Country Profile: Yemen

Yemen, located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is bordered by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. The country has a diverse topography that includes coastal plains, rugged mountains, and vast deserts. With a population estimated at 34.5 million in 2025, Yemen has one of the youngest demographics in the world, characterized by high birth rates and a population growth rate of 2.22%. The economy is largely dependent on oil and gas, but faces significant challenges due to civil unrest, poverty, and food insecurity.

Geography

Yemen occupies a strategic location in the Middle East, linked by the Bab el Mandeb strait to the Red Sea. It features a variety of geographical structures, from its coastal plains to mountainous terrain, and is known for its harsh desert climate in the east.

Area: 527,968 sq km
Coastline: 1,906 km
Highest Point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb at 3,666 m
Land Boundaries: 1,601 km shared with Oman and Saudi Arabia
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, fish, and small deposits of metals

People and Society

The population of Yemen is predominantly Arab, with a rich cultural diversity that includes Afro-Arab and South Asian communities. The official language is Arabic, and Islam is the predominant religion, comprising 99.1% of the population. Yemen has a youthful population with a median age of 20.5 years.

Population: 34,505,496 (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 39.8% (2023)
Birth Rate: 29.07 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 54.1% (female, 2023 est.)
Life Expectancy: 68.2 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Yemen's economy is classified as low-income and is severely impacted by ongoing conflict, leading to significant infrastructure damage and a heavy reliance on oil and gas. Inflation is high, and unemployment remains a critical issue, especially among youth.

GDP (PPP): $18.719 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $200 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 17.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 29.1% (2022 est.)
Labor Force: 7.848 million (2024 est.)

Government

Yemen is currently in a transitional phase of governance due to ongoing conflicts. The Republic of Yemen was formed in 1990 through the unification of North and South Yemen. The country has a mixed legal system incorporating Islamic and civil law.

Capital: Sanaa
Government Type: In transition
Executive Leadership: Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-ALIMI (Chairperson of the Presidential Leadership Council)
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Administrative Divisions: 22 governorates

Military and Security

Yemen's military is composed of various branches, including the Yemeni National Army and Navy. The ongoing conflict has seen significant defections and the involvement of regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Military Service Age: 18 years
Major Armed Forces: Includes the Yemeni National Army and various militia groups
External Threats: Active terrorist groups like AQAP and ISIS
Military Equipment: Primarily older foreign-supplied systems

Energy

Yemen's energy sector is predominantly based on fossil fuels, but the country is also developing its solar energy capabilities. However, access to electricity is limited, particularly in rural areas.

Electricity Access: 76% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 1.79 million kW (2023 est.)
Fossil Fuels: 83% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 10.286 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Petroleum Production: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Yemen faces significant environmental challenges, including limited freshwater resources and desertification. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at combating these issues.

Total Water Withdrawal: 3.235 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Urban Population: 39.8% (2023)
Environmental Issues: Overgrazing, soil erosion, and inadequate water supplies

Transportation

Yemen has a limited transportation infrastructure, largely affected by the ongoing conflicts. The transportation system includes several airports and a merchant marine fleet.

Airports: 37 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 30 vessels (2023)
Total Ports: 10 (including key ports like Aden and Al Mukalla)

Communications

Communication facilities in Yemen are developing but remain limited due to the ongoing conflict, with a low percentage of the population having internet access.

Mobile Subscriptions: 20 million (2023)
Internet Users: 14% of the population (2020 est.)
Fixed-Line Telephones: 728,000 subscriptions (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,505,496	2025 estimate
Area	527,968 sq km	Total area of Yemen
GDP (PPP)	$18.719 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	17.1%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	29.07 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	68.2 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	76%	Total population (2022 estimate)
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.987 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Urban Population	39.8%	2023 estimate