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Yemen vs. Oman

Introduction

YemenOman
Background

The Kingdom of Yemen (colloquially known as North Yemen) became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and in 1962 became the Yemen Arab Republic. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became the People's Republic of Southern Yemen (colloquially known as South Yemen). Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation and changed the country's name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement and brief civil war in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to delineate their border.

Fighting in the northwest between the government and the Huthis, a Zaydi Shia Muslim minority, continued intermittently from 2004 to 2010, and then again from 2014-present. The southern secessionist movement was revitalized in 2007.

Public rallies in Sana'a against then President Ali Abdallah SALIH - inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt - slowly built momentum starting in late January 2011 fueled by complaints over high unemployment, poor economic conditions, and corruption. By the following month, some protests had resulted in violence, and the demonstrations had spread to other major cities. By March the opposition had hardened its demands and was unifying behind calls for SALIH's immediate ouster. In April 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in an attempt to mediate the crisis in Yemen, proposed the GCC Initiative, an agreement in which the president would step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. SALIH's refusal to sign an agreement led to further violence. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2014 in October 2011 calling for an end to the violence and completing a power transfer deal. In November 2011, SALIH signed the GCC Initiative to step down and to transfer some of his powers to Vice President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI. Following HADI's uncontested election victory in February 2012, SALIH formally transferred all presidential powers. In accordance with the GCC Initiative, Yemen launched a National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in March 2013 to discuss key constitutional, political, and social issues. HADI concluded the NDC in January 2014 and planned to begin implementing subsequent steps in the transition process, including constitutional drafting, a constitutional referendum, and national elections.

The Huthis, perceiving their grievances were not addressed in the NDC, joined forces with SALIH and expanded their influence in northwestern Yemen, which culminated in a major offensive against military units and rival tribes and enabled their forces to overrun the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. In January 2015, the Huthis surrounded the presidential palace, HADI's residence, and key government facilities, prompting HADI and the cabinet to submit their resignations. HADI fled to Aden in February 2015 and rescinded his resignation. He subsequently escaped to Oman and then moved to Saudi Arabia and asked the GCC to intervene militarily in Yemen to protect the legitimate government from the Huthis. In March, Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition of Arab militaries and began airstrikes against the Huthis and Huthi-affiliated forces. Ground fighting between Huthi-aligned forces and anti-Huthi groups backed by the Saudi-led coalition continued through 2016. In 2016, the UN brokered a months-long cessation of hostilities that reduced airstrikes and fighting, and initiated peace talks in Kuwait. However, the talks ended without agreement. The Huthis and SALIH's political party announced a Supreme Political Council in August 2016 and a National Salvation Government, including a prime minister and several dozen cabinet members, in November 2016, to govern in Sanaa and further challenge the legitimacy of HADI's government. However, amid rising tensions between the Huthis and SALIH, sporadic clashes erupted in mid-2017, and escalated into open fighting that ended when Huthi forces killed SALIH in early December 2017. In 2018, anti-Huthi forces made the most battlefield progress in Yemen since early 2016, most notably in Al Hudaydah Governorate. In December 2018, the Huthis and Yemeni Government participated in the first UN-brokered peace talks since 2016, agreeing to a limited ceasefire in Al Hudaydah Governorate and the establishment of a UN Mission to monitor the agreement. In April 2019, Yemen's parliament convened in Say'un for the first time since the conflict broke out in 2014. In August 2019, violence erupted between HADI's government and the pro-secessionist Southern Transition Council (STC) in southern Yemen. In November 2019, HADI's government and the STC signed a power-sharing agreement to end the fighting between them.

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan. Sultan QABOOS has no children and has not designated a successor publicly; the Basic Law of 1996 outlines Oman's succession procedure. Sultan QABOOS' extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world, and the sultan has prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.

Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman's bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the Sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.

