene.

1990: Expulsion of Yemenis

In 1990, Saudi Arabia expelled 800000 Yemenis.

1990: Invitation to Foreign Troops

In 1990, the ulema were key in the invitation to foreign troops to Saudi Arabia

1991: Expulsion of Yemenis

In 1991, Saudi Arabia expelled 800000 Yemenis.

1991: Involvement in Gulf War

In 1991, Saudi Arabian forces were involved in bombing raids on Iraq and in the land invasion that helped to liberate Kuwait during the Gulf War (1990–1991).

1991: Gulf War and Stationing of US Troops

Saudi Arabia's role in the 1991 Gulf War, particularly the stationing of US troops on Saudi soil from 1991, prompted the development of a hostile Islamist response internally.

March 1992: Introduction of the "Basic Law"

In March 1992, King Fahd introduced the "Basic Law", which emphasized the duties and responsibilities of a ruler in Saudi Arabia.

1992: FIFA Confederations Cup Final

During the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup, which was played in Saudi Arabia, the country reached the final, losing 1–3 to Argentina.

1992: Adoption of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia

In 1992, the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia was adopted by royal decree, stipulating that the king must comply with Sharia and the Quran.

December 1993: Inauguration of the Consultative Council

In December 1993, the Consultative Council, composed of a chairman and 60 members chosen by the King, was inaugurated in Saudi Arabia.

1994: FIFA World Cup Debut

In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, under the leadership of Jorge Solari, Saudi Arabia beat both Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before failing to defeat Sweden in the round of 16.

1994: Osama bin Laden Stripped of Citizenship

Osama bin Laden, responsible for future terrorist attacks, was a Saudi citizen until he was stripped of his citizenship in 1994.

1995: Fahd Suffers Stroke

In 1995, King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke, leading Crown Prince Abdullah to assume the role of de facto regent, though his authority was challenged by the "Sudairi Seven".

1996: AFC Asian Cup Win

In 1996, Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup.

1998: U.S. Embassy Bombings in East Africa

In 1998, Osama bin Laden was responsible for the U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa.

1999: Saudi Arabian national basketball team wins bronze at the 1999 Asian Championship

In 1999, the Saudi Arabian national basketball team won bronze at the Asian Championship.

2000: Expansion of higher education

Higher education has expanded rapidly in Saudi Arabia, with large numbers of universities and colleges being founded, particularly since 2000.

2000: Extent of Coral Reef

In 2000 the red sea contained more than 1,200 species of fish around 10% of which are endemic. This also includes 42 species of deep water fish. The rich diversity is partly owed to the 2000 km (1240 mi) of coral reef extending along the coastline

2000: USS Cole Bombing

In 2000, Osama bin Laden was responsible for the USS Cole bombing near the port of Aden, Yemen.

2000: Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority Established

In 2000, the Saudi Arabian government established the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to encourage foreign direct investment in the kingdom.

2001: Prince Bandar bin Sultan Acknowledges and Defends Corruption

In 2001, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a senior member of the royal family, acknowledged and defended the existence of corruption in an interview.

2001: Saudi Arabia engages in widespread internet censorship

Since 2001, Saudi Arabia has engaged in widespread internet censorship, targeting "immoral" content and websites critical of the Saudi regime.

2003: Saudi Arabia privatization of key services

From 2003 to 2013, Saudi Arabia privatized several key services including municipal water supply, electricity, and telecommunications.

2003: Bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar

In 2003, Saudi Arabia experienced a series of bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar, indicating signs of discontent.

2003: Refusal to Participate in US-Led Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Saudi Arabia refused to support or participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq.

2003: Establishment of the National Dialogue Forum

In 2003, the National Dialogue Forum was established in Saudi Arabia as a limited step to widen political participation.

2003: Increasing Alarm Over Iran's Influence

The consequences of the 2003 invasion and the Arab Spring led to increasing alarm within the Saudi monarchy over the rise of Iran's influence in the region.

2004: Bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar

In 2004, Saudi Arabia experienced a series of bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar, indicating signs of discontent.

