History of Turkmenistan in Timeline

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Caspian Sea. Ashgabat is its capital and largest city. It is one of the six independent Turkic states. With a population of over 7 million, Turkmenistan is the 35th most-populous country in Asia and also one of the most sparsely populated nations on the Asian continent.

1909: Exploitation of the fields in Cheleken

In 1909, the oil extraction industry grew with the exploitation of the fields in Cheleken.

1909: First electrical power plant built

Turkmenistan's first electrical power plant was built in 1909.

1913: Electrical power plant went into full operation

In 1913, Turkmenistan's first electrical power plant went into full operation.

1916: Anticonscription revolt

In 1916, the Russian Empire's participation in World War I led to an anticonscription revolt that swept through most of Russian Central Asia, including Turkmenistan.

1917: Russian Revolution

In 1917, the Russian Revolution occurred, although it had little direct impact on Turkmenistan at the time.

1917: Automobiles in Turkmenistan

Prior to the 1917 Russian Revolution, only three automobiles existed in Turkmenistan, all of them foreign models in Ashgabat.

1921: Transcaspia renamed Turkmen Oblast

In 1921, the tsarist province of Transcaspia was renamed Turkmen Oblast.

1924: Formation of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

In 1924, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic was formed from the Turkmen Oblast.

1925: Turkmenistan becomes a constituent republic of the Soviet Union

In 1925, Turkmenistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, named the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (Turkmen SSR).

1925: Municipal bus service began in Ashgabat

Municipal bus service began in Ashgabat in 1925 with five routes.

1927: Air service began

In 1927, air service began with a route between Çärjew (Turkmenabat) and Tashauz (Dashoguz), flying German Junkers 13 and Soviet K-4 aircraft, each capable of carrying four passengers.

1929: Earthquake in the Kopet Dag Range

In 1929, a strong earthquake occurred in the Kopet Dag Range.

1932: Aerodrome built in Ashgabat

In 1932, an aerodrome was built in Ashgabat on the site of the current Howdan neighborhoods, for both passenger and freight service, the latter mainly to deliver supplies to sulfur mines near Derweze in the Karakum Desert.

1938: Taxicab service began in Ashgabat

Taxicab service began in Ashgabat in 1938 with five vehicles.

1939: Percentage of ethnic Russians

The percentage of ethnic Russians in Turkmenistan dropped from 18.6% in 1939.

1940: Oil production reached two million tons per year

By 1940, oil production had reached two million tons per year.

1948: Discovery of the Gumdag field

In 1948, production leaped ahead with the discovery of the Gumdag field.

1948: Ashgabat earthquake

In 1948, the Ashgabat earthquake killed over 110,000 people, which was approximately two-thirds of the city's population.

1948: Earthquake Damage to Baháʼí House of Worship

In 1948, the Baháʼí House of Worship in Ashgabat was heavily damaged in an earthquake and later demolished.

1948: Earthquake destroys Ashgabat

In 1948, the city of Ashgabat and surrounding villages were largely destroyed by an earthquake.

1957: Republic-level directorate for power generation created

In 1957, Soviet authorities created a republic-level directorate for power generation in Turkmenistan.

1957: Diesel generators and diesel-electric locomotives

Until 1957, most electrical power in Turkmenistan was produced locally by small diesel generators and diesel-electric locomotives.

1958: First gas wells drilled

In 1958, the first gas wells were drilled at Serhetabat and at Derweze.

1959: Oil and gas fields discovered

In 1959, oil and gas fields were discovered in the Central Karakum Desert.

1959: Discovery of the Goturdepe field

In 1959, production leaped ahead with the discovery of the Goturdepe field.

1960: Oil production exceeded four million tons per year

By 1960, oil production exceeded four million tons per year.

1962: Passenger ferry to Baku, Azerbaijan

Since 1962, the Turkmenbashy International Seaport has operated a passenger ferry to the port of Baku, Azerbaijan as well as rail ferries to other ports on the Caspian Sea (Baku, Aktau).

1965: Oil and gas fields discovered

In 1965, oil and gas fields were discovered in the Central Karakum Desert.

1966: Opening of the Ojak gas field

In 1966, The Turkmen gas industry got underway with the opening of the Ojak gas field.

1966: Turkmenistan connects to Central Asian electrical grid

In 1966, Turkmenistan entered the first phase of connecting its remote regions to the regional Central Asian electrical grid.