Geography

YemenOman
LocationMiddle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi ArabiaMiddle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE
Geographic coordinates15 00 N, 48 00 E21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map referencesMiddle EastMiddle East
Areatotal: 527,968 sq km

land: 527,968 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)
total: 309,500 sq km

land: 309,500 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparativealmost four times the size of Alabama; slightly larger than twice the size of Wyomingtwice the size of Georgia
Land boundariestotal: 1,601 km

border countries (2): Oman 294 km, Saudi Arabia 1307 km
total: 1,561 km

border countries (3): Saudi Arabia 658 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 294 km
Coastline1,906 km2,092 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatemostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in eastdry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrainnarrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsulacentral desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremeshighest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,666 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 999 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 3,004 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 310 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in westpetroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land useagricultural land: 44.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 41.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 1% (2018 est.)

other: 54.5% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 95.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land6,800 sq km (2012)590 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards

sandstorms and dust storms in summer

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Jebel at Tair (Jabal al-Tair, Jebel Teir, Jabal al-Tayr, Jazirat at-Tair) (244 m), which forms an island in the Red Sea, erupted in 2007 after awakening from dormancy; other historically active volcanoes include Harra of Arhab, Harras of Dhamar, Harra es-Sawad, and Jebel Zubair, although many of these have not erupted in over a century

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issueslimited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationlimited natural freshwater resources; high levels of soil and water salinity in the coastal plains; beach pollution from oil spills; industrial effluents seeping into the water tables and aquifers; desertificaiton due to high winds driving desert sand into arable lands
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notestrategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanesconsists of Oman proper and two northern exclaves, Musandam and Al Madhah; the former is a peninsula that occupies a strategic location adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Total renewable water resources2.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionthe vast majority of the population is found in the Asir Mountains (part of the larger Sarawat Mountain system), located in the far western region of the countrythe vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated

Demographics

YemenOman
Population30,399,243 (July 2021 est.)3,694,755 (July 2021 est.)

note: immigrants make up approximately 46% of the total population (2019)
Age structure0-14 years: 39.16% (male 5,711,709 /female 5,513,526)

15-24 years: 21.26% (male 3,089,817 /female 3,005,693)

25-54 years: 32.78% (male 4,805,059 /female 4,591,811)

55-64 years: 4% (male 523,769 /female 623,100)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 366,891 /female 435,855) (2018 est.)
0-14 years: 30.15% (male 561,791/female 533,949)

15-24 years: 17.35% (male 331,000/female 299,516)

25-54 years: 44.81% (male 928,812/female 699,821)

55-64 years: 4.02% (male 77,558/female 68,427)

65 years and over: 3.68% (male 64,152/female 69,663) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 19.8 years (2018 est.)

male: 19.6 years

female: 19.9 years
total: 26.2 years

male: 27.2 years

female: 25.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.93% (2021 est.)1.89% (2021 est.)
Birth rate25.21 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)22.58 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)3.25 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.33 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female

total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 47.56 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.95 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 67.18 years

male: 64.89 years

female: 69.59 years (2021 est.)
total population: 76.64 years

male: 74.69 years

female: 78.68 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate3.1 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.73 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate<.1% (2020 est.)0.1% (2019)
Nationalitynoun: Yemeni(s)

adjective: Yemeni
noun: Omani(s)

adjective: Omani
Ethnic groupspredominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asian, EuropeanArab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS11,000 (2020 est.)2,500 (2019)
ReligionsMuslim 99.1% (official; virtually all are citizens, an estimated 65% are Sunni and 35% are Shia), other 0.9% (includes Jewish, Baha'i, Hindu, and Christian; many are refugees or temporary foreign residents) (2020 est.)Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2010 est.)

note: Omani citizens represent approximately 56.4% of the population and are overwhelming Muslim (Ibadhi and Sunni sects each constitute about 45% and Shia about 5%); Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists account for roughly 5% of Omani citizens
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)<100 (2019)
LanguagesArabic (official); note - a distinct Socotri language is widely used on Socotra Island and Archipelago; Mahri is still fairly widely spoken in eastern Yemen

