History of Saudi Arabia in Timeline
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a West Asian country occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. It's the fifth-largest in Asia and twelfth-largest globally. Bordered by the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east, it shares borders with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Yemen. Its terrain is primarily desert. Riyadh is the capital and largest city, with Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina being other major cities. With a population of approximately 32.2 million, it's the fourth-most populous country in the Arab world. It holds significant religious importance due to Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest cities.
1901: Start of Unification Campaigns
In 1901, King Abdulaziz began a series of military and political campaigns that ultimately led to the unification of Saudi Arabia.
1902: Recapture of Riyadh
In 1902, Abdulaziz—later known as Ibn Saud—recaptured control of Riyadh, bringing the Al Saud back to Nejd.
1912: Foundation of the Ikhwan
In 1912, the Ikhwan, a tribal army inspired by Wahhabism, was founded.
1913: Capture of Al-Ahsa
In 1913, Ibn Saud, with the aid of the Ikhwan, captured Al-Ahsa from the Ottomans.
1916: Arab Revolt Against the Ottoman Empire
In 1916, with British support, 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 newspaper was launched, becoming the first newspaper in Saudi Arabia and the broader Persian Gulf region.
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
In 1924, the Kingdom of Hejaz was conquered.
1925: Establishment of regional health departments
In 1925, several regional health departments were established in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a structured healthcare system with the first one in Makkah.
January 1926: Ibn Saud Declares Himself King of Hejaz
On 10 January 1926, Ibn Saud declared himself king of Hejaz.
1929: Defeat of the Ikhwan at the Battle of Sabilla
In 1929, the Ikhwan were defeated at the Battle of Sabilla after a two-year struggle, where their leaders were massacred.
September 1932: Issuance of 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, the two kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd were unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
1932: Founding of Saudi Arabia
In 1932, King Abdulaziz founded Saudi Arabia by uniting Hejaz, Najd, parts of Eastern Arabia, and South Arabia (Asir) into a single state.
1938: Discovery of Petroleum
In 1938, petroleum was discovered in Saudi Arabia, transforming its economy and global influence.
1941: Development of Oil Fields Begins
In 1941, full-scale development of the oil fields began under Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company).
1945: Saudi Arabia joined the UN
In 1945, Saudi Arabia joined the United Nations.
1950: Saudi Arabia Population Estimate
In 1950, the population of Saudi Arabia was estimated at 3 million.
1950: Establishment of the Ministry of Health
In 1950, the various healthcare institutions were merged to form the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, creating a ministerial body responsible for healthcare provision.
1951: Non-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
In 1954, television was introduced in Saudi Arabia, marking a new era in mass media and communication within the country.
1960: Co-founding of OPEC
Since co-founding OPEC in 1960, Saudi Arabia's oil pricing policy has aimed to stabilize the world oil market.
1962: Abolition of Slavery
Slavery was officially abolished in Saudi Arabia in 1962.
1964: Deposition of King Saud
In 1964, Saud was deposed in favor of his half brother Faisal of Saudi Arabia.
1966: Discovery of Ancient Burial Field
In 1966, an earthwork in Tarout exposed an ancient burial field that yielded a large statue dating to the Dilmunite period.
1970: Rural Life in Saudi Arabia
As late as 1970, most Saudis lived a subsistence life in the rural provinces.
1970: Launch of Five-Year Development Plans
In 1970, Saudi Arabia launched its first of many five-year "Development Plans" to diversify the economy and provide jobs.
1972: Saudi Arabia Gained Control in Aramco
In 1972, Saudi Arabia gained a 20% control in Aramco.
1973: Oil Boycott
In 1973, Saudi Arabia led an oil boycott against Western countries, leading to the quadrupling of oil prices.
1974: Inauguration of King's Camel Race
In 1974, the annual King's Camel Race began in Saudi Arabia, becoming one of the sport's most important contests.
1975: Launch of Arab News Newspaper
In 1975, Arab News, the first English-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia, was launched, catering to an expatriate and internationally-minded audience.