1969: Construction of the Mary thermal power plant began

In 1969, construction of the Mary thermal power plant began.

1970: Oil production exceeded 14 million tons per year

By 1970, oil production exceeded 14 million tons per year.

1970: Natural gas production reached 13 billion cubic meters

In 1970, natural gas production reached 13 billion cubic meters.

1971: Possible start of Darvaza gas crater fire

A possible explanation for the Darvaza gas crater fire is that a Soviet drilling operation in 1971 caused it.

1979: All rural areas of Turkmenistan brought on line

By 1979, all rural areas of Turkmenistan were connected to the electrical grid.

July 1983: Record Temperature in Kerki

In July 1983, Kerki recorded a temperature of 51.7 °C (125.1 °F), although this value is unofficial.

1985: Niyazov becomes head of the Communist Party

In 1985, Saparmurat Niyazov became head of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR.

1987: Mary thermal power plant completed

By 1987, the eighth and final generator block was completed at the Mary thermal power plant, bringing the plant to its design capacity of 1.686 gigawatts.

1989: Natural gas production reached 90 billion cubic meters

In 1989, natural gas production reached 90 billion cubic meters.

1989: Percentage of ethnic Russians

The percentage of ethnic Russians in Turkmenistan dropped to 9.5% in 1989.

1990: Declaration of sovereignty

In 1990, the Supreme Soviet of Turkmenistan declared sovereignty as a nationalist response to perceived exploitation by Moscow.

1990: Efforts to Regain Cultural Heritage

Since 1990, efforts have been made in Turkmenistan to regain some of the cultural heritage that was lost under Soviet rule.

October 1991: National referendum approves independence

In October 1991, a national referendum approved Turkmenistan's independence due to the fragmentation of the Soviet Union.

October 1991: Declaration of independence

Turkmenistan declared its independence on 27 October 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

On 26 December 1991, the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist.

1991: Collective- and state farms were converted

Following independence in 1991, Soviet-era collective- and state farms in Turkmenistan were converted to "farmers associations".

1991: One-party state

From 1991 to 2012, Turkmenistan was a one-party state.

1991: Independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union

In 1991, Turkmenistan gained independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

1991: Independence from the Soviet Union

Since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan has been ruled by repressive totalitarian regimes.

1991: Independence referendum and adoption of constitutional law

Turkmenistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union after the independence referendum in 1991 and subsequently adopted a constitutional law on 27 October establishing the new state name as Turkmenistan.

1992: Constitution of Turkmenistan

In 1992, Article 47 in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, states that some cities may have the status of welaýat or etrap.

1992: Niyazov dominates presidential election

In 1992, Saparmurat Niyazov dominated the presidential election as the only candidate allowed to run, securing his position as chief of state.

1992: Turkmen is the official language

Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan per the 1992 Constitution.

1993: Government-provided utilities free of charge

From 1993, citizens of Turkmenistan received government-provided electricity, water and natural gas free of charge.

1993: Shift to the Latin alphabet

In 1993, the government of Turkmenistan shifted to the Latin alphabet.

1994: Referendum abolishes re-election requirements

A 1994 referendum abolished further requirements for the president to stand for re-election.

1994: Earthquake in the Kopet Dag Range

In 1994, a strong earthquake occurred in the Kopet Dag Range.

1995: UN recognition of permanent neutrality

In 1995, Turkmenistan's declaration of "permanent neutrality" was formally recognized by the United Nations.

1995: Legal Installation of satellite dishes

Since 1995 communications receiving antennas(satellite dishes) had been legally installed.

1995: Last census to be published in full was held

The last census to be published in full in Turkmenistan was held in 1995.

1996: Russian lost its status

In 1996, Russian lost its status as the language of inter-ethnic communication in Turkmenistan.

1997: Korpeje-Gurtguy natural gas pipeline

In 1997, the Korpeje-Gurtguy natural gas pipeline was built to Iran.

1998: Economic challenges

Between 1998, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt.

1998: Turkmenenergo commissions its first gas-turbine power plant

In 1998, Turkmenenergo commissioned its first gas-turbine power plant, using GE turbines.

December 1999: Niyazov declared President for Life

On 28 December 1999, Saparmurat Niyazov was declared President for Life of Turkmenistan by the Mejlis (parliament).

1999: Language Spoken

As of 1999, Turkmen was spoken by 72% of the population, Russian by 12% (349,000), Uzbek by 9% (317,000), and other languages by 7%.