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70.1%

male: 85.1%

female: 55% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.7%

male: 97%

female: 92.7% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 9 years

male: 11 years

female: 8 years (2011)
total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2019)
Education expendituresNA6.8% of GDP (2017)
Urbanizationurban population: 38.5% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 3.71% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 87% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 87.6% of population

total: 92% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 12.4% of population

total: 8% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 93.1% of population

rural: 48.5% of population

total: 64.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 6.9% of population

rural: 51.5% of population

total: 35.4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population3.075 million SANAA (capital), 1.012 million Aden (2021)1.590 million MUSCAT (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate164 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight39.9% (2013)11.2% (2016/17)
Health expenditures5.6% (2015)4.1% (2018)
Physicians density0.53 physicians/1,000 population (2014)2 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density0.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate17.1% (2016)27% (2016)
Contraceptive prevalence rate33.5% (2013)29.7% (2014)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 71.7

youth dependency ratio: 66.7

elderly dependency ratio: 5

potential support ratio: 19.9 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 33.3

youth dependency ratio: 30

elderly dependency ratio: 3.3

potential support ratio: 29.9 (2020 est.)

Government

YemenOman
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Yemen

conventional short form: Yemen

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

local short form: Al Yaman

former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

etymology: name derivation remains unclear but may come from the Arab term "yumn" (happiness) and be related to the region's classical name "Arabia Felix" (Fertile or Happy Arabia); the Romans referred to the rest of the peninsula as "Arabia Deserta" (Deserted Arabia)
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form: Oman

local long form: Saltanat Uman

local short form: Uman

former: Sultanate of Muscat and Oman

etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but it apparently dates back at least 2,000 years since an "Omana" is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)
Government typein transitionabsolute monarchy
Capitalname: Sanaa

geographic coordinates: 15 21 N, 44 12 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name is reputed to mean "well-fortified" in Sabaean, the South Arabian language that went extinct in Yemen in the 6th century A.D.
name: Muscat

geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name, whose meaning is uncertain, traces back almost two millennia; two 2nd century A.D. scholars, the geographer Ptolemy and the historian Arrian, both mention an Arabian Sea coastal town of Moscha, which most likely referred to Muscat
Administrative divisions22 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan (Aden), Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah (Sanaa City), 'Amran, Arkhabil Suqutra (Socotra Archipelago), Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a' (Sanaa), Shabwah, Ta'izz11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)
Independence22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); notable earlier dates: North Yemen became independent on 1 November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and became a republic with the overthrow of the theocratic Imamate on 27 September 1962; South Yemen became independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holidayUnification Day, 22 May (1990)National Day, 18 November; note - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020
Constitutionhistory: adopted by referendum 16 May 1991 (following unification); note - after the National  Dialogue ended in January 2015, a Constitutional Drafting Committee appointed by the president worked to prepare a new draft constitution that was expected to be put to a national referendum before being adopted; however, the start of the current conflict in early 2015 interrupted the process

amendments: amended several times, last in 2009
history: promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011

amendments: promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree; amended by royal decree 2011, 2021
Legal systemmixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law, Napoleonic law, English common law, and customary lawmixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote
Executive branchchief of state: President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI (since 21 February 2012); Vice President ALI MUHSIN al-Ahmar, Lt. Gen. (since 3 April 2016)

head of government: Prime Minister Maeen Abd al-Malik SAEED (since 15 October 2018)

cabinet: appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2012 (next election NA); note - a special election was held on 21 February 2012 to remove Ali Abdallah SALIH under the terms of a Gulf Cooperation Council-mediated deal during the political crisis of 2011; vice president appointed by the president; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI (GPC) elected as a consensus president with about 50% popular participation; no other candidates
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

elections/appointments: members of the Ruling Family Council determine a successor from the sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within 3 days of the sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the sultan
Legislative branchdescription: bicameral Parliament or Majlis consists of:
Shura Council or Majlis Alshoora (111 seats; members appointed by the president; member tenure NA)
House of Representatives or Majlis al Nuwaab (301 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held on 27 April 2003 (next scheduled for April 2009 but postponed indefinitely)