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 government closed all cinemas and theatres in Saudi Arabia.
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 occurred, influencing Saudi foreign and domestic policy.
1979: Islamic Revolution in Iran
In 1979, the Islamic Revolution in Iran called for the overthrow of monarchies and Sunni dominance, leading to a proxy conflict with Saudi Arabia.
1979: Reference to the Iranian revolution
In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the "moderate Islam" of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution.
1980: Saudi Arabia Buys Out American Interests in Aramco
In 1980, Saudi Arabia bought out the American interests in Aramco.
1980: Little Change in Oil Reserves
Since 1980, Saudi Arabia's published oil reserves have shown little change, with the main exception being an increase between 1987 and 1988.
1982: King Khalid Dies; Fahd Succeeds
In 1982, King Khalid died and was succeeded by his brother, King Fahd.
1984: AFC Asian Cup Win
In 1984, the Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup, marking a significant achievement in the country's football history.
1987: Increase in oil reserves
Between 1987 and 1988, Saudi Arabia's published oil reserves had an increase of about 100 billion barrels.
1988: Increase in oil reserves
Between 1987 and 1988, Saudi Arabia's published oil reserves had an increase of about 100 billion barrels.
1988: AFC Asian Cup Win
In 1988, the Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup.
1990: Invasion of Kuwait and US Intervention
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 800,000 Yemenis.
1990: Invitation to foreign troops
In 1990, the ulema had a key influence in the invitation to foreign troops to Saudi Arabia.
1991: Expulsion of Yemenis
In 1991, Saudi Arabia expelled 800,000 Yemenis.
1991: Gulf War
In 1991, Saudi Arabian forces were involved in the Gulf War to liberate Kuwait.
1991: Saudi Arabia's role in the Gulf War
Saudi Arabia's role in the 1991 Gulf War, particularly the stationing of American troops on Saudi soil, 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: Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted
In 1992, the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia was adopted by royal decree, stating 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. King Fahd clarified that this was not a move towards democracy.
1994: Osama bin Laden Stripped of Citizenship
In 1994, Osama bin Laden, a Saudi citizen, was stripped of his citizenship.
1995: Fahd suffers a stroke, Abdullah becomes de facto regent
In 1995, King Fahd suffered a stroke, leading Crown Prince Abdullah to become the de facto regent. His authority was affected by conflict with Fahd's full brothers, the "Sudairi Seven".
1996: AFC Asian Cup Win
In 1996, the Saudi Arabia national football team won the AFC Asian Cup, securing their third title.
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: Asian Championship Win
In 1999, the Saudi Arabian national basketball team won bronze at the Asian Championship.
2000: Red Sea ecosystem
As of 2000, the Red Sea has over 1,200 species of fish, including 42 species of deep water fish.
2000: USS Cole Bombing
In 2000, Osama bin Laden was responsible for the USS Cole bombing near the port of Aden, Yemen.
2000: Establishment of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority
In 2000, the Saudi Arabian government established the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to encourage foreign direct investment in the kingdom.
2000: Expansion of Higher Education
Since 2000, higher education in Saudi Arabia has expanded rapidly with the founding of large numbers of universities and colleges.
2001: Prince Bandar bin Sultan acknowledges and defends corruption
In 2001, Prince Bandar bin Sultan acknowledged and defended the existence of systemic and endemic corruption within the Saudi government and royal family.
2001: Internet Censorship
Since 2001, Saudi Arabia has engaged in internet censorship, targeting "immoral" and political content.
2003: Privatization of Key Services
In 2003, Saudi Arabia began privatizing several key services including municipal water supply, electricity, and telecommunications.
2003: Bombings and armed violence
In 2003, Saudi Arabia experienced bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar, reflecting signs of discontent.
2003: Refusal to support the invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Saudi Arabia refused to support or participate in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
2003: Establishment of the National Dialogue Forum
In 2003, the National Dialogue Forum was established as a limited step to widen political participation.
