Quick facts
Yemen population overview
Yemen is the 16th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 42,369,499 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 3,202 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,385,483 births (32.7 per 1,000 people) and 194,900 deaths (4.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 21,185 people. The infant mortality rate is 29.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,532,301 in 1960 to 41,773,878 in 2025 — a change of +655.1%, or +3.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.7 years; women have on average 4.5 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 41% of residents are under 15 and 2.5% are 65 or older (2025); 37% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Sana'a. Yemen covers 527,970 km², giving a population density of about 82 people per km². GDP was $21.61B in 2018 — about $634 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Yemen population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 43,302,063 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 42,369,499 |
| World rank | #37 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #16 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.5% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.8% |
| Births per year est. | 1,385,483 |
| Deaths per year est. | 194,900 |
| Net migration per year est. | -21,185 |
| Birth rate | 32.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 29.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 102.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 37% |
| Surface area 2023 | 527,970 km² |
| Population density | 82 per km² |
| Capital | Sana'a |
| GDP (current US$) 2018 | $21.61B |
| GDP per capita 2018 | $634 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Yemen population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 43,302,063 | – | – |
| 2025 | 41,773,878 | +1,190,714 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 40,583,164 | +1,192,365 | +3% |
| 2023 | 39,390,799 | +1,167,923 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 38,222,876 | +1,082,646 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 37,140,230 | +1,005,367 | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 36,134,863 | +4,975,484 | +3% |
| 2015 | 31,159,379 | +4,404,992 | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 26,754,387 | +3,964,302 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 22,790,085 | +3,165,944 | +3% |
| 2000 | 19,624,141 | +2,884,083 | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 16,740,058 | +2,852,196 | +3.8% |
| 1990 | 13,887,862 | +2,434,037 | +3.9% |
| 1985 | 11,453,825 | +1,910,467 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 9,543,358 | +1,409,760 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 8,133,598 | +1,068,319 | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 7,065,279 | +869,686 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 6,195,593 | +663,292 | +2.3% |
| 1960 | 5,532,301 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Yemen
Population over time
- From 5,532,301 in 1960 to 43,302,063 today — up 682.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.4 years (2024), up 36 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.5 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 34.4 births vs 4.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 29.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 41% of the population is under 15 and 2.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.7% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 10.58 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 28.79 Mt in 2013 — down 63.2% since.
- Per person: 0.26 t in 2024, vs 0.23 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 155 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 14.4% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 3.7% of final energy in 2021 (+1.9 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 37% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 3.4% in 1960 (+33.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 169.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 55 m³ in 2022, down 85.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $21.61B in 2018.
- Nominal GDP is down 19.7% since 2008.
- That works out to $634 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 17.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 8.1% in 2014.
Internet & mobile
- 17.5% of people used the internet in 2019.
- Mobile subscriptions: 50.9 per 100 people (2023).
Yemen in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Yemen in 2026?
As of October 2026, Yemen has an estimated population of 43,302,063. The United Nations estimated 42,369,499 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Yemen growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.8% per year — roughly 3,202 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,385,483 births and 194,900 deaths, with net migration of -21,185.
What is the population density of Yemen?
About 82 people per square kilometre: 43,302,063 people living on 527,970 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Yemen?
The median age is 18.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.7 years. 41% of the population is under 15 and 2.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Yemen rank by population?
Yemen is the 37th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 16th in Asia, with 0.5% of the global population.
How has the population of Yemen changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,532,301; by 2025 it had grown to 41,773,878 (+655.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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AngolaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.