Country Profile: Yemen

Yemen, located in the Middle East, is bordered by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, sharing its borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. Its population is predominantly Arab, with a significant minority of Afro-Arab and South Asian descent. Economically, Yemen faces a dire situation due to ongoing civil strife, characterized by a low-income economy highly dependent on dwindling oil and gas resources, exacerbated by widespread poverty and food insecurity. The country's governance is in a state of transition, with ongoing peace efforts and a complex political landscape shaped by historical grievances and recent conflicts.

Geography

Yemen's geographical landscape consists of a narrow coastal plain, flat-topped hills, and rugged mountains, providing a stark contrast to the vast desert expanses in the east. The country occupies an area of approximately 527,968 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming. Yemen's strategic location at the Bab el Mandeb strait is vital as it connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

1,906 km of coastline.
1,601 km of land boundaries shared with Oman (294 km) and Saudi Arabia (1,307 km).
44.4% of land is used for agriculture as of 2023.
Home to Yemen's highest point, Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb, at 3,666 m.

People and Society

The estimated population of Yemen is about 34.5 million (2025), with a youthful demographic profile: around 34.4% are aged 0-14 years. The country has a high birth rate of 29.07 births per 1,000 population. The majority of Yemenis are Muslim, consisting of 65% Sunni and 35% Shia. The urbanization rate stands at 39.8%, reflecting ongoing challenges amidst armed conflict.

2.22% population growth rate (2025 estimate).
68.2 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
0.1 physicians per 1,000 people as of 2023.
20.5 years is the median age of the population (2025 estimate).

Economy

Yemen's economy is characterized by low income, largely due to damage from civil war and reliance on dwindling oil and gas reserves. The GDP (PPP) is estimated to be $18.719 billion in 2024, with a per capita GDP of $200. The unemployment rate is notably high at 17.1% (2024 estimate). Agriculture plays a significant role, contributing about 28.7% to the economy, despite challenges in food security and infrastructural deficits.

17.4% unemployment rate in 2022.
$1.251 billion in foreign exchange and gold reserves (2022 estimate).
20.05% of GDP from remittances (2023).
$8.278 billion GDP at official exchange rate (2024).

Government

Yemen operates under a mixed legal system influenced by Islamic law, common law, and customary law, navigating through a transitional government established in 2022. The capital city is Sanaa, which has been a focal point of conflict. The country includes 22 governorates, and the political landscape remains highly fragmented, with multiple parties and factions engaged in ongoing struggles for power and governance.

18 years is the voting age for suffrage.
National holiday celebrated on 22 May, marking unification.
0% representation of women in the House of Representatives.
The Presidential Leadership Council serves as the current executive body.

Military and Security

Yemen’s military consists of various branches, including the National Army and various militias, amid a backdrop of ongoing conflict with groups like the Houthis and al-Qaida. The security situation remains complex, with both external and internal threats influencing military priorities and operations.

70% of Yemen's military and security forces reportedly defected during the 2011-2015 conflict.
The minimum legal age for military service is 18 years (2025).
30 naval vessels are part of the merchant marine (2023).

Energy

Energy in Yemen relies heavily on fossil fuels, with 83% of electricity generated from these sources. As of 2022, approximately 76% of the population has electricity access. Yemen's energy infrastructure suffers from significant losses in transmission and distribution.

1.79 million kW of installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
15,000 bbl/day total petroleum production (2023).
58,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023).

Environment

Yemen faces numerous environmental challenges including limited freshwater resources and soil erosion. The arid climate, characterized by deserts and hot temperatures, poses significant agricultural risks. The nation is a party to various international environmental agreements, although it continues to struggle with issues of desertification and inadequate water supply.

44.4% of land used for agriculture (2023).
Annual municipal solid waste generation projected at 4.837 million tons (2024).
Total renewable water resources estimated at 2.1 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Yemen's transportation infrastructure includes 37 airports and 10 ports, playing a crucial role in an economy heavily reliant on maritime trade. The challenges include difficulties stemming from continuing conflict and infrastructure degradation.

30 vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
6 heliports as of 2025.

Communications

Communication infrastructure in Yemen remains underdeveloped, with limited internet access and mobile subscriptions. Only about 14% of the population are internet users, which presents challenges for connectivity in both urban and rural areas.

20 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
728,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,505,496	Estimated 2025
Area	527,968 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$18.719 billion	Estimated 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.987 million Btu/person	Estimated 2023
Birth Rate	29.07 births/1,000 population	Estimated 2025
Unemployment Rate	17.1%	Estimated 2024
Life Expectancy	68.2 years	Estimated 2024
Total Fertility Rate	3.65 children/woman	Estimated 2025
Literacy Rate (Female)	54.1%	Estimated 2023
Refugees	60,921	Estimated 2024