2004: Water and Sanitation Access in Saudi Arabia
According to the 2004 census, 97% of the population in Saudi Arabia had access to an improved source of drinking water and 99% had access to improved sanitation.
2004: Bombings and armed violence
In 2004, Saudi Arabia experienced bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar, reflecting signs of discontent.
April 2005: Nationwide municipal elections held
In February-April 2005, Saudi Arabia held its first nationwide municipal elections, but women were not allowed to participate.
November 2005: Saudi Arabia approved as a member of the World Trade Organization
In November 2005, Saudi Arabia was approved as a member of the World Trade Organization, after negotiations focused on increasing market access to foreign goods.
2005: King Abdullah reduces the powers of the ulema
After his accession to the throne in 2005, King Abdullah took steps to reduce the powers of the ulema, transferring control over girls' education to the Ministry of Education.
2005: King Abdullah Succeeds Fahd
In 2005, King Fahd died and was succeeded by Abdullah, who continued a policy of minimum reform and clamping down on protests.
2005: Ratification of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
In 2005, Saudi Arabia became one of the first nations to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
2005: Saudi Arabia joined 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.
2006: Statement by Wajeha al-Huwaider on the weakness of Saudi women
In 2006, Wajeha al-Huwaider, a Saudi feminist and journalist, stated that Saudi women are weak due to the lack of laws protecting them.
2007: Creation of the Allegiance Council
In 2007, the Allegiance Council was created to regulate the succession.
February 2009: Governmental changes announced
In February 2009, King Abdullah announced a series of governmental changes to modernize institutions including the judiciary, armed forces, and various ministries.
2009: Significant personnel changes to the government
In 2009, the king made significant personnel changes to the government, appointing reformers to key positions and the first woman to a ministerial post.
2009: Founding of KAUST
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, known as KAUST, the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia, was founded in 2009.
December 2010: Hillary Clinton's statement on terrorism funding
In December 2010, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that Saudi Arabia remained a critical financial support base for terrorist groups like al-Qaida, the Taliban and LeT.
2010: No policies banning or restricting smoking
Before 2010, Saudi Arabia had no policies in place to ban or restrict 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.
2010: Arab Spring
The Arab Spring (2010-2012) led to increasing alarm within the Saudi monarchy over the rise of Iran's influence in the region.
January 2011: Protests in Jeddah
On 29 January 2011, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jeddah criticizing the city's poor infrastructure after flooding killed 11 people.
February 2011: King Abdullah announces benefits for citizens
In 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.
December 2011: Arrest of Reporters Uploading Video on Poverty
In December 2011, the Saudi interior ministry arrested three reporters for almost two weeks after they uploaded a video about poverty on YouTube.
2011: Study on Human Migration
A 2011 study found that the first modern humans to spread east across Asia left Africa about 75,000 years ago across the Bab-el-Mandeb connecting the Horn of Africa and Arabia.
2012: Saudi Arabia Most Visited Country
According to the World Bank, approximately 14.3 million people visited Saudi Arabia in 2012, making it the world's 19th-most-visited country.
2012: Groundwater Loss
By 2012, consuming nonrenewable groundwater resulted in the loss of an estimated four-fifths of the total groundwater reserves in Saudi Arabia.
2012: End of Arab Spring
The Arab Spring (2010-2012) led to increasing alarm within the Saudi monarchy over the rise of Iran's influence in the region.
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: CIA Factbook estimate of foreign nationals
As of 2013, the CIA Factbook estimated that foreign nationals comprised about 21% of Saudi Arabia's population.
2013: Number of foreign-born domestic workers
As of 2013, there were more than half a million foreign-born domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, according to The Guardian.
2013: End of Privatization Period
By 2013, Saudi Arabia's privatization efforts that had begun in 2003, had extended to parts of education, health care, and traffic control.
2013: Detention and deportation of undocumented migrant workers
Since 2013, over 500,000 undocumented migrant workers, mostly from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, have been detained and deported from Saudi Arabia. Some migrants allegedly faced beatings, torture, and electrocution, with many dying due to heatstroke or suicide.
