Socotra has exceptional endemic wildlife. UNESCO reports that about 37% of its plant species, 90% of its reptiles and 95% of its land snails occur nowhere else.
The Republic of Yemen
YemenWestern Asia-1:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Arabic
National CurrencyYemeni Rial (YER)
National Day(s)22 May (Unity Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSanaa
Economic CapitalAden
Cultural CapitalSana’a / Zabid
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 2.5 – 3 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportAden International Airport (ADE) / Sana’a International Airport (SAH)
Primary PortPort of Aden / Port of Hodeidah
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline1,906 km
Highest PointJabal An-Nabi Shu’ayb (3,666 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverSeasonal wadis such as Wadi Hadhramaut (no permanent rivers)
ClimateArid desert in the east and north; semi-arid and mild in the central highlands; hot and humid along the coasts
Border Countries
OmanSaudi Arabia
2Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Yemen is one of the world’s oldest coffee-producing countries, with coffee grown on dramatic mountain terraces.
Shibam’s mud-brick tower houses rise up to seven stories, earning it the nickname “Manhattan of the Desert.”
Yemeni farmers have transformed steep mountainsides into agricultural terraces that allow crops to grow at high elevations.
The ancient Bar’an Temple in Ma’rib is traditionally known as the “Throne of Bilqis,” the legendary Queen of Sheba.
Yemeni honey has been prized since antiquity and remains an important part of social traditions.
Hadrami Dan, a traditional gathering combining poetry and music, joined UNESCO’s heritage list in 2025.
Traditional Yemeni metal engraving in gold, silver and copper is UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.
Tawakkol Karman shared the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Arab woman to receive it.
Yemeni Jewish communities developed a distinctive pronunciation of Hebrew that is still preserved by their descendants today.
Traditional Yemeni homes use qamariya, colorful stained-glass windows that create distinctive patterns of light inside the rooms.
Traditional Yemeni dances can feature rifles and jambiyas as ceremonial symbols during weddings and celebrations.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | YemenUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi
Since April 2022
H.E. Dr. Shaya Mohsin Al-Zindani
Since January 2026
H.E. Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba
Since July 2026
H.E. Marwan bin Ghanem
Since February 2026
H.E. Mohammed Mohammed Hizam Al-Ashwal
Since December 2020
H.E. Lt. Gen. Dr. Taher Al-Aqili
Since February 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Formally a republic; in practice, institutions and territorial authority remain divided by conflict. The constitutional structure comprises the elected House of Representatives and the appointed Shura Council, though legislative institutions are fragmented in practice.
Ruling Party
General People’s Congress (GPC): CentreThere is no single ruling party; the recognized leadership is a coalition of political, regional and military forces.
Main Opposition Force(s)
Houthi movement (Ansar Allah)Southern Transitional Council (STC)
Next Presidential Election
-
Next Legislative Election
-
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
47Organizations
28Member
2Founding Member
1Partner, Observer or Participant
16Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Yemen | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations2 Dec 197155 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al ZaabiUAE Ambassador to YemenForeign Ambassador
H.E. Fahd Saeed Al-MenhaliAmbassador of Yemen to the UAELast Updated: September 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yemen Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Yemen | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | - | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 13 Feb 2001.Entered into force on 28 Jan 2004. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 13 Feb 2001.Entered into force on 1 Jan 2004. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | An MoU was signed on 3 Jan 2011. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Yemen | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationJan2019
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationOct2018
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationJul2018
- H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesDec1986
- H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesOct1984
- H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesMar1977
- H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesNov1972
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Awsan Abdullah Ahmed Al-AudUndersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of YemenNov2025
- H.E. Salem Saleh bin BraikPrime Minister of YemenOct2025
- H.E. Ahmed Hamed LamlasMinister of State and Governor of AdenMay2025
- H.E. Manea bin YameenMinister of Electricity and Energy of YemenMay2025
- H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-AlimiChairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2024
- H.E. Othman Hussein MujalliMember of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2024
- H.E. Dr. Shaya Mohsin Al-ZindaniMinister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of YemenNov2024
- H.E. Dr. Ahmed Awad bin MubarakPrime Minister of YemenMay2024
- H.E. Dr. Shaya Mohsin Al-ZindaniMinister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of YemenMay2024
- H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-AlimiChairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2023
- H.E. Aidarous Qassem Al-ZubaidiMember of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2023
- H.E. Mohammed Mohammed Hizam Al-AshwalMinister of Industry and Trade of YemenNov2023
- H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-AlimiChairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenMay2023
- H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-AlimiChairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2022
- H.E. Tariq Mohammed Abdullah SalehMember of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2022
- H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi BawazeerMember of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenNov2022
- H.E. Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-AlimiChairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of YemenMay2022
- H.E. Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik SaeedPrime Minister of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Dr. Waed Abdullah BadhibMinister of Planning and International Cooperation of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Salem Abdullah Al-SoqotriMinister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Abdulsalam Abdullah BaaboudMinister of Oil and Minerals of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Mohammed Mohammed Hizam Al-AshwalMinister of Industry and Trade of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Dr. Qasim Mohammed BaheebahMinister of Public Health and Population of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Tariq Salem Al-AkbariMinister of Education of YemenJan2022
- H.E. Dr. Ahmed Awad bin MubarakMinister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of YemenFeb2021
- H.E. Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik SaeedPrime Minister of YemenJun2019
- H.E. Abd Rabbo Mansour HadiPresident of YemenSep2018
- H.E. Khaled Hussein Al-YamaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of YemenJul2018
- H.E. Abd Rabbo Mansour HadiPresident of YemenJun2018
- H.E. Dr. Ahmed Obaid bin DagherPrime Minister of YemenAug2016
- H.E. Khaled Mahfoudh BahahVice President and Prime Minister of YemenNov2015
- H.E. Abdulraqeeb Saif FathMinister of Local Administration of YemenNov2015
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-MikhlafiMinister of Legal Affairs of YemenNov2015
- H.E. Abd Rabbo Mansour HadiPresident of YemenSep2015
- H.E. Khaled Mahfoudh BahahVice President and Prime Minister of YemenMay2015
- H.E. Mohammed Salem BasindawaPrime Minister of YemenOct2013
- H.E. Abd Rabbo Mansour HadiPresident of YemenNov2012
- H.E. Ali Abdullah SalehPresident of the Yemen Arab RepublicDec1978
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)1.3USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)1,086.3USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Yemeni Companies in the UAE
Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA) GroupIndustrial conglomerate and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
Mohammed Saif Thabet Group – Trust Gulf General TradingGeneral trading
Al Rowaishan GroupDiversified trading
Universal Group – ALMAR Tourism & Travel LLCTravel and tourism
Major UAE Companies in Yemen
DP World-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research