Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier because of its high chemical energy, environmental friendliness and renewability. In order to realize the safe, efficient and compact hydrogen storage, various solid-state hydrogen storage materials based on the physisorption or chemisorption of hydrogen have been developed over the past decades. Among them, magnesium hydride, MgH2, is identified as one of the most promising candidates due to its high hydrogen storage density, low cost and abundance of Mg element. However, the sluggish kinetics and high thermodynamic stability of MgH2 result in its high operation temperature and low hydrogen sorption rate, impeding its practical application. In this article, the recent progress in catalysis and nanoconfinement effects on the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 is comprehensively reviewed. In particular, the synergetic roles of catalysis and nanoconfinement in MgH2 are highlighted. Furthermore, the future challenges and prospects of emerging research for MgH2 are discussed. It is suggested that the nonmetal-doped porous carbon materials could be a class of ideal additives to enhance the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 by the synergetic effects of catalysis and nanoconfinement. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.