Yemen: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Yemen?

48.6% of Yemen's population lived below the national poverty line in 2014, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. This is the latest year shown.

The national poverty line is the cost of a basic basket of food and other needs, set from a household survey. The same source shows 33.3% living on less than $3.00 a day (2021 prices) in 2014. Both figures come before the conflict that began in 2014–2015, so they do not describe conditions in 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Yemen · World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, Yemen

How much do households in Yemen spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Yemen was $1,248 in 2018. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 19th highest of 20 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $2,939. Worldwide: 124th of 159.

How many people in Yemen face food insecurity?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 74.4%. That is the highest since at least 2015. It is 2nd highest of 13 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.2%. World rank, highest first: 10th of 135.