March 2014: Accusations of Sponsoring Terrorism
In March 2014, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused Saudi Arabia and Qatar of providing political, financial, and media support to terrorists against the Iraqi government.
June 2014: Approval of law to protect ancient relics and historic sites
In June 2014, the Council of Ministers approved a law that empowers the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage 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: Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh's Fatwa
In 2014, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, issued a fatwa prohibiting joining or supporting terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.
2014: Foreign population estimate by Central Department of Statistics & Information
In 2014, the Central Department of Statistics & Information estimated the foreign population in Saudi Arabia to be 33%, totaling 10.1 million people.
2014: Yemeni Civil War
Since 2014, Saudi Arabia and The UAE have been locked in a proxy war over the Yemeni civil war in which the Emiratis have supported secessionists against the pro-Saudi central government.
March 2015: Intervention in Yemen
In March 2015, Saudi Arabia mobilized 150,000 troops and 100 fighter jets to support its intervention in the civil war in neighbouring Yemen.
December 2015: Formation of 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: Accusations of Supporting Extremist Ideology
In 2015, former President of Syria Bashar al-Assad noted that the sources of the extreme ideology of ISIS and other such Salafist extremist groups are the Wahabism that has been supported by the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
2015: Increased Sanitation Access
In 2015, it was estimated that access to sanitation in Saudi Arabia increased to 100%. However, 886,000 people lacked access to "improved" water.
2015: Sites submitted for UNESCO recognition
In 2015, ten sites in Saudi Arabia submitted requests for recognition to UNESCO.
2015: Women allowed to vote and be elected
In 2015, women were allowed to vote and be elected in municipal elections, and to be nominated to the Shura Council.
September 2016: Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
In September 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act allowing relatives of victims of the 11 September attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.
2016: Capture of Aden
By early 2016, Saudi ground forces and their coalition allies captured Aden and parts of southwest Yemen.
2016: End to Domestic Wheat Production
In 2016, Saudi Arabia ended domestic wheat production to preserve water.
2016: Value of Natural Resources
In 2016, Saudi Arabia had the third highest total estimated value of natural resources, valued at US$34.4 trillion.
2016: Formation of the General Entertainment Authority
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 in Saudi Arabia, a nationwide performance indicator system for services and hospitals that aimed to improve waiting times and other major measurements across the kingdom.
2016: Condemnation of Mass Executions
Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2016 were condemned by international rights groups.
2016: Reforms against Islamic fundamentalism
Since 2016, the kingdom has started to back off from exporting Islamic fundamentalism by curbing the powers of religious police and no longer funding the construction of mosques abroad.
2016: Curbing of religious police powers
Since 2016, the powers of Saudi Arabia's religious police (Haia or Mutaween) have been curbed, barring them from pursuing, questioning, requesting identification, or arresting suspects.
2016: Allocation for preservation of historical and cultural heritage
Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme (Saudi Vision 2030), the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.
March 2017: Participation in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas
In March 2017, Saudi Arabia participated in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, contributing 18.5 million euros.
November 2017: Anti-corruption campaign and arrests
In November 2017, an anti-corruption campaign led to the arrest of as many as 500 people, including Saudi Arabian princes, government ministers, and businesspeople.
2017: Addressing issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections
Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections for women.
2017: Arms deal with the United States
In 2017, American President Donald Trump and King Salman signed letters of intent for Saudi Arabia to purchase arms from the United States totalling $350 billion over 10 years.
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 center, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet's Hadith, was established to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed's hadiths to prevent their use in justifying terrorism.
2017: Implementation of tax on unhealthy food and opening of women-only gyms
In 2017, Saudi Arabia implemented a tax on unhealthy food, drinks, and cigarettes. Additionally, women-only gyms were allowed to open, offering sports such as bodybuilding, running, and swimming.