election results:
percent of vote by party - GPC 58.0%, Islah 22.6%, YSP 3.8%, Unionist Party 1.9%, other 13.7%; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 46, YSP 8, Nasserist Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party 2, independent 4
description: bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of:
Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens)
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (86 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - since political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court

elections: Council of State - last appointments on 11 July 2019 (next - NA)
Consultative Assembly - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023)

election results:
Council of State - composition - men 70, women 15, percent of women 17.6%
Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 84, women 2, percent of women 2.3%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 9.9%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president, 2 deputies, and nearly 50 judges; court organized into constitutional, civil, commercial, family, administrative, criminal, military, and appeals scrutiny divisions)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council, which is chaired by the president of the republic and includes 10 high-ranking judicial officers; judges serve for life with mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: appeal courts; district or first instance courts; commercial courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
Political parties and leadersGeneral People's Congress or GPC (3 factions: pro-Hadi [Abdrabbi Mansur HADI], pro-Houthi [Sadeq Ameen Abu RAS], pro-Saleh [Ahmed SALEH]
National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party [Qassem Salam SAID]
Nasserist Unionist People's Organization [Abdulmalik al-MEKHLAFI]
Southern Transitional Council or STC [Aidarus al-ZOUBAIDA]
Yemeni Reform Grouping or Islah [Muhammed Abdallah al-YADUMI]
Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Dr. Abd al-Rahman Umar al-SAQQAF]

(
none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations
International organization participationAFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, EITI (temporarily suspended), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Ahmad Awadh BIN MUBARAK (since 3 August 2015)

chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760

FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017

email address and website:
Information@yemenembassy.org

https://www.yemenembassy.org/
chief of mission: Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Moosa AL TAI (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980

FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

email address and website:
washington@fm.gov.om

https://www.culturaloffice.info/aboutomaniembassy
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Cathy WESTLEY (since 23 May 2021); note - the embassy closed in March 2015; Yemen Affairs Unit currently operates out of US Embassy Riyadh

embassy: previously - Sa'awan Street, Sanaa

mailing address: 6330 Sanaa Place, Washington DC  20521-6330

telephone: US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-3800
previously - [967] 1 755-2000

FAX: US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-7360

email address and website:
YemenEmergencyUSC@state.gov

https://ye.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. TSOU (since 19 January 2020)

embassy: P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat

mailing address: 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC  20521

telephone: [968] 2464-3400

FAX: [968] 2464-3740

email address and website:
ConsularMuscat@state.gov

https://om.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)

note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band
three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
National anthemname: "al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)

lyrics/music: Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI

note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990
name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS

note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCthas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
National symbol(s)golden eagle; national colors: red, white, blackkhanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Yemen; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Oman

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Economy

YemenOman
Economy - overview

Yemen is a low-income country that faces difficult long-term challenges to stabilizing and growing its economy, and the current conflict has only exacerbated those issues. The ongoing war has halted Yemen's exports, pressured the currency's exchange rate, accelerated inflation, severely limited food and fuel imports, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. The conflict has also created a severe humanitarian crisis - the world's largest cholera outbreak currently at nearly 1 million cases, more than 7 million people at risk of famine, and more than 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.

Prior to the start of the conflict in 2014, Yemen was highly dependent on declining oil and gas resources for revenue. Oil and gas earnings accounted for roughly 25% of GDP and 65% of government revenue. The Yemeni Government regularly faced annual budget shortfalls and tried to diversify the Yemeni economy through a reform program designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In July 2014, the government continued reform efforts by eliminating some fuel subsidies and in August 2014, the IMF approved a three-year, $570 million Extended Credit Facility for Yemen.

However, the conflict that began in 2014 stalled these reform efforts and ongoing fighting continues to accelerate the country's economic decline. In September 2016, President HADI announced the move of the main branch of Central Bank of Yemen from Sanaa to Aden where his government could exert greater control over the central bank's dwindling resources. Regardless of which group controls the main branch, the central bank system is struggling to function. Yemen's Central Bank's foreign reserves, which stood at roughly $5.2 billion prior to the conflict, have declined to negligible amounts. The Central Bank can no longer fully support imports of critical goods or the country's exchange rate. The country also is facing a growing liquidity crisis and rising inflation. The private sector is hemorrhaging, with almost all businesses making substantial layoffs. Access to food and other critical commodities such as medical equipment is limited across the country due to security issues on the ground. The Social Welfare Fund, a cash transfer program for Yemen's neediest, is no longer operational and has not made any disbursements since late 2014.

