Yemen is a country in the Middle East, located on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a population of over 30 million people and its capital is Sana'a. Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world and has been plagued by political instability and conflict for many years.

Yemen's history dates back to ancient times, with the ancient civilization of the Sabaeans centered in what is now modern-day Yemen. Yemen was also an important center of trade and commerce in the Middle Ages, with its strategic location along important trade routes.

In the modern era, Yemen was divided into two separate countries, North Yemen and South Yemen, until they were united in 1990. Yemen has faced many challenges since unification, including poverty, political instability, and terrorism.

In 2011, Yemen was swept up in the Arab Spring protests that saw widespread unrest and political change across the Middle East. Protests led to the ousting of long-time president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the eventual establishment of a new government.

However, Yemen has remained embroiled in conflict, with a civil war that began in 2015. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance and many displaced from their homes.

Yemen is also facing other challenges, including a struggling economy, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. Despite these challenges, Yemen is home to a rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes, including the historic city of Sana'a, the stunning Socotra Island, and the beautiful Haraz Mountains.

Telephone Code
967

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 191; Fire: 191; Police: 194

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Yemen is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Climate
Mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east

Currency (Code)
Yemeni rials (YER)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, D, G

Major Languages
Arabic

Major Religions
Muslim 99.1% (estimated 65% are Sunni and 35% are Shia), other 0.9% (includes Jewish, Baha'i, Hindu, and Christian)

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Al-Saleh Mosque; Old City of Sanaa; Socotra Island; Qalansiya Beach; Al Mukalla Harbor; Gulf of Aden, Shibam, Seiyun Palace, Thula Village

Major Sports
Soccer, boxing, mountain climbing

Cultural Practices
Yemenis greatly respect titles and positions of authority. Familiarity is commonly avoided in a work-related setting.

Tipping Guidelines
Leave a 10% tip in finer restaurants; otherwise round up the bill.

Souvenirs
Frankincense, jambiyyas daggers, polished amber, traditional clothing, honey

Traditional Cuisine
Saltah — brown meat stew served with rice; key ingredients include saltah and hilbeh (a condiment based on fenugreek) and zhug (a condiment consisting of chillies, oil, cumin, garlic, and coriander); other ingredients may include lamb or chicken, tomatoes, potatoes, other vegetables, or scrambled eggs; typically served with flatbread

Geography
Area
total: 527,968 sq km
land: 527,968 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east

Natural resources
petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west

People and Society
Population
31,565,602 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asian, European

Languages
Arabic (official); note - a distinct Socotri language is widely used on Socotra Island and Archipelago; Mahri is still fairly widely spoken in eastern Yemen

Religions
Muslim 99.1% (official; virtually all are citizens, an estimated 65% are Sunni and 35% are Shia), other 0.9% (includes Jewish, Baha'i, Hindu, and Christian; many are refugees or temporary foreign residents) (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
1.83% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
in transition

Capital
name: Sanaa

Economy
Economic overview
low-income Middle Eastern economy; infrastructure, trade, and economic institutions devastated by civil war; oil/gas-dependent but decreasing reserves; massive poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment; high inflation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$73.63 billion (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,500 (2017 est.)

Agricultural products
mangoes/guavas, potatoes, sorghum, onions, milk, poultry, watermelons, grapes, oranges, bananas

Industries
crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles, leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; aluminum products; cement; commercial ship repair; natural gas production

Exports
$384.5 million (2017 est.)

Exports - partners
China 53%, Saudi Arabia 10%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Australia 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, fish, industrial chemical liquids, scrap iron (2019)

Imports
$4.079 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - partners
China 25%, Turkey 10%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, India 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
wheat, refined petroleum, iron, rice, cars (2019)