2004: Water and sanitation access in Saudi Arabia

The 2004 census indicated that 97% of the population had access to an improved source of drinking water and 99% had access to improved sanitation.

April 2005: First Nationwide Municipal Elections

In February-April 2005, the first nationwide municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia, with women being excluded from participation.

November 2005: Saudi Arabia becomes member of World Trade Organization

In November 2005, Saudi Arabia was approved as a member of the World Trade Organization.

2005: King Abdullah Reduces Ulema Powers

After his accession to the throne in 2005, King Abdullah took steps to reduce the powers of the ulema, such as transferring control over girls' education to the Ministry of Education.

2005: King Fahd Died and Succeeded by Abdullah

In 2005, King Fahd died and was succeeded by Abdullah, who continued the policy of minimum reform and clamping down on protests. King Abdullah also introduced economic reforms aimed at reducing the country's reliance on oil revenue.

2005: Saudi Arabia Joins the World Trade Organization

In 2005, Saudi Arabia joined the World Trade Organization.

2005: First Municipal Elections Held

In 2005, the first municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia as part of limited steps to widen political participation.

2006: Statement by Wajeha al-Huwaider

In 2006, Saudi feminist and journalist Wajeha al-Huwaider stated that Saudi women lacked legal protection, regardless of their status.

2007: Creation of the Allegiance Council

In 2007, the Allegiance Council was created to regulate the succession in Saudi Arabia.

February 2009: Governmental Changes Announced by Abdullah

In February 2009, King Abdullah announced a series of governmental changes to the judiciary, armed forces, and various ministries to modernize these institutions.

2009: Establishment of KAUST

In 2009, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) was founded as the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia.

2009: Smoking prevalence study

In 2009, a study found the median percentage of smokers to be highest among elderly people (~25%) and significantly higher among males (~26.5%) than females (~9%).

2009: Significant Personnel Changes to the Government

In 2009, the King made significant personnel changes to the government by appointing reformers to key positions and the first woman to a ministerial post.

December 2010: Hillary Clinton accuses Saudi Arabia of funding terror groups

In December 2010, then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that Saudi Arabia remained a critical financial support base for al-Qaida, the Taliban, LeT, and other terrorist groups.

2010: No smoking policies

Before 2010, Saudi Arabia had no policies banning or restricting smoking.

2010: Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2010, Transparency International gave Saudi Arabia a score of 4.7 in its Corruption Perceptions Index.

January 2011: Protest in Jeddah Over Poor Infrastructure

On 29 January 2011, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jeddah to criticize the city's poor infrastructure after flooding killed 11 people; police stopped the demonstration and arrested 30 to 50 people.

February 2011: King Abdullah Announces Benefits for Citizens

On 22 February 2011, in response to Arab Spring protests, King Abdullah announced a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $36 billion, including $10.7 billion for housing, but no political reforms.

September 2011: Male-Only Municipal Elections Held

On 29 September 2011, male-only municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia.

December 2011: Saudi Arabia arrests reporters for uploading video on poverty

In December 2011, the Saudi interior ministry arrested three reporters for uploading a video on YouTube about poverty in the kingdom.

2011: Study on Human Migration

A 2011 study found that the first modern humans to spread east across Asia left Africa about 75000 years ago across the Bab-el-Mandeb connecting the Horn of Africa and Arabia.

2012: Saudi Arabia visited by 14.3 million people

Approximately 14.3 million people visited Saudi Arabia in 2012, making it the world's 19th-most-visited country.

2012: Groundwater depletion

By 2012, Saudi Arabia had lost an estimated four-fifths of its total groundwater reserves due to consuming non-renewable groundwater.

November 2013: Expulsion of Illegal Ethiopian Residents

In November 2013, Saudi Arabia expelled thousands of illegal Ethiopian residents from the kingdom, drawing criticism from various Human Rights entities.

2013: Foreign-Born Domestic Workers

According to The Guardian, as of 2013, there were more than half a million foreign-born domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, primarily from Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, often facing high recruitment fees.

