Yemen is a low income country that is highly dependent on declining oil resources for revenue. Petroleum accounts for roughly 25% of GDP and 63% of government revenue. Yemen has tried to counter the effects of its declining oil resources and continuing attacks on its oil pipelines by diversifying its economy through an economic reform program initiated in 2006 that is designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In October 2009, Yemen exported its first liquefied natural gas as part of this diversification effort. In January 2010, the international community established the Friends of Yemen group that aims to support Yemen's efforts toward economic and political reform. In 2012, the Friends of Yemen pledged nearly $7 billion in assistance to Yemen. The Yemeni Government also endorsed a Mutual Accountability Framework to facilitate the efficient implementation of donor aid. The unrest that began in early 2011 caused GDP to plunge almost 11% in 2011. Availability of basic services, including electricity, water, and fuel, has improved since the transition, but progress toward achieving more sustainable economic stability has been slow and uneven. Yemen continues to face difficult long-term challenges, including declining water resources, high unemployment, severe food scarcity, and a high population growth rate.
$61.63 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$58.45 billion (2012 est.)
$57.36 billion (2011 est.)
3.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
0.1% (2012 est.)
-10.5% (2011 est.)
$2,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$2,500 (2012 est.)
$2,500 (2011 est.)
agriculture: 7.7%
industry: 30.9%
services: 61.4% (2013 est.)
45.2% (2003)
11.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
9.9% (2012 est.)
7.1 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force
35% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles, leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; aluminum products; cement; commercial ship repair; natural gas production
4.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