1999: Suspension of the death penalty

In 1999, Turkmenistan suspended the use of the death penalty.

1999: Legislation abolishes re-election requirements

Legislation in 1999 abolished further requirements for the president to stand for re-election, effectively making Niyazov president for life.

February 2001: Population data announced

According to official data announced in Ashgabat in February 2001, 91% of the population were Turkmen, 3% were Uzbeks and 2% were Russians.

September 2001: Limited support to the military campaign against the Taliban

Following the 11 September 2001 attacks, Turkmenistan offered limited support to the military campaign against the Taliban.

2001: Publication of Ruhnama Volume

In 2001, President Niyazov published the first volume of his religious text, the Ruhnama ("Book of the Soul").

2002: Tension with Uzbekistan

Between 2002 and 2004, serious tension arose between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan due to bilateral disputes and Niyazov's implication that Uzbekistan had a role in the 2002 assassination attempt.

2002: Economic challenges

Between 2002, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt.

2002: Alleged assassination attempt and new restrictions

In 2002, an alleged assassination attempt against President Niyazov led to increased security restrictions, dismissals of government officials, and limitations on the media.

August 2003: Subsidies for utilities

According to a decree of the Peoples' Council of August 2003, electricity, natural gas, water and salt were to have been subsidized for citizens until 2030.

2003: CIA World Factbook estimated the ethnic composition

In 2003, the CIA World Factbook estimated the ethnic composition of Turkmenistan as 85% Turkmen, 5% Uzbek, 4% Russian and 6% other.

December 2004: Parliamentary elections with only Niyazov's party represented

In the parliamentary elections of December 2004 and January 2005, only Niyazov's party was represented, and no international monitors participated.

2004: Second Volume of Ruhnama Published

In 2004, President Niyazov published the second volume of his religious text, the Ruhnama.

2004: Turkmenistan at AFC Asian Cup

In 2004, the Turkmenistan national football team appeared at the AFC Asian Cup, but failed to advance past the group stage.

January 2005: Niyazov closes hospitals and libraries outside Ashgabat

In January 2005, Niyazov exercised his dictatorial power by closing all hospitals outside Ashgabat and all rural libraries.

April 2006: Global Witness Report on Currency Reserves

In April 2006, a report by Global Witness voiced concern over the management of Turkmenistan's currency reserves.

December 2006: Death of Niyazov

Following the death of Niyazov in December 2006, Turkmenistan began tentative moves to open up the country.

2006: Death of President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov

President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov (also known as Türkmenbaşy or "Head of the Turkmens") ruled Turkmenistan until his death in 2006.

2006: Death of Saparmurat Niyazov

Saparmurat Niyazov, who had ruled Turkmenistan since 1985, died in 2006.

2006: Intensification of arbitrary policies and isolation

The year 2006 saw intensification of arbitrary policy changes, shuffling of top officials, diminishing economic output outside the oil and gas sector, and isolation from regional and world organizations.

February 2007: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow wins special presidential election

In early February 2007, Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow won a non-democratic special presidential election after being named interim head of government.

2007: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow becomes president

In 2007, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow became president of Turkmenistan after winning a non-democratic election.

2007: Restoration of 10-Year Education

President Berdimuhamedov restored 10-year education in Turkmenistan as of the 2007–2008 school year.

2007: Change in Orthodox Church Jurisdiction

Until 2007, the Orthodox Church in Turkmenistan fell under the religious jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox archbishop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but since then has been subordinate to the Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessia.

September 2008: Adoption of a new Constitution

In September 2008, the People's Council unanimously passed a resolution adopting a new Constitution, which permitted the formation of multiple political parties.

December 2008: Abolition of the People's Council

In December 2008, the new Constitution led to the abolition of the People's Council and a significant increase in the size of Parliament.

2008: Citizens emigrated permanently

According to leaked results of a 2018 survey, between 2008 and 2018 1,879,413 Turkmenistani citizens emigrated permanently out of an estimated base population of 5.4 million.

2008: Constitution of Turkmenistan

In 2008, Article 16 in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, states that some cities may have the status of welaýat or etrap.

2008: Formal abolishment of the death penalty

In 2008, Turkmenistan formally abolished the death penalty.

2008: Restoration of 10-Year Education

President Berdimuhamedov restored 10-year education in Turkmenistan as of the 2007–2008 school year.

