2011 Edition

Background

North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border. Fighting in the northwest between the government and Huthi rebels, a group seeking a return to traditional Zaydi Islam, began in 2004 and has since resulted in six rounds of fighting - the last ended in early 2010 with a ceasefire that continues to hold. The southern secessionist movement was revitalized in 2008 when a popular socioeconomic protest movement initiated the prior year took on political goals including secession. Public rallies in Sana'a against President SALIH - inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt - slowly built momentum starting in late January 2011 fueled by complaints over high unemployment, poor economic conditions, and corruption. By the following month, some protests had resulted in violence, and the demonstrations had spread to other major cities. By March the opposition had hardened its demands and was unifying behind calls for SALIH's immediate ouster. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in late April 2011, in an attempt to mediate the crisis in Yemen, proposed an agreement in which the president would step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. SALIH's third refusal to sign the GCC agreement in late May led to heavy street fighting, and in early June an explosion at the mosque in the presidential compound injured SALIH, who was evacuated to Saudi Arabia for treatment. June witnessed an increasing number of clashes with government and anti-government forces - some with links to al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula - in a number of cities and towns in southern Yemen. In late September, SALIH returned to Sanaa amid heavy shelling and machinegun fire between loyal regime forces and defector military forces. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2014 in October calling on both sides to end the violence and complete a power transfer deal. In late November 2011, President SALIH finally signed the GCC-brokered agreement and stepped down.

Area

527,968 sq km 527,968 sq km 0 sq km includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)

total

527,968 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Climate

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

Coastline

1,906 km

Elevation extremes

Arabian Sea 0 m Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

highest point

Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

lowest point

Arabian Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

6.63 cu km/yr (4%/1%/95%) 316 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

316 cu m/yr (2000)

total

6.63 cu km/yr (4%/1%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 48 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

Irrigated land

6,800 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,746 km Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

border countries

Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

total

1,746 km

Land use

2.91% 0.25% 96.84% (2005)

arable land

2.91%

other

96.84% (2005)

permanent crops

0.25%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

sandstorms and dust storms in summer Yemen experiences limited volcanic activity; Jebel at Tair (Jabal al-Tair, Jebel Teir, Jabal al-Tayr, Jazirat at-Tair) (elev. 244 m), which forms an island in the Red Sea, erupted in 2007 after awakening from dormancy; other historically active volcanoes include Harra of Arhab, Harras of Dhamar, Harra es-Sawad, and Jebel Zubair, although many of these have not erupted in over a century

volcanism

Yemen experiences limited volcanic activity; Jebel at Tair (Jabal al-Tair, Jebel Teir, Jabal al-Tayr, Jazirat at-Tair) (elev. 244 m), which forms an island in the Red Sea, erupted in 2007 after awakening from dormancy; other historically active volcanoes include Harra of Arhab, Harras of Dhamar, Harra es-Sawad, and Jebel Zubair, although many of these have not erupted in over a century

Natural resources

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

Terrain

narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula

Total renewable water resources

4.1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

43% (male 5,285,218/female 5,094,736) 54.4% (male 6,666,600/female 6,459,414) 2.6% (male 298,175/female 329,349) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

43% (male 5,285,218/female 5,094,736)

15-64 years

54.4% (male 6,666,600/female 6,459,414)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 298,175/female 329,349) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

33.49 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

43.1% (2003)

Death rate

7.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 72% of population rural: 57% of population total: 62% of population urban: 28% of population rural: 43% of population total: 38% of population (2008)

rural

43% of population

total

38% of population (2008)

urban

28% of population

Education expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

12,000 (2001 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

55.11 deaths/1,000 live births 59.7 deaths/1,000 live births 50.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

50.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

55.11 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official)

Life expectancy at birth

63.74 years 61.7 years 65.87 years (2011 est.)

female

65.87 years (2011 est.)

total population

63.74 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 50.2% 70.5% 30% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

30% (2003 est.)

male

70.5%

total population

50.2%

Major cities - population

SANAA (capital) 2.229 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria schistosomiasis (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

210 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

18.1 years 18 years 18.2 years (2011 est.)

female

18.2 years (2011 est.)

