Yemen: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 10, 2026

News •

Overnight strikes in Yemen kill at least 1 person and wound 9, and other Mideast news • Nov. 10, 2026, 8:13 AM ET (AP)

Houthi rebels say at least 44 killed in airstrike near Yemeni capital, and other Mideast news • Nov. 9, 2026, 3:32 PM ET (AP)

Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates • Nov. 8, 2026, 1:57 PM ET (AP)

Airstrikes kill more than 2 dozen people near Yemen's capital, Houthis say • Nov. 7, 2026, 11:42 AM ET (AP)

Airstrikes on a market in southwestern Yemen kill at least 30, Houthis say • Nov. 6, 2026, 12:24 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Yamaniyyah • Republic of Yemen • Al-Yaman
Head Of Government	Prime Minister: Shae’a Azendani (شائع الزنداني)
Capital	Sanaa
Population	(2026 est.) 35,599,000
Head Of State	Chair of the Presidential Leadership Council²: Rashad al-Alimi (رشاد العليمي)
Form Of Government	interim government led by transitional council¹
Official Language	Arabic
Official Religion	Islam
Official Name	Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Yamaniyyah (Republic of Yemen)
Total Area (Sq Km)	455,000
Total Area (Sq Mi)	175,676
Monetary Unit	Yemeni rial (YR)
Population Rank	(2026) 44
Population Projection 2030	35,660,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi	(2026) 202.6
Density: Persons Per Sq Km	(2026) 78.2
Urban-Rural Population	Urban: (2024) 40.5% • Rural: (2024) 59.5%
Life Expectancy At Birth	Male: (2021) 63.1 years • Female: (2021) 68.6 years
Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate	Male: 73% • Female: (2023) 54.1%
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000)	(2018) 25,287
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$)	(2018) 740
¹Comprises eight political and military leaders representing the internationally recognized government in Aden.²Delegated presidential powers by the former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi upon his resignation in 2022.

Photos and Videos

Map of Yemen showing international boundaries, major cities including Sanaa, Aden, and Al-Mukalla, and neighboring countries Saudi Arabia and Oman. The map also includes parts of the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and nearby countries Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, with a locator inset highlighting Yemen's position in the Middle East.

Saywūn, Yemen: palace of the sultan

Map of the Middle East highlighting Yemen in orange, showing its location on the southern Arabian Peninsula bordered by Saudi Arabia and Oman, with nearby bodies of water including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. Neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey, and Iran are also labeled. A small inset globe in the lower left indicates Yemen's global position.

Map of Yemen showing major physical features, including the Ramlat al-Sab'atayn Desert, Mahra Mountains, and Hadhramaut region. Neighboring countries Saudi Arabia and Oman are labeled, as are surrounding bodies of water such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. Islands like Socotra and the Hanish Islands are marked, and an inset locator map shows Yemen's position on the Arabian Peninsula.

Yemen: Rubʿ al-Khali desert

Cluster of ripe and unripe coffee fruits in shades of red and green growing on a Coffea arabica plant with glossy green leaves.

Two Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) with long, straight horns stand on sandy desert terrain, with more oryx and sparse vegetation in the background.

Explore the unique landscapes and traditions of Yemen

National anthem of Yemen

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Topics

Ali Abdullah Saleh Yaḥyā Najāḥid Dynasty Ziyādid Dynasty Ṣulayḥid dynasty Asia Yemeni Civil War nation-state Middle East Maʾrib United States India United Kingdom China Canada Russia Germany Australia Japan France

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