2017: Nuclear Power Program
In 2017, as part of its nuclear power programme, Saudi Arabia planned to extract uranium domestically, taking a step towards self-sufficiency in producing nuclear fuel and exploring foreign partnerships for constructing its first civil nuclear reactors.
2017: Discovery of Rock Engravings of Dogs
In 2017, hunting scenes showing images of most likely domesticated dogs (resembling the Canaan Dog) were discovered in northwestern Saudi Arabia. These rock engravings date back more than 8,000 years.
2017: Tobacco use at 12.7%
In 2017, tobacco use in Saudi Arabia was recorded at 12.7%.
2017: U.S. State Department Report on Religious Freedom
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.
2017: Social reforms regarding women's rights
Since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince in 2017, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a series of social reforms regarding women's rights.
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 2018: Women allowed to drive
In June 2018, the Saudi government issued a law allowing women to drive.
2018: Expatriate Languages
According to 2018 data, the most numerous expatriate languages spoken in Saudi Arabia are Bengali (~1,500,000), Tagalog (~900,000), Punjabi (~800,000), and Urdu (~740,000).
2018: Potential expansion in tourism
According to a report conducted by BMI Research in 2018 both religious and non-religious tourism have significant potential for expansion.
2018: Saudi Arabia's Debut at International Film and Art Festivals
In 2018, Saudi Arabia made its debut appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Biennale, marking a significant step in its engagement with international arts and culture.
2018: High-Quality Research Output Ranking
In 2018, Saudi Arabia ranked 28th worldwide in terms of high-quality research output according to the scientific journal Nature.
2018: First Public Cinema Opens
In 2018, Saudi Arabia saw the opening of its first public cinema after a 35-year ban, signaling a shift in the entertainment landscape.
2018: Lobbying Campaign
In 2018, Saudi's US-based lobbying campaign foreign registration documentations got published online.
2018: Nuclear weapons intentions
Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly expressed willingness to acquire or develop nuclear weapons in the event that its chief regional rival, Iran, develops one.
2018: Women Permitted in Sport Stadiums
Until 2018 women were not permitted in sport stadiums in Saudi Arabia. Segregated seating, allowing women to enter, has been developed in three stadiums across major cities.
May 2019: Saudi Minister of Health receives global award for combating smoking
In May 2019, the Saudi Minister of Health, Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah, received a global award on behalf of Saudi Arabia for combating smoking through social awareness, treatment, and application of regulations at the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
July 2019: Saudi Arabia defends China's policies
In July 2019, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority states responded to criticism of China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims by submitting a letter defending China's policies.
July 2019: UNESCO receives contribution from Saudi Arabia for heritage preservation
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 for Sportswashing Strategy
In August 2019, Saudi Arabia's strategy of introducing international sporting events faced criticism for allegedly being a method of sportswashing.
2019: Defense and Security Spending
As of 2019, Saudi Arabia's spending on defence and security was about US$78.4 billion.
2019: Adoption of Tourism Travel Visa
In 2019, Saudi Arabia adopted a general tourism travel visa to allow non-Muslims to visit.
2019: Domestic Wheat Production Programme Encouraged
In 2019, Saudi Arabia encouraged small farmers to produce wheat through a domestic production programme established under the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA).
2019: Introduction of Premium Residency visa
In 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced a specialized Premium Residency visa for foreigners, although permanent residency is generally not available.
2019: Partial amendment of 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 in relation to the guardianship of minor children. Additionally, women were allowed to travel abroad, register for divorce or marriage, and apply for official documents without a male guardian's permission.
2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2019, Saudi Arabia was ranked 68th in the Global Innovation Index.
2019: Calorie labels added to food and drink products
In 2019, calorie labels were added to some food and drink products in Saudi Arabia as part of the Diet and Physical Activity Strategy (DPAS) to reduce obesity and inform citizens about their diet.
2019: Plans to open visa applications
In 2019, the kingdom announced its plans to open visa applications for visitors, where people from about 50 countries would be able to get tourist visas to Saudi.
2019: Condemnation of Mass Executions
Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2019 were condemned by international rights groups.