2013: CIA Factbook Estimate of Foreign Nationals

As of 2013, the CIA Factbook estimated that foreign nationals comprised about 21% of the population of Saudi Arabia.

2013: Saudi Arabia privatization of key services

From 2003 to 2013, Saudi Arabia privatized several key services including municipal water supply, electricity, and telecommunications.

2013: Detention and Deportation of Undocumented Migrant Workers

Since 2013, over 500000 undocumented migrant workers, mostly from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, have been detained and deported from Saudi Arabia.

March 2014: Accusations of sponsoring terrorism

In March 2014, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar, of providing political, financial, and media support to terrorists against the Iraqi government.

June 2014: Law Approved to Protect Ancient Relics

In June 2014, the Council of Ministers approved a law giving the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage the means to protect Saudi Arabia's ancient relics and historic sites.

2014: Implementation of Anti-Domestic Violence Law

In 2014, Saudi Arabia implemented the anti-domestic violence law.

2014: Grand Mufti prohibits support for terrorist organizations

In 2014, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, issued a fatwa explicitly prohibiting joining or supporting terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.

2014: Foreign Population Estimate

In 2014, the Central Department of Statistics & Information estimated the foreign population in Saudi Arabia to be 33%, totaling 10.1 million.

March 2015: Saudi Arabia mobilizes troops for Yemen intervention

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia mobilized 150,000 troops and 100 fighter jets to support its intervention in the civil war in neighboring Yemen.

December 2015: Saudi Arabia forms Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

In December 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, an alliance of Muslim-majority countries aimed at combating terrorism and extremism.

2015: Women Allowed to Vote and Be Elected

In 2015, Abdullah allowed women to vote and be elected in municipal elections, and to be nominated to the Shura Council.

2015: Assad accuses Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorism

In 2015, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that the extreme ideology of ISIS and other Salafist groups originates from Wahhabism, which he claimed is supported by the Saudi royal family.

2015: Sanitation access increased to 100%

In 2015, estimates indicated that access to sanitation increased to 100%, with about 40% of the population connected to sewers. However, 886,000 people still lacked access to "improved" water.

2015: UNESCO World Heritage Site Requests

In 2015, ten sites in Saudi Arabia submitted requests for recognition to UNESCO.

September 2016: U.S. Congress passes Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act

In September 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), allowing relatives of victims of the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for its government's alleged role in the attacks.

2016: Saudi-led forces capture parts of Yemen

By early 2016, Saudi ground forces and their coalition allies captured Aden and parts of southwest Yemen, while the Houthis continued to control northern Yemen and the capital city Sanaa.

2016: End of domestic wheat production

In 2016, Saudi Arabia ended domestic production of wheat to preserve water resources.

2016: Saudi Arabia's natural resources value

In 2016, Saudi Arabia was considered an "energy superpower," having the second highest total estimated value of natural resources, valued at US$34.4 trillion.

2016: Formation of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA)

In 2016, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) was formed in Saudi Arabia to oversee the expansion of the entertainment sector.

2016: Launch of the "Ada'a" project

In 2016, the Health Ministry launched the "Ada'a" project, a nationwide performance indicator for services and hospitals, resulting in improved waiting times and other major measurements.

2016: Power of Religious Police Curtailed

In 2016, the power of the religious police in Saudi Arabia was curbed, preventing them from pursuing, questioning, requesting identification, or arresting suspects.

2016: Mass executions condemned

Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2016 were condemned by international rights groups.

2016: Kingdom backs away from Islamist ideologies

Starting in 2016, Saudi Arabia began backing away from Islamist ideologies, implementing reforms such as curbing the powers of religious police and stopping funding for mosques in foreign countries.

2016: Allocation for Cultural Heritage Preservation

Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme, also known as Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.

March 2017: Participation in Heritage Protection Alliance

In March 2017, Saudi Arabia participated in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, contributing 18.5 million euros.