December 2009: Trans-Asia pipeline to China opened

In December 2009, the first line of the Trans-Asia pipeline to China opened.

2009: Religious Demographics in Turkmenistan

In 2009, a Pew Research Center report stated that 93.1% of Turkmenistan's population was Muslim.

2009: Diversifying export routes for raw materials

In 2009, the government of Turkmenistan began a policy of diversifying export routes for its raw materials.

2010: Turkmenistan featured eight major power plants

As of 2010, Turkmenistan featured eight major power plants operating on natural gas, located in Mary, Ashgabat, Balkanabat, Buzmeyin, Dashoguz, Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenabat, and Seydi.

May 2011: Galkynysh Gas Field

As of May 2011, the Galkynysh Gas Field was estimated to possess the second-largest volume of gas in the world.

2011: Power output in Turkmenistan

In 2011, power output in Turkmenistan was 18.27 billion kWh, of which 2.5 billion kWh was exported.

August 2012: Establishment of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

In August 2012, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs was established in Turkmenistan.

2012: Berdimuhamedow wins non-democratic election

Berdimuhamedow won an additional non-democratic election in 2012 with approximately 97% of the vote.

2012: Machinery used in Turkmenistan

In 2012, around 7,000 tractors, 5,000 cotton cultivators, 2,200 sewing machines and other machinery, mainly procured from Belarus and the United States, were used in Turkmenistan.

2012: Results of the 2012 census

Opposition media reported that some results of the 2012 census had been surreptitiously released, including a total population number of 4,751,120. According to this source, as of 2012 85.6% of the population was ethnically Turkmen, followed by 5.8% ethnic Uzbek and 5.1% ethnic Russian.

2013: Turkmenistan had 10 electrical power plants

As of 2013, Turkmenistan had 10 electrical power plants equipped with 32 turbines, including 14 steam-driven, 15 gas powered, and 3 hydroelectric.

2013: Expansion of General Education

Effective 2013, general education in Turkmenistan was expanded to three stages lasting 12 years.

2013: Canadian explorer examines Darvaza gas crater

In 2013 Canadian explorer George Kourounis examined the Darvaza gas crater and believed that no one actually knew how it started.

2013: First multi-party parliamentary elections

In 2013, the first multi-party parliamentary elections were held in Turkmenistan, though they were widely seen as rigged.

2013: Additional power plants were constructed

Since 2013, additional power plants have been constructed in Mary and Ahal province, and Çärjew District of Lebap province.

2014: World Press Freedom Index

In 2014, Reporters Without Borders's World Press Freedom Index indicated Turkmenistan had the 3rd worst press freedom conditions globally (178/180 countries).

2014: Collapse of hydrocarbon and cotton prices

In 2014, the collapse of both hydrocarbon and cotton prices cut revenues from export sales severely.

January 2015: Figures on national minorities

In January 2015, an official Turkmen delegation reported to the UN some different figures on national minorities, including slightly under 9% ethnic Uzbek, 2.2% ethnic Russian, and 0.4% ethnic Kazakh.

April 2015: Turkmenistan bans satellite dishes

In April 2015, despite launching the TurkmenSat 1 communication satellite the same month, the Turkmen government banned all satellite dishes in Turkmenistan to block access to independent international media outlets.

December 2015: East–West pipeline completion

In December 2015, the East–West pipeline was completed.

2015: Gas delivery to China

By 2015 Turkmenistan was delivering up to 35 billion cubic meters per annum (bcma) to China.

2015: Trade Deficits

From 2015, Turkmenistan started to run trade deficits.

2015: TAPI pipeline construction started

In 2015, Turkmenistan's section of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI) was started.

January 2016: Russia halts natural gas purchases

On 1 January 2016, Russia halted natural gas purchases from Turkmenistan.

January 2017: Turkmenistan cuts off gas deliveries to Iran

On 1 January 2017, Turkmengaz unilaterally cut off natural gas deliveries to Iran, citing payment arrears.

2017: Berdimuhamedow wins another non-democratic election

Berdimuhamedow won another non-democratic election in 2017 with approximately 97% of the vote.

2017: 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

In 2017, Turkmenistan hosted the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

2017: Trade Deficits

Through 2017, Turkmenistan ran trade deficits.

February 2018: New Turkmenabat International Airport commissioned

The new Turkmenabat International Airport was commissioned in February 2018.