April 2020: Elimination of Flogging
In April 2020, the Saudi Supreme Court issued a directive to eliminate the punishment of flogging from the court system, replacing it with imprisonment or fines.
May 2020: Finance Minister admits to severe economical crisis
In May 2020, the Finance Minister of Saudi Arabia admitted that the country's economy was facing a severe economical crisis for the first time in decades, because of the pandemic as well as 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, indicating a significant step in women's sports.
2020: High Percentage of Internet Users
According to the World Bank, in 2020, 98% of Saudi Arabia's population were internet users, placing it among the top countries with the highest internet penetration.
2020: Addressing issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections
Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections for women.
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 Rate
In 2020, the literacy rate in Saudi Arabia is 99% among males and 96% among females.
May 2021: Announcement of Oldest Human Habitation Site
In May 2021, archaeologists announced that a 350,000-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 to entirely codify its laws and eliminate discrepancies.
2021: Saudi Arabia cleans textbooks from antisemitic and sexist content
In 2021, Saudi Arabia took measures to remove antisemitic and sexist content from textbooks. Paragraphs concerning the punishment of homosexuality and expressions of admiration for extremist martyrdom were also removed. References demonizing Jews, Christians, and Shiites were toned down or removed entirely. The U.S. State Department welcomed these changes, and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported a training program for Saudi teachers.
2021: E-commerce Revenue
In 2021, Saudi Arabia's e-commerce market reached a revenue of US$8 billion, making it the 27th largest market globally.
2022: Life expectancy and health statistics in Saudi Arabia
According to 2022 data from the World Bank, Saudi Arabia had a life expectancy of 78 years (77 for males, 80 for females). Infant mortality was 6 per 1000. 71.8% of the adult population was overweight, and 40.6% was obese.
2022: Reporters Without Borders rates the kingdom's press a "very serious" situation
As of 2022, Reporters Without Borders considers the situation of the press in Saudi Arabia to be "very serious", highlighting ongoing concerns about media restrictions.
2022: Date Production
As of 2022, Saudi Arabia produced 1.6 million tonnes of dates, making it the world's second largest producer after Egypt.
2022: Saudi Arabia's Population
As of 2022, Saudi Arabia's reported population is 32,175,224, making it the fourth most populous country in the Arab world.
2022: Women granted the right to initiate divorce under the new Personal Status Law
In 2022, Saudi Arabia granted women the right to initiate divorce without the approval of a legal guardian under the new Personal Status Law.
2022: The Economist ranked the Saudi government
In 2022, The Economist ranked the Saudi government 150th out of 167 in its Democracy Index.
2022: Capital Punishment Reform
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: Ranking of Saudi Universities
In the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking), five Saudi institutions were listed among the top 500 universities in the world.
2022: Condemnation of Mass Executions
Mass executions carried out in Saudi Arabia in 2022 were condemned by international rights groups.
2022: Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman becomes prime minister
Since 2022, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been the prime minister of Saudi Arabia, which is an exception to the norm where the king also serves as prime minister.
June 2023: Reversal of Ban on Women's Professions
As of June 2023, Saudi Arabia has reportedly reversed its ban on women "becoming lawyers, engineers, or geologists" and established "aggressive affirmative action programmes".
2023: Saudi Arabia Military Ranking
A 2023 estimate by SIPRI ranked Saudi Arabia fourth in the world in per capita military spending.
2023: Urban Population
As of 2023, about 85% of Saudis live in urban metropolitan areas—specifically Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
2023: Saudi Arabian Armed Forces Personnel
As of 2023, the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia had 127,000 active personnel, the National Guard had 130,000, and the paramilitary security forces had 24,500.
2023: Freedom House gave its lowest "Not Free" rating
In 2023, Freedom House gave Saudi Arabia its lowest "Not Free" rating, with a score of 8 out of 100.
2023: Arrival of Elite Footballers to Saudi League
Since 2023, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund brought many elite footballers to the country's league.