May 2017: Arms Purchase Agreements with the United States

On 20 May 2017, President Donald Trump and King Salman signed a series of letters of intent for Saudi Arabia to purchase arms from the United States totaling $350 billion over 10 years.

November 2017: Anti-Corruption Campaign Arrests

In November 2017, as many as 500 people, including prominent Saudi Arabian princes, government ministers, and businesspeople, were arrested in an anti-corruption campaign.

November 2017: Discovery of Earliest Depictions of Dogs

In November 2017, rock engravings dating back more than 8000 years were discovered in Shuwaymis, showing images of domesticated dogs wearing leashes, making them the earliest depictions of dogs in the world.

2017: Reforms Regarding Women's Rights

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections.

2017: Crown Prince Promises Return to Moderate Islam

In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the "moderate Islam" of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution. A new centre, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet's Hadith, was established to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed's hadiths to prevent them being used to justifying terrorism.

2017: Mohammed bin Salman Appointed Crown Prince

In 2017, Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince, leading to a series of social reforms regarding women's rights in Saudi Arabia.

2017: Saudi Arabia plans to extract uranium domestically

In 2017, Saudi Arabia announced plans to extract uranium domestically as part of its nuclear power program, aiming for self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production. The 2017 plan represented a significant step in the country's nuclear ambitions.

2017: Tax increase on unhealthy food, drink, and cigarettes implemented

In 2017, a tax increase on unhealthy food, drink, and cigarettes was implemented to improve healthcare offerings. Also in 2017, women-only gyms were allowed to open.

2017: U.S. State Department names Saudi Arabia a Country of Particular Concern

In its 2017 religious freedom report, the U.S. State Department named Saudi Arabia a Country of Particular Concern, denoting systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

March 2018: Crown Prince Meets Archbishop of Canterbury

In March 2018, the Crown Prince met the Archbishop of Canterbury during a visit to the UK, pledging to promote interfaith dialogue.

June 24, 2018: Saudi Arabia allows women to drive

On June 24, 2018, the Saudi government issued a law officially allowing women to drive.

August 2018: Dispute Over Arrest of Women's Rights Activist

In August 2018, Saudi Arabia halted new trade and investment dealings with Canada and suspended diplomatic ties over the kingdom's arrest of women's rights activist Samar Badawi on 6 August 2018.

2018: Expatriate language data

According to 2018 data, the most numerous languages spoken by the large expatriate communities are Bengali, Tagalog, Punjabi, Urdu, Egyptian Arabic, Rohingya, North Levantine Arabic and Malayalam.

2018: Saudi Arabia's Debut at Film Festivals

In 2018, Saudi Arabia made its debut appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Biennale.

2018: Saudi Arabia ranked 28th worldwide in high-quality research output

In 2018, Saudi Arabia ranked 28th worldwide in terms of high-quality research output according to the scientific journal Nature, making it the best performing Middle Eastern, Arab, and Muslim country.

2018: Lobbying Campaign Documentation Published

In 2018, Saudi's US-based lobbying campaign foreign registration documentations got published online.

2018: Tourism potential for expansion

In 2018, it was found that both religious and non-religious tourism have significant potential for expansion.

2018: First Public Cinema Opens After Ban

In 2018, the first public cinema opened in Saudi Arabia after a ban of 35 years, with plans for more than 2000 screens by 2030.

2018: Easing of Restrictions on Women in Sports Stadiums

Until 2018, women were not permitted in sports stadiums. After 2018 restrictions have eased to allow segregated seating for women.

February 2019: Crown Prince Defends China's Xinjiang Internment Camps

In February 2019, Crown Prince Mohammad defended China's Xinjiang internment camps for Uyghur Muslims.

May 2019: Saudi Arabia Receives Global Award for Combating Smoking

In May 2019, Saudi Arabia, represented by the then Minister of Health Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah, received a global award at the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva for its efforts in combating smoking through social awareness, treatment, and regulation.

July 2019: UNESCO Receives Contribution from Saudi Arabia

In July 2019, UNESCO signed a letter with the Saudi Minister of Culture in which Saudi Arabia contributed US$25 million to UNESCO for the preservation of heritage.