May 2018: Expansion of Turkmenbashy seaport completed

In May 2018, construction was completed of a major expansion of the Turkmenbashy seaport. The expansion added 17 million tons of annual capacity.

October 2018: Ban on export of raw cotton

Prior to imposition of a ban on export of raw cotton in October 2018, Turkmenistan exported raw cotton to Russia, Iran, South Korea, United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Ukraine, Singapore and the Baltic states.

2018: Citizens emigrated permanently

According to leaked results of a 2018 survey, between 2008 and 2018 1,879,413 Turkmenistani citizens emigrated permanently out of an estimated base population of 5.4 million.

2018: People's Council served as the upper chamber of the National Council of Turkmenistan

From 2018 to 2023 it was the upper chamber of the National Council of Turkmenistan.

2018: 2018 World Weightlifting Championships

In 2018, Turkmenistan hosted the World Weightlifting Championships.

2018: Electrical power production totaled more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours

In 2018, electrical power production in Turkmenistan totaled more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours.

2018: OSCE election observer mission

The 2018 OSCE election observer mission noted findings regarding the Turkmen legislature.

2018: Mary-3 combined cycle power plant commissioned

The Mary-3 combined cycle power plant, built by Çalık Holding with GE turbines, was commissioned in 2018. It produces 1.574 gigawatts of electrical power and is specifically intended to support expanded exports of electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

January 2019: Abolishment of utility subsidies

As of 1 January 2019, Turkmenistan abolished subsidies for electricity, natural gas, water, and salt.

January 2019: Turkmen Automobile Roads state concern subordinated

As of January 2019, the Turkmen Automobile Roads state concern (Türkmenawtoýollary) was subordinated by presidential decree to the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, and responsibility for road construction and maintenance was shifted to provincial and municipal governments.

April 2019: Gazprom resumes purchases

In April 2019, Russia's Gazprom announced resumption of natural gas purchases from Turkmenistan.

2019: First electrical power plant still in operation

As of 2019, Turkmenistan's first electrical power plant was still in operation.

2019: Turkmen Students in Education

At the end of the 2019–20 academic year, nearly 80,000 Turkmen pupils graduated from high school, with 12,242 admitted to institutions of higher education in Turkmenistan and an estimated 95,000 enrolled abroad as of Autumn 2019.

2019: Citizens emigrated abroad

Based on data from receiving countries, MeteoZhurnal estimated that at least 102,346 Turkmenistani citizens emigrated abroad in 2019, 78% of them to Turkey, and 24,206 apparently returned home, for net migration of 77,014.

2019: Shift to export of cotton yarn and finished textiles and garments

Beginning in 2019, the Turkmenistan government shifted focus to export of cotton yarn and finished textiles and garments.

2019: China bought over 30bcm of gas from Turkmenistan

In 2019, China bought over 30bcm of gas from Turkmenistan, making China Turkmenistan's main external source of revenue.

2019: TAPI pipeline section completed

In 2019, Turkmenistan's section of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI) was completed.

2019: Oil production

In 2019, oil production in Turkmenistan was 9.8 million tons.

2019: Turkmenistan at AFC Asian Cup

In 2019, the Turkmenistan national football team appeared at the AFC Asian Cup, but failed to advance past the group stage.

2019: End of free utilities

In 2019, the government stopped providing electricity, water, and natural gas free of charge to its citizens.

2019: Imprisonment of Isgender Mulikov for corruption

In 2019, the national chief of police, Minister of Internal Affairs Isgender Mulikov, was convicted and imprisoned for corruption.

2019: Wheat and cotton area planted

In 2019, the top crop in Turkmenistan in terms of area planted was wheat (761 thousand hectares), followed by cotton (551 thousand hectares).

2019: Unemployment Rate

In 2019, the unemployment rate in Turkmenistan was estimated to be 4.27%.

2019: Electrical energy generation reported

In 2019, total electrical energy generation in Turkmenistan reportedly totaled 22,521.6 million kilowatt-hours (22.52 terawatt-hours).

2019: Methane leak

In 2019/20, 6 billion dollars worth of methane, a greenhouse gas which causes climate change, was estimated to leak.

2019: Foreign tourists arrival

Turkmenistan reported arrival of 14,438 foreign tourists in 2019.

December 2020: Ashgabat-Tejen highway phase completion

The Ashgabat-Tejen phase of the new toll motorway under construction between Ashgabat and Turkmenabat by the Turkmen Awtoban company was scheduled to be completed by December 2020.

