Country Profile: Yemen

Yemen, located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, is characterized by its rugged terrain and a predominantly desert climate. The country has a population of approximately 34.5 million as of 2025, with a significant youth demographic contributing to a high birth rate. Yemen's economy, primarily dependent on oil and gas, has faced severe challenges due to ongoing civil conflict, leading to rampant poverty and food insecurity. Governed in a state of transition, Yemen continues to seek stability amidst various political and military upheavals.

Geography

Yemen is situated in the Middle East, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the south and the Red Sea to the west, flanked by Oman and Saudi Arabia. It encompasses a total area of 527,968 square kilometers, with a coastline of 1,906 kilometers. The country's terrain ranges from narrow coastal plains to rugged mountains, with a significant portion categorized as desert. Yemen's strategic location at the Bab el Mandeb strait positions it as a critical point for global shipping routes.

34.4% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
The highest point is Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb at 3,666 meters.
44.4% of land is agricultural, with 2.2% being arable land (2023 est.).
Limited freshwater resources exacerbate environmental challenges.
The region experiences significant natural hazards including sandstorms.

People and Society

Yemen has an estimated population of 34.5 million as of 2025, predominantly Arab, with diverse ethnic groups including Afro-Arab and South Asian communities. Arabic is the official language, and nearly the entire population adheres to Islam, with a mix of Sunni and Shia sects. The country has a young population, with a median age of 20.5 years. Urbanization is increasing, with about 39.8% of the population living in urban areas.

99.1% of the population is Muslim.
The birth rate stands at 29.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.).
The infant mortality rate is 42.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.).
63.9% of women aged 15-49 are currently married (2023 est.).
Literacy for females is approximately 54.1% (2023 est.).

Economy

Yemen's economy is classified as low-income, heavily reliant on oil and gas revenues, which are in decline due to conflict and depletion of resources. The GDP per capita is estimated at $200 for 2024, reflecting the severe economic challenges faced by citizens. Inflation remains a critical issue, with rates at 29.1% in 2022. The ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure and led to high levels of poverty and unemployment.

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $18.719 billion for 2024.
17.1% is the unemployment rate for 2024.
Agricultural output includes mangoes, potatoes, and milk, contributing 28.7% to GDP (2018 est.).
The labor force is approximately 7.848 million (2024 est.).
Remittances contributed 20.05% of GDP in 2023.

Government

Yemen is currently in a state of political transition, with a Presidential Leadership Council established in 2022. The capital city is Sanaa, and the government is characterized by a mixed legal system that incorporates Islamic law. Yemen has faced significant political instability, with several changes in leadership since the onset of conflict in 2011.

22 governorates are administered under Yemen's political divisions.
The legal voting age is 18 years.
The most recent legitimate elections were held in 2012.
The country celebrates Unification Day on May 22.
There are 5 World Heritage Sites, highlighting Yemen’s rich cultural heritage.

Military and Security

Yemen's military structure includes various branches, with notable forces such as the Yemeni National Army and Houthi forces. The ongoing conflict has led to a fragmentation of military loyalty, with many personnel defecting to different factions. The military's primary focus includes combating Houthi forces as well as terrorist groups such as al-Qa'ida.

The legal minimum age for military service is 18 years.
Yemeni forces primarily utilize older weapon systems, largely from foreign suppliers.
70% of military forces defected during the conflict between 2011 and 2015.

Energy

Yemen's energy sector is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, with a significant portion of its electricity generation capacity being sourced from oil and gas. The country has made limited advancements in renewable energy, particularly solar power, which constitutes about 17% of the installed capacity.

76% of the population had access to electricity by 2022.
The total installed electricity generating capacity is 1.79 million kW (2023 est.).
Approximately 2.579 billion kWh of electricity is consumed annually (2023 est.).

Environment

Yemen faces numerous environmental challenges, including limited freshwater resources, overgrazing, and desertification. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements but is struggling to manage its natural resources effectively.

44.4% of land is utilized for agriculture (2023 est.).
2.1 billion cubic meters is the total renewable water resource available (2022 est.).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Yemen includes a modest number of airports and ports, vital for trade and travel, especially given the coastline along active shipping lanes.

Yemen has 37 airports (2025).
The country operates 10 major ports, including key locations like Aden and Al Mukalla.

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Yemen shows limited development, with a relatively low percentage of internet penetration. Mobile cellular subscriptions are on the rise, reflecting growing connectivity.

There are approximately 20 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
Internet usage stands at 14% of the population (2020 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,505,496	2025 est.
Area	527,968 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$18.719 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	17.1%	2024 est.
Birth Rate	29.07 births/1,000	2025 est.
Infant Mortality Rate	42.4 deaths/1,000	2025 est.
Electricity Access	76%	2022 est.
Total Fertility Rate	3.65 children/woman	2025 est.