August 2019: Criticism of Sportswashing Strategy

In August 2019, the kingdom's strategy received criticism for appearing as a method of sportswashing soon after Saudi's US-based 2018 lobbying campaign foreign registration documentations got published online.

2019: Saudi Arabia arms importer

From 2019 to 2023, Saudi Arabia was the world's second-largest arms importer, receiving 15% of all U.S. arms exports. Spending on defense and security was about US$78.4 billion as of 2019.

2019: Kingdom announces visa plans for visitors

In 2019, Saudi Arabia announced plans to open visa applications for visitors from about 50 countries.

2019: Saudi Arabia adopts general tourism travel visa

In 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced a general tourism travel visa allowing non-Muslims to visit.

2019: Premium Residency Visa Introduced

In 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced a specialized Premium Residency visa for foreigners, offering an alternative to permanent residency.

2019: Amendments to Male Guardianship Law

In 2019, Saudi Arabia partially amended the male guardianship law, excluding women over 21 from the requirement of a male guardian and granting women rights related to child guardianship. Women were also allowed to travel abroad, register for divorce or marriage, and apply for official documents without male guardian permission.

2019: Saudi Arabia ranked 68th in the Global Innovation Index

In 2019, Saudi Arabia was ranked 68th in the Global Innovation Index.

2019: Calorie labels added to food and drink products

In 2019, as part of a strategy to reduce obesity, calorie labels were added to some food and drink products.

2019: Mass executions condemned

Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2019 were condemned by international rights groups.

April 2020: Saudi Arabia eliminates flogging as punishment

In April 2020, the Saudi Supreme Court issued a directive to eliminate the punishment of flogging from the Saudi court system, replacing it with imprisonment or fines.

May 2020: Saudi Arabia faces severe economic crisis

In May 2020, the Finance Minister of Saudi Arabia admitted that the country's economy was facing a severe economical crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic and declining global oil markets.

November 2020: Launch of Saudi Women's Premier League

In November 2020, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the launch of the first nationwide Saudi women's premier league.

2020: Percentage of Internet Users

According to the World Bank, as of 2020, 98% of the population of Saudi Arabia are internet users, ranking it 8th among countries with the highest percentage of internet users.

2020: Reforms Regarding Women's Rights

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections.

2020: Eligibility for Saudi electronic visa

In 2020, it was announced that holders of a US, UK, or Schengen visa are eligible for a Saudi electronic visa upon arrival.

2020: Literacy rates in Saudi Arabia

In 2020, the literacy rate in Saudi Arabia was 99% among males and 96% among females, with youth literacy rising to approximately 99.5% for both sexes.

May 2021: Announcement of Acheulean Site

In May 2021, archaeologists announced that a 350000-year-old Acheulean site named An Nasim in the Hail region could be the oldest human habitation site in northern Saudi Arabia.

2021: Judicial Reforms Announced

In 2021, Saudi Arabia announced judicial reforms which will lead to an entirely codified law that eliminates discrepancies.

2021: Saudi Arabia cleans textbooks

In 2021, Saudi Arabia took measures to remove antisemitic and sexist content from textbooks, as reported by the Washington Post.

2021: E-commerce Market Size

In 2021, Saudi Arabia was the 27th largest market for e-commerce with a revenue of US$8 billion.

2022: Reporters Without Borders Rating

As of 2022, Reporters Without Borders rates the kingdom's press a "very serious" situation.

2022: Saudi Arabia's population in 2022

As of 2022, Saudi Arabia's reported population was 32,175,224, making it the fourth most populous country in the Arab world, with close to 42% of its inhabitants being immigrants.

2022: Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Becomes Prime Minister

In 2022, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman became the prime minister of Saudi Arabia.

2022: Saudi Arabia's Democracy Index Ranking

In 2022, The Economist ranked the Saudi government 150th out of 167 in its Democracy Index.

