People and Society of Yemen

Nationality

Yemeni(s)

Ethnic Groups

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

Population

34,449,825

Population in Major Urban Areas

SANAA (capital) 2.419 million; Aden 784,000

Outside Sana’a and Aden, modern medical facilities are not readily available and emergency ambulance services are limited and often have attendants with little to no medical training. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. It is important to bring an adequate supply of prescription medications for the duration of the traveler’s time outside the United States.While many prescription drugs are available in Yemen, quality control is uneven, and the particular drug a traveler needs may not be available. Travelers can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. Tuberculosis is a serious health concern in Yemen.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Yemen is among the lowest in the Arab world and reflects the devastating humanitarian toll of the country's prolonged civil conflict, which began in 2015. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Yemen stands at approximately 66 years overall, with women living slightly longer at around 68 years and men averaging roughly 64 years. These figures represent a significant setback from the modest but steady gains Yemen had achieved in the decades prior to the war. Between 1990 and 2014, life expectancy in the country rose by nearly a decade, driven by improvements in maternal and child healthcare, expanded vaccination programs, and greater access to basic medical services in urban centers. The conflict reversed much of that progress, and Yemen now ranks among the lowest globally for health outcomes in its income category. The ongoing war has severely degraded Yemen's healthcare infrastructure. Hundreds of medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and a large proportion of the country's health workers went unpaid for extended periods, causing many to abandon their posts. The collapse of the health system has allowed preventable diseases to resurge, including cholera, which produced one of the largest outbreaks in recorded modern history. Acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five, has contributed to elevated mortality rates and shortened lives across the population. The United Nations has repeatedly classified Yemen as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Maternal mortality remains a serious concern, with a high number of women dying from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth due to the lack of functioning obstetric care. Infant and under-five mortality rates are similarly elevated compared to regional neighbors, compressing the overall life expectancy figure. Yemen's under-five mortality rate remains well above the average for the Middle East and North Africa region. Rural populations face the greatest challenges, as geographic isolation, destroyed infrastructure, and displacement have limited access to whatever medical services still operate. Internally displaced persons, numbering in the millions, face acute vulnerabilities that further reduce their life expectancy relative to the national average. Ongoing hostilities have also made the delivery of humanitarian aid unpredictable, leaving gaps in essential medical supply chains. Without a sustained peace agreement and large-scale reconstruction of the health sector, demographers and international health bodies project that Yemen's life expectancy will continue to lag behind neighboring countries for years or even decades to come.

Infant Mortality Rate

Yemen faces one of the most severe infant mortality crises in the world, a situation dramatically worsened by years of ongoing armed conflict, the collapse of the healthcare system, and widespread malnutrition. The country's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 44 to 46 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that nearly one in every 22 infants born in Yemen does not survive to see their first birthday. This figure places Yemen among the highest infant mortality rates in the Middle East and North Africa region. The causes behind this devastating statistic are deeply intertwined with Yemen's humanitarian emergency. Malnutrition is a leading contributor, with millions of children under five suffering from acute malnutrition, which weakens immune systems and makes infants highly susceptible to otherwise preventable infections. Diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, and neonatal sepsis are among the primary direct causes of infant death. Access to skilled healthcare has deteriorated sharply since the civil war escalated in 2015. An estimated 50 percent or more of Yemen's health facilities are either non-functional or operating far below capacity. Many mothers give birth without the assistance of trained medical personnel, increasing the risk of complications during and immediately after delivery. Premature births and low birth weight — both linked to poor maternal nutrition and inadequate prenatal care — are significant risk factors for early infant death. Water and sanitation infrastructure has also been severely damaged, contributing to outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases that disproportionately affect infants and young children. Yemen experienced one of the largest cholera outbreaks in recorded history beginning in 2016, further straining an already overwhelmed health system. UNICEF and other humanitarian organizations have maintained vaccination campaigns and therapeutic feeding programs in accessible areas, helping to mitigate some of the worst outcomes. However, ongoing hostilities, blockades, and funding shortfalls continue to limit the reach of these interventions. Without sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, clean water, and maternal nutrition programs, Yemen's infant mortality rate is unlikely to see meaningful improvement in the near term.

Major Infectious Diseases

high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Sunni Islam55.0%
• Shia Islam45.0%

Arabic

• Arabic

Crime Information

Yemen is considered a medium to high threat environment for crime. Common petty or street crime exists in cities, particularly when valuables and cash are left in plain view. Burglaries and home invasions are not common, but violence against expatriates has risen in recent years in large part due to increased AQAP activity, civil unrest,and current economic conditions. There has also been an increase in reports of carjackings and assassinations, including within the expatriate community. The Yemeni justice system is slow and inefficient. Government ineffectiveness also led to a rise in crimes such as forgeries of land deeds and vehicle documents and corrupt business transactions. Local police forces are largely unaccountable, and frequently make arrests (including of U.S. citizens) on the request of influential families and tribes. Yemeni authorities rarely inform the U.S. Embassy when a U.S. citizen is arrested. The ongoing political transition is expected to result in improvements tothe functioning of Yemen’s judicial system and other government agencies; however, the process will be slow, and travelers should not rely on significant assistance from the Yemeni government in the near term. Americans are advised not to buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. The bootlegs are illegal in the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Yemenor another country, all travelers are subject to its laws even if they are U.S. citizens. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In Yemen, foreign travelers may be taken in for questioning if they don’t have their passport with them. It is also illegal to take pictures of military installations or troops. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can land the driver immediately in jail. The criminal penalties in Yemen may be very different from what U.S. citizens are accustomed to in the United States. There are also some things that might be legal in a foreign country, but still illegal in the United States, and travelers can still be prosecuted under U.S. law. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If a U.S. citizen breaks local laws in Yemen, his/her U.S. passport won’t prevent arrest or prosecution. When traveling, it’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in the foreign country. Persons violating Yemeni laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Yemen are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. The use of the mild stimulant "qat” or “khat" is legal and common in Yemen, but it is considered an illegal substance in many other countries, including the United States. Do not attempt to bring qat back to the United States; the penalties for trafficking qat include heavy fines and possible imprisonment. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, the U.S. Embassy is rarely informed when U.S. citizens are arrested in Yemen.To ensure that the United States is aware of the arrest or detention, it is important to request that the police and prison officials notify the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible.