Yemen: economy

What is Yemen's GDP growth rate?

Yemen's real GDP shrank by an estimated 0.5% in 2025, and the IMF projects a fall of 1.5% in 2026, according to its World Economic Outlook figures, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF gives falls of 9.3% in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024.

Real growth strips out price changes, so a negative figure means the volume of goods and services produced fell. IMF estimates are revised as new data arrive. The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation publishes economic bulletins on its site.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: real GDP growth, Yemen

What is Yemen's GDP?

Yemen's GDP was an estimated US$7.9 billion in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF projects US$11.0 billion for 2026. GDP per person was about US$418 in 2025, on the IMF's per capita series.

Dollar GDP is converted at market exchange rates, so it moves with the rial as well as with output. Because real output is projected to fall in 2026, the projected rise in dollar GDP comes from prices and the exchange rate. The IMF gives US$9.4 billion for 2023 and US$8.1 billion for 2024.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: GDP in US dollars, Yemen · IMF DataMapper: GDP per capita, Yemen

What is the inflation rate in Yemen?

The consumer price index fell from 100.05 in May 2026 to 99.69 in June 2026, a monthly fall of 0.36%, according to Central Statistical Organization data cited in the Central Bank of Yemen's monthly monetary and financial developments report for June 2026.

For whole years, the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures estimate average inflation of 20.2% in 2025 and project 5.0% for 2026, after 26.6% in 2024. A monthly change shows the movement in one month; the yearly figure compares average prices over a whole year. Prices can differ between areas run by different authorities.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen: monetary and financial developments, June 2026 · IMF DataMapper: inflation, Yemen

What is the Yemeni rial exchange rate to the dollar?

The rial averaged 1,560.95 to the US dollar in the market in June 2026, compared with 1,562.49 in May 2026, according to the Central Bank of Yemen's monthly monetary and financial developments report for June 2026.

The same table shows the rial at 2,733.85 per dollar in June 2025 and about 1,624 from August 2025, when it strengthened; the 2025 average was 2,078.30. The bank's figures cover the banks and accounts it reports on from Aden; the Sanaa-based central bank site (centralbank.gov.ye) could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen: monetary and financial developments, June 2026 · Central Bank of Yemen: monthly reports

What is the interest rate in Yemen?

The Central Bank of Yemen has set the interest rate on new savings deposits in Yemeni rials at commercial banks at 18% a year, according to its monthly monetary and financial developments report for June 2026.

The report says banks set rates for other deposit terms themselves, and lending rates are free for banks to set according to their credit policies and risk assessment. The rate applies to deposits in rials, not foreign currency.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen: monetary and financial developments, June 2026

What is Yemen's trade balance?

Yemen's current account deficit was an estimated 6.8% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF projects 3.3% for 2026, after 18.3% in 2023 and 10.7% in 2024.

The current account adds the balance of trade in goods and services to income and transfers from abroad, including remittances from Yemenis working abroad. A deficit means more money went out for imports and payments than came in. The Central Bank of Yemen publishes external sector data in its reports.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: current account balance, Yemen

How fast is Yemen's economy growing?

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in Yemen was 0.8% in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from -28.0% (2015) to 7.7% (2010). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 2.3%, and Yemen placed 20th highest of 22. Worldwide: 167th of 189.

What is GDP per capita in Yemen?

$634: that is GDP per person in Yemen for 2018, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 21st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $5,215. World rank, highest first: 181st of 190.

What share of Yemen's economy is exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Yemen at 8.8% of GDP in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.8% of GDP (2016) to 41.3% of GDP (2006). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 37.6% of GDP; Yemen is 19th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 163rd of 168.

Does Yemen have a current account surplus or deficit?

In 2016, the current account balance in Yemen was -7.7% of GDP, according to the IMF, which is a deficit. The peak was 3.7% of GDP in 2005 and the low -10.1% of GDP in 2009. It is 12th highest of 19 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -5.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 139th of 176.

How much foreign investment does Yemen receive?

-0.0% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Yemen for 2018, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.8% of GDP (2005) to 5.9% of GDP (2006). It is 18th highest of 20 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 2.2% of GDP. Worldwide: 163rd of 184.