2022: Saudi Arabia's Life Expectancy and Health Statistics

In 2022, according to World Bank data, Saudi Arabia had a life expectancy of 78 years (77 for males, 80 for females). Infant mortality was 6 per 1000 (6 for males, 5 for females). 71.8% of adults were overweight and 40.6% were obese in 2022.

2022: Ranking of Saudi universities

In 2022, five Saudi institutions were ranked among the top 500 universities globally by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking).

2022: Crown Prince states capital punishments will be reduced

In 2022, the Saudi Crown Prince stated that capital punishments will be removed "except for one category mentioned in the Quran", namely homicide, under which certain conditions must be applied.

2022: Women Granted Right to Divorce

In 2022, women in Saudi Arabia were granted the right to divorce without the approval of a legal guardian under the new Personal Status Law.

2022: Mass executions condemned

Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2022 were condemned by international rights groups.

June 2023: Saudi Arabia reverses ban on women in certain professions

As of June 2023, Saudi Arabia reportedly reversed its ban on women "becoming lawyers, engineers, or geologists" and established "aggressive affirmative action programs", doubling the female labor force participation rate.

2023: Saudi Arabia Military Spending

According to the 2023 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimate, Saudi Arabia spent around 7% of its GDP on its military, making it the world's fifth-largest military spender.

2023: Urbanization of Saudi Arabia

As of 2023, about 85% of Saudis live in urban metropolitan areas—specifically Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

2023: Freedom House Rating and V-Dem Democracy Indices

In 2023, Freedom House gave Saudi Arabia its lowest "Not Free" rating, with a score of 8 out of 100, and according to the 2023 V-Dem Democracy Indices, Saudi Arabia is the least democratic country in the Middle East.

July 2024: RELC forms joint ventures with Chinese companies

In July 2024, Saudi Arabia's Renewable Energy Localisation Company (RELC) formed three joint ventures with Chinese companies, including Envision Energy, Jinko Solar, and Lumetech, to enhance the country's clean energy infrastructure.

November 5, 2024: Discovery of Ancient City al-Natah

On November 5, 2024, archeologists announced the discovery of an ancient city named al-Natah, located within the Saudi oasis of Khaybar. The city dates back approximately 4,000 years to the Bronze Age around 2,400 BC and contained about 500 houses. A nearby cluster of graves was also found, containing metal weapons.

December 2024: Saudi Arabia Confirmed as Host of 2034 FIFA World Cup

In December 2024, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

2024: Saudi Troops Actively Participating in Yemen Conflict

As of 2024, Saudi Arabia had 2,500 troops actively participating in the conflict in Yemen.

2024: Saudi Arabia emphasizes climate goals at High-Level Political Forum

In 2024, Saudi Minister Faisal Al Ibrahim highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in global climate goals at the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development, citing over 80 initiatives and $180 billion in investments for the green economy.

2024: Saudi Arabia ranked 44th in the Global Innovation Index

Saudi Arabia was ranked 44th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.

2030: Plans for Cinema Expansion

In 2018, the first public cinema opened in Saudi Arabia after a ban of 35 years, with plans for more than 2000 screens by 2030.

2030: Saudi Arabia's 2030 targets

Saudi Arabia's 2030 targets include the Public Investment Fund promoting the localization of renewable energy components, with the aim to localize up to 75% of the components used in renewable projects by 2030.

2030: Development Plans Impacted

The unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, along with Saudi Arabia's poor human rights records, laid unforeseen challenges before the development plans of the kingdom, where some of the programmes under 'Vision 2030' were also expected to be affected.

2030: Tourism and Saudi Vision 2030

Tourism is an important component of the Saudi Vision 2030.

2030: Vision 2030 objectives

Vision 2030 objectives are aligned to the efforts on local sustainability, sector integration, and societal advancement. This was reiterated in 2024.

2030: Allocation for Cultural Heritage Preservation

Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme, also known as Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.

2034: Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. Developments of stadiums to be used for the event are ongoing, with reportedly 11 new stadiums being built and airports scheduled to be expanded.