2020: Cotton production

During the 2020 season, Turkmenistan reportedly produced roughly 1.5 million tons of raw cotton.

2020: Dismissal of Pürli Agamyradow

In 2020, the deputy prime minister for education and science, Pürli Agamyradow, was dismissed for failure to control bribery in education.

2020: U.S. Department of State human rights report

The U.S. Department of State stated in its 2020-human rights report on Turkmenistan...

January 2021: Internet Usage in Turkmenistan

As of January 27, 2021, Turkmenistan reported an estimated 1,265,794 internet users, which is roughly 21% of the total population.

January 2021: Agreement with Azerbaijan to jointly develop an oil field

On 21 January 2021, the governments of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop an oil field in the Caspian Sea.

March 2021: The Assembly became the lower house of the National Council of Turkmenistan

Between March 2021 and 21 January 2023 the Assembly was the lower house of the now defunct bicameral National Council of Turkmenistan.

June 2021: International airport opened in Kerki

In June 2021, an international airport was opened in Kerki.

July 2021: Opposition media reported

In July 2021 opposition media reported, based on three independent anonymous sources, that the population of Turkmenistan was between 2.7 and 2.8 million.

September 2021: Zerger power plant commissioned

In September 2021, the Zerger power plant built by Sumitomo, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and Rönesans Holding in Çärjew District was commissioned. It has a design capacity of 432 megawatts from three 144-megawatt gas turbines and is primarily intended for export of electricity.

2021: Number of Russians in Turkmenistan was estimated

As of 2021, the number of Russians in Turkmenistan was estimated at 100,000.

2021: Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2021, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Turkmenistan in a tie for 169th place globally.

January 2022: President orders extinguishment of Darvaza gas crater fire

In January 2022 President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow ordered that the fire at the Darvaza gas crater, known informally as the country's "Gateway to Hell", should be extinguished for environmental and health reasons, as well as part of efforts to increase gas exports.

March 2022: Serdar Berdimuhamedov sworn in as President

On 19 March 2022, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was sworn in as Turkmenistan's new president to succeed his father.

November 2022: Black-market exchange rate for the Turkmen manat

In November 2022, the black-market exchange rate for the Turkmen manat was reportedly trading at 18.5 manats to the US dollar.

December 2022: National census conducted

A once-in-a-decade national census was conducted 17–27 December 2022 in Turkmenistan.

December 2022: Tejen-Mary highway phase completion

The Tejen-Mary phase of the new toll motorway under construction between Ashgabat and Turkmenabat by the Turkmen Awtoban company was scheduled to be completed by December 2022.

2022: Citizens traveled abroad

Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev stated publicly in August 2023 that in 2022 267,330 Turkmenistan citizens had traveled abroad, but without indicating either how many of these had emigrated or how many had returned.

2022: Berdimuhamedow succeeded by his son Serdar

In 2022, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was succeeded by his son Serdar as president of Turkmenistan.

2022: Serdar Berdimuhamedow wins presidential election

In 2022, Serdar Berdimuhamedow won a presidential election described by international observers as neither free nor fair and now shares power with his father.

2022: Total figure for the 2022 census was released

In 2022, a total figure for the census was released in Turkmenistan.

January 2023: The Assembly became the unicameral legislature of Turkmenistan

Since January 2023, the Assembly (Turkmen: Mejlis) became the unicameral legislature of Turkmenistan.

July 2023: Results of the 2022 census published

According to the official results of the 2022 census published in July 2023, the population of Turkmenistan was 7,057,841.

August 2023: Citizens traveled abroad

December 2023: Mary-Turkmenabat highway phase completion

The Mary-Turkmenabat phase of the new toll motorway under construction between Ashgabat and Turkmenabat by the Turkmen Awtoban company was scheduled to be completed by December 2023.

2023: People's Council

In 2023 the People's Council of Turkmenistan remains the independent "representative body" exerting supreme constitutional authority.

2023: Turkmenistan's quota on gas pipeline

In 2023, the Turkmenistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Turkmenistan's quota on this pipeline system was 40 bcma.

2024: Global Peace Index

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Turkmenistan is the 83rd most peaceful country in the world.

2030: Planned end of utility subsidies

According to a decree from 2003, electricity, natural gas, water, and salt were to have been subsidized for citizens until 2030, but were later abolished in 2019.