Country Profile: Yemen

Yemen, located in the Middle East, is bordered by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, sharing land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. The country, with a population of over 32 million, faces severe economic challenges, including poverty and high unemployment, exacerbated by ongoing civil conflict. Despite its rich cultural heritage and strategic geographic position, Yemen’s governance has been unstable, shifting from a republic to a transitional government amid civil strife.

Geography

Yemen's diverse geography includes a narrow coastal plain, rugged mountains, and expansive deserts. The country covers an area of 527,968 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming. It is characterized by a predominantly arid climate, with hot temperatures and limited rainfall affecting agricultural viability.

1,906 km of coastline along the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.
44.4% of land used for agriculture; however, only 2.2% of it is arable.
3,666 m is the height of the highest peak, Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb.
Natural resources include petroleum, fish, and rock salt.

People and Society

Yemen has a population of approximately 32.14 million people, predominantly of Arab descent, with Arabic as the official language. The nation exhibits a youthful demographic with a median age of 22 years and a significant portion of the population under the age of 15. The country is primarily Muslim, with an estimated 99.1% practicing the religion, split between Sunni and Shia sects.

39.8% of the population lives in urban areas as of 2023.
Youth dependency ratio stands at 66 (2024 est.).
23.4 births/1,000 population reported in 2024.
Infant mortality rate of 44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.).

Economy

Yemen's economy is classified as low-income and heavily reliant on oil and gas, though these resources are declining. The civil war has devastated infrastructure and economic institutions, resulting in widespread poverty and food insecurity. In 2023, remittances constituted 20.05% of GDP.

$21.61 billion GDP (2018 est.) at the official exchange rate.
17.1% unemployment rate projected for 2024.
Agricultural sector contributes 28.7% to GDP.
$1.25 billion in foreign exchange and gold reserves as of 2022.

Government

Yemen operates as a republic in transition following a turbulent political history. The capital is Sanaa, and governance has shifted to a Presidential Leadership Council since 2022. The nation has yet to stabilize its political framework fully, with ongoing challenges to its legislative and executive branches.

The last presidential election was held on 21 February 2012.
22 governorates make up its administrative divisions.
The current head of state is Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-ALIMI (since 19 April 2022).
Legal systems incorporate elements of Islamic law and English common law.

Military and Security

The Yemeni Armed Forces consist of multiple branches, including the National Army and various paramilitary groups. The ongoing conflict has seen factions with diverse loyalties, including government forces and Houthi rebels, making the military landscape complex and fragmented.

Military service is voluntary starting at age 18; conscription was abolished in 2001.
The government military focuses on internal security and defending against Houthi forces.
International involvement includes a coalition led by Saudi Arabia established in 2015.

Energy

Yemen's energy sector is primarily dependent on fossil fuels, which account for 83% of its installed electricity generation capacity. The country also has significant natural gas reserves, with proven reserves estimated at 478.6 billion cubic meters.

76% of the population has electricity access (2022).
Electricity generation in 2023 includes 1.79 million kW of installed capacity.
Daily petroleum production is around 15,000 bbl as of 2023.

Transportation

Yemen maintains an extensive transportation network despite the ongoing conflict. The country has multiple ports and airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel and trade.

37 airports available as of 2025.
A total of 10 significant ports, with Aden being a key maritime hub.
The merchant marine consists of 30 vessels as of 2023.

Communications

Yemen's communication infrastructure faces challenges due to the civil conflict, but there is a growing number of mobile subscriptions and internet users.

20 million mobile cellular subscriptions reported in 2023.
Internet users make up 14% of the population as of 2020.
Fixed telephone subscriptions total 728,000 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	32,140,443	2024 estimate
Area	527,968 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$21.606 billion	2018 estimate at official exchange rate
Unemployment Rate	17.1%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.987 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	23.4 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	68.2 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	76%	2022 estimate
Infant Mortality Rate	44.6 deaths/1,000 live births	2024 estimate
Remittances	20.05% of GDP	2023 estimate