male

18 years

total

18.1 years

Nationality

Yemeni(s) Yemeni

adjective

Yemeni

noun

Yemeni(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

24,133,492 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.647% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Sanitation facility access

urban: 94% of population rural: 33% of population total: 52% of population urban: 6% of population rural: 67% of population total: 48% of population (2008)

rural

67% of population

total

48% of population (2008)

urban

6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 11 years 7 years (2005)

female

7 years (2005)

male

11 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.63 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

32% of total population (2010) 4.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

32% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

21 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan (Aden), Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah (Sanaa City), 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a' (Sanaa), Shabwah, Ta'izz

Capital

Sanaa 15 21 N, 44 12 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 21 N, 44 12 E

name

Sanaa

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001

Country name

Republic of Yemen Yemen Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah Al Yaman Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

conventional long form

Republic of Yemen

conventional short form

Yemen

former

Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

local short form

Al Yaman

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Gerald M. FEIERSTEIN Sa'awan Street, Sanaa P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa [967] (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266 [967] (1) 303-182

chief of mission

Ambassador Gerald M. FEIERSTEIN

embassy

Sa'awan Street, Sanaa

FAX

[967] (1) 303-182

mailing address

P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa

telephone

[967] (1) 755-2000 ext. 2153 or 2266

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 965-4760 [1] (202) 337-2017

chancery

2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI

FAX

[1] (202) 337-2017

telephone

[1] (202) 965-4760

Executive branch

President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990); Vice President Abd al-Rabuh Mansur HADI (Maj. Gen.); note - on 24 November 2011 President SALIH signed a GCC-brokered agreement to step down Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Salim BA SINDWAH (since 27 November 2011) on 27 November 2011, Vice President HADI requested Interim Prime Minister Muhammad BA SINDWAH to form a new government following the resignation of President SALIH on 24 November president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held on 20 September 2006 (next to be held in February 2012); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8%, other 1%

cabinet

on 27 November 2011, Vice President HADI requested Interim Prime Minister Muhammad BA SINDWAH to form a new government following the resignation of President SALIH on 24 November

chief of state

President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990); Vice President Abd al-Rabuh Mansur HADI (Maj. Gen.); note - on 24 November 2011 President SALIH signed a GCC-brokered agreement to step down

election results

Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8%, other 1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held on 20 September 2006 (next to be held in February 2012); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

head of government

Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Salim BA SINDWAH (since 27 November 2011)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white) similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band

Government type

republic

Independence

22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen became independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate in 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms) last held on 27 April 2003 (scheduled April 2009 election postponed for two years) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 47, YSP 6, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 5

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 47, YSP 6, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 5

elections

last held on 27 April 2003 (scheduled April 2009 election postponed for two years)

National anthem

"al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic) Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990

lyrics/music

Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI

name

"al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)

National holiday

Unification Day, 22 May (1990)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle

Political parties and leaders

General People's Congress or GPC [Abdul-Kader BAJAMMAL]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Muhammed Abdallah AL-YADUMI]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abd al-Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr. Qasim SALAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Yasin Said NU'MAN]; note - there are at least seven more active political parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Muslim Brotherhood; Women National Committee conservative tribal groups; Huthis, southern secessionist groups; al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

other

conservative tribal groups; Huthis, southern secessionist groups; al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish

Budget

$8.861 billion $8.492 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$8.492 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$8.861 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

25% (31 December 2010 est.) 18% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.944 billion (2010 est.) -$2.565 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$6.586 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.356 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.7 (2005) 33.4 (1998)

Economy - overview

Yemen is a low income country that is highly dependent on declining oil resources for revenue. Petroleum accounts for roughly 25% of GDP and 70% of government revenue. Yemen has tried to counter the effects of its declining oil resources by diversifying its economy through an economic reform program initiated in 2006 that is designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In October 2009, Yemen exported its first liquefied natural gas as part of this diversification effort. In January 2010, the international community established the Friends of Yemen group that aims to support Yemen's efforts towards economic and political reform, and in August 2010 the IMF approved a three-year $370 million program to further this effort. Despite these ambitious endeavors, Yemen continues to face difficult long term challenges, including declining water resources and a high population growth rate.