July 2024: RELC forms joint ventures with Chinese companies
In July 2024 Saudi Arabia's Renewable Energy Localisation Company (RELC) has formed three joint ventures with Chinese companies to advance the kingdom's clean energy infrastructure.
November 5, 2024: Discovery of ancient city in Khaybar oasis
On November 5, 2024, archeologists announced the discovery of al-Natah, an ancient city dating back 4,000 years in the Saudi oasis of Khaybar, inhabited during the Bronze Age around 2,400 BC, featuring about 500 houses. Nearby, a cluster of graves containing metal weapons was found.
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, signaling a major investment in sports infrastructure and tourism.
2024: Military Expenditure
According to a 2024 estimate, Saudi Arabia's military expenditure was approximately US$80.3 billion, roughly 7% of GDP, placing the country seventh in the world.
2024: V-Dem Democracy Indices ranking
According to the 2024 V-Dem Democracy Indices, Saudi Arabia is the least democratic country in the Middle East and the most closed autocratic country in Asia.
2024: Troop Participation in Yemen
As of 2024, Saudi Arabia had 2,500 troops actively participating in the conflict in Yemen.
2024: Mangrove Seedling Plantings
As of 2024, as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced it had planted 13 million mangrove seedlings.
2024: Arms Imports from the U.S.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia accounted for 12 percent of all U.S. arms exports, making them the largest recipient of U.S. arms in the world.
September 2025: Mutual Defence Pact with Pakistan
In September 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan entered into a mutual defence pact.
2025: Record Annual Executions
In 2025, Saudi Arabia broke its record for annual executions for the second consecutive year, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.
2025: Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2025, Saudi Arabia was ranked 46th in the Global Innovation Index.
2025: Dar al-Reaya investigation
In 2025, an investigation by The Guardian newspaper found that the Dar al-Reaya, officially "care homes", continued to be effectively "jails" for women.
2025: Wheat Production Forecast
In 2025, wheat production in Saudi Arabia is forecast to more than double the five-year average.
2030: Saudi Arabia's 2030 Targets
As part of Saudi Arabia's 2030 targets, the Public Investment Fund is actively promoting the localization of renewable energy components. RELC aims to localize up to 75% of the components used in Saudi Arabia's renewable projects by 2030, positioning the country as a major global exporter of renewable technologies.
2030: Planned reduction of tobacco use to 5%
Saudi Arabia plans to reduce tobacco use from 12.7% in 2017 to 5% by 2030.
2030: COVID-19 impact on Vision 2030
The unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy in 2020, laid unforeseen challenges before the development plans of Saudi Arabia, where some of the programmes under 'Vision 2030' were also expected to be affected.
2030: Tourism as part of the Saudi Vision 2030
Tourism is an important component of the Saudi Vision 2030.
2030: National Transformation Programme
Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme (Saudi Vision 2030), the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.
2034: Saudi Arabia to Host the FIFA World Cup
In 2034, Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup, requiring significant infrastructure developments, including new stadiums and airport expansions.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician lawyer...
Qatar is a country located on the Qatar Peninsula in...
India officially the Republic of India is a South Asian...
Osama bin Laden was the founder and leader of al-Qaeda...
Trending
1 day ago Akshay Bhatia Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational, Berger's Heartbreak, Spieth Mentioned
52 minutes ago Olivia Rodrigo Recording New Music, LEGO Collaboration Rumored, Paddington Bag Revival in Paris.
2 hours ago Cher Attends Chaz Bono's Wedding Amid Engagement Rumors with Alexander Edwards Sparked by Ring
3 hours ago Bill McDermott: A Profile of a Transformative Business Leader and CEO
3 hours ago Seattle Schools Consider Pay-to-Play Athletics Amidst Budget Shortfall and Superintendent's Bloat Reduction.
22 hours ago Slotkin urges HHS to release Title X funding amidst potential birth control clinic crisis.
Popular
Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights activist politician and...
Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman serving as...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Victoria MacKenzie-Childs is a ceramic artist and co-founder with her...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...