Yemen will require significant international assistance during and after the protracted conflict to stabilize its economy. Long-term challenges include a high population growth rate, high unemployment, declining water resources, and severe food scarcity.

Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman's budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency's fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit.

Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture.

Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government's budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$73.63 billion (2017 est.)

$78.28 billion (2016 est.)

$90.63 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$135.814 billion (2019 est.)

$138.089 billion (2018 est.)

$135.696 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate-5.9% (2017 est.)

-13.6% (2016 est.)

-16.7% (2015 est.)
-0.9% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

4.7% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$2,500 (2017 est.)

$2,700 (2016 est.)

$3,200 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$27,299 (2019 est.)

$28,593 (2018 est.)

$29,082 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 20.3% (2017 est.)

industry: 11.8% (2017 est.)

services: 67.9% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 46.4% (2017 est.)

services: 51.8% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line48.6% (2014 est.)NA
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.)
lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)24.7% (2017 est.)

-12.6% (2016 est.)
0.1% (2019 est.)

0.7% (2018 est.)

1.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force7.425 million (2017 est.)2.255 million (2016 est.)

note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national
Labor force - by occupation

note: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force

agriculture: 4.7% NA

industry: 49.6% NA

services: 45% NA (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate27% (2014 est.)

35% (2003 est.)

NA

Budgetrevenues: 2.821 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.458 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 22.14 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 31.92 billion (2017 est.)
Industriescrude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles, leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; aluminum products; cement; commercial ship repair; natural gas productioncrude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate8.9% (2017 est.)-3% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsmangoes/guavas, potatoes, sorghum, onions, milk, poultry, watermelons, grapes, oranges, bananasdates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons
Exports$384.5 million (2017 est.)

$940 million (2016 est.)
$103.3 billion (2017 est.)

$27.54 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiescrude petroleum, gold, fish, industrial chemical liquids, scrap iron (2019)crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, iron products, fertilizers (2019)
Exports - partnersChina 53%, Saudi Arabia 10%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Australia 5% (2019)China 46%, India 8%, Japan 6%, South Korea 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019)
Imports$4.079 billion (2017 est.)

$3.117 billion (2016 est.)
$24.12 billion (2017 est.)

$21.29 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditieswheat, refined petroleum, iron, rice, cars (2019)cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, iron (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 25%, Turkey 10%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, India 7% (2019)United Arab Emirates 36%, China 10%, Japan 7%, India 7%, United States 5% (2019)
Debt - external$6.805 billion (2018 est.)

$7.181 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$46.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$27.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange ratesYemeni rials (YER) per US dollar -

275 (2017 est.)

214.9 (2016 est.)

214.9 (2015 est.)

228 (2014 est.)

214.89 (2013 est.)
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -

0.38505 (2020 est.)

0.38505 (2019 est.)

0.385 (2018 est.)

0.3845 (2014 est.)

0.3845 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt74.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

68.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$245.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$592.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$1.236 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.868 billion (2016 est.)
-$10.76 billion (2017 est.)

-$12.32 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$54.356 billion (2018 est.)$76.883 billion (2019 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 31.8 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 76.8 (2020)

Trading score: 0 (2020)

Enforcement score: 48.5 (2020)
Overall score: 70 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 93.5 (2020)

Trading score: 84.1 (2020)

Enforcement score: 61.9 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-5.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 24.5%

male: 23.5%

female: 34.6% (2014 est.)
total: 13.7%

male: 10.3%

female: 33.9% (2016)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 116.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 2.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 7.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -43.9% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 36.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 26.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 27.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 51.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving-1.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

-3.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

-4.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
14.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

19% of GDP (2018 est.)

12% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

YemenOman
Electricity - production4.784 billion kWh (2016 est.)32.16 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption3.681 billion kWh (2016 est.)28.92 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production61,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)979,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports8,990 bbl/day (2015 est.)844,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves3 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)5.373 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves478.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)651.3 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)31.23 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)21.94 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)11.16 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)1.982 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity1.819 million kW (2016 est.)8.167 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels79% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources21% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production20,180 bbl/day (2015 est.)229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption104,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)188,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports12,670 bbl/day (2015 est.)33,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports75,940 bbl/day (2015 est.)6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 47% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 72% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 31% (2019)
electrification - total population: 99% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019)

Telecommunications

YemenOman
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 1,253,287

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.28 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 592,196

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16.66 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 16,158,028

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55.18 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 6,383,458

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 179.57 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.ye.om
Internet userstotal: 7,659,884

percent of population: 26.72% (July 2018 est.)
total: 2,801,932

percent of population: 80.19% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

large percent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance and telecom services are vital but disrupted; mobile towers are often deliberately targeted; maintenance is dangerous to staff; aid organizations rely on satellite and radio communications; scarcity of telecom equipment in rural areas; ownership of telecom services and the related revenues and taxes have become a political issue; Chinese company Huawei helping to rebuild some equipment (2020)

(2020)

domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, GSM and CDMA mobile-cellular telephone systems; fixed-line teledensity remains low by regional standards at 4 per 100 but mobile cellular use expanding at 55 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 967; landing points for the FALCON, SeaMeWe-5, Aden-Djibouti, and the AAE-1 international submarine cable connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Southeast Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti (2020)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; domestic satellite system; progressive mobile sector with both 3G and 4G LTE networks and readiness for 5G launch; competition among mobile operators; government program to improve fiber network; important communications hub in the Middle East, with access to numerous submarine cables enabling increased bandwidth; major importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from UAE (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular 138 per 100, subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems (2019)

international: country code - 968; landing points for GSA, AAE-1, SeaMeWe-5, Tata TGN-Gulf, FALCON, GBICS/MENA, MENA/Guld Bridge International, TW1, BBG, EIG, OMRAN/EPEG, and POI submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 386,330

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2018 est.)
total: 473,070

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.31 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediastate-run TV with 2 stations; state-run radio with 2 national radio stations and 5 local stations; stations from Oman and Saudi Arabia can be accessed1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and several additional stations now operating (2019)

Transportation

YemenOman
Roadwaystotal: 71,300 km (2005)

paved: 6,200 km (2005)

unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)
total: 60,230 km (2012)

paved: 29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways) (2012)

unpaved: 30,545 km (2012)
Pipelines641 km gas, 22 km liquid petroleum gas, 1370 km oil (2013)106 km condensate, 4224 km gas, 3558 km oil, 33 km oil/gas/water, 264 km refined products (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukallamajor seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (4,109,000) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat
Merchant marinetotal: 33

by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 27 (2020)
total: 55

by type: general cargo 10, other 45 (2020)
Airportstotal: 57 (2013)total: 132 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 17 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 4 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 13 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 7 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 40 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 3 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 16 (2013)

under 914 m: 9 (2013)
total: 119 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 33 (2013)

under 914 m: 26 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 336,310 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3.27 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 57

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 10,438,241 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 510.43 million mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix7OA4O

Military

YemenOman
Military branches

as of 2020-2021, military and security forces operating in Yemen consists of a patchwork of government, non-state, and foreign-backed regular, semi-regular/militia, and paramilitary forces, often with informal command organizations and conflicting, fluid, or overlapping agendas, loyalties, and relationships; in addition, the Huthis maintain opposition military and security forces

Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) forces; Ministry of Defense: Yemeni National Army, Air Force and Air Defense, Navy and Coastal Defense Forces, Border Guard, Strategic Reserve Forces (includes Special Forces and Presidential Protection Brigades, which are under the Ministry of