Electricity - consumption

4.646 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

6.153 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Yemeni rials (YER) per US dollar - 220.05 (2010) 202.85 (2009) 199.76 (2008) 199.14 (2007) 197.18 (2006)

Exports

$7.718 billion (2010 est.) $5.855 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish, liquefied natural gas

Exports - partners

China 34.4%, India 23%, Thailand 6.6%, South Africa 5.7%, Japan 5.3%, UAE 4.8% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

8.3% 38.5% 53.3% (2010 est.)

agriculture

8.3%

industry

38.5%

services

53.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,700 (2010 est.) $2,600 (2009 est.) $2,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8% (2010 est.) 3.9% (2009 est.) 3.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.27 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$63.4 billion (2010 est.) $58.69 billion (2009 est.) $56.51 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.9% 30.8% (2005)

highest 10%

30.8% (2005)

lowest 10%

2.9%

Imports

$8.701 billion (2010 est.) $7.868 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

UAE 13.5%, China 12.2%, India 8.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.4%, Kuwait 4.7%, France 4.3%, Brazil 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

9% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

11.2% (2010 est.) 5.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

6.832 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force

note

most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

100 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

420 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

520 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

478.5 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

157,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

207,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

64,610 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

258,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

3 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

45.2% (2003)

Public debt

30.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 35.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.942 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.993 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9.346 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$6.183 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.988 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.679 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.659 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

35% (2003 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV with 2 stations; state-run radio with 2 national radio stations and 5 local stations; stations from Oman and Saudi Arabia can be accessed (2007)

Internet country code

.ye

Internet hosts

255 (2010)

Internet users

2.349 million (2009)

Telephone system

since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains low by regional standards country code - 967; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

domestic

the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains low by regional standards

general assessment

since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network

international

country code - 967; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

Telephones - main lines in use

1.046 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

11.085 million (2010)

Airports

55 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

4

total

17

Airports - with unpaved runways

10 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

14

over 3,047 m

3

total

38

under 914 m

10 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, chemical tanker 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 14 (Moldova 1, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 6) (2010)

registered in other countries

14 (Moldova 1, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 2, unknown 6) (2010)

total

6

Pipelines

gas 423 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,367 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla

Roadways

71,300 km 6,200 km 65,100 km (2005)

total

71,300 km

unpaved

65,100 km (2005)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators reduced the incidence of piracy in that body of water by more than half in 2010

Manpower available for military service

5,652,256 5,387,160 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

5,387,160 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,652,256

Manpower fit for military service

4,056,944 4,116,895 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,116,895 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,056,944

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

287,141 277,612 (2010 est.)

female

277,612 (2010 est.)

male

287,141

Military - note

a Coast Guard was established in 2002

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Yemen Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Yemeniya; includes Air Defense Force), Republican Guard Forces (2011)

Military expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

voluntary military service program authorized in 2001; 2-year service obligation (2006)

Disputes - international

Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities

Refugees and internally displaced persons

91,587 (Somalia) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

91,587 (Somalia) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

Yemen is a country of origin and, to a much lesser extent, a transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Yemeni children, mostly boys, migrate to the Yemeni cities, Saudi Arabia or, to a lesser extent, to Oman and are forced to work in domestic service, small shops, or as beggars; some of these children are subjected to prostitution; to a lesser extent, Yemen is also a source country for girls subjected to sex trafficking within the country and in Saudi Arabia Tier 3 - the Yemeni cabinet approved the country's accession to the 2000 UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol and the government reportedly prosecuted and convicted traffickers; despite these efforts, the Yemeni Government did not take steps to address trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation or to institute formal procedures to identify and protect victims of trafficking (2011)

current situation

Yemen is a country of origin and, to a much lesser extent, a transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Yemeni children, mostly boys, migrate to the Yemeni cities, Saudi Arabia or, to a lesser extent, to Oman and are forced to work in domestic service, small shops, or as beggars; some of these children are subjected to prostitution; to a lesser extent, Yemen is also a source country for girls subjected to sex trafficking within the country and in Saudi Arabia

tier rating

Tier 3 - the Yemeni cabinet approved the country's accession to the 2000 UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol and the government reportedly prosecuted and convicted traffickers; despite these efforts, the Yemeni Government did not take steps to address trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation or to institute formal procedures to identify and protect victims of trafficking (2011)