Yemen: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Yemen?

Yemen's unemployment rate was 17.3% in 2025, according to the modelled International Labour Organization estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The rate counts people without work who are available for and looking for it, as a share of the labour force. It is a modelled estimate built from older surveys, so it can differ from a national survey figure. The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation publishes bulletins on growth and the labour market.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Yemen · Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

What is the minimum wage in Yemen?

No current official minimum wage figure was found on the sites of the Central Bank of Yemen and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, checked on 15 October 2026. The Ministry of Finance site (mof.gov.ye) could not be reached that day.

The central bank's monthly reports show total government revenue and spending but not pay scales.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen · Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

How high is unemployment in Yemen?

17.3%: that is the unemployment rate in Yemen for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.2% (2005) to 18.6% (2017). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Yemen is 3rd highest of 21. Worldwide: 11th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Yemen?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Yemen was 32.6%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 34.5%; its low point was 2005, at 20.2%. It is 6th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 15th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Yemen?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Yemen was 33.1% in 2025. The peak was 41.9% in 2005 and the low 32.1% in 2015. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 45.2%; Yemen is 20th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 172nd of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Yemen?

4.7%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Yemen for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 24.0%; Yemen is 21st highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 174th of 174.

How many people in Yemen are employed?

27.4%: that is the employment to population ratio in Yemen for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 36.8% in 2005 and the low 26.3% in 2015. It is 20th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 172nd highest.

How common is self-employment in Yemen?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 45.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 41.6% (2008) to 45.9% (2020). It is 3rd highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. World rank, highest first: 59th of 174.

What share of jobs in Yemen are salaried?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Yemen was 47.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 47.1% (2020) to 51.3% (2010). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Yemen placed 19th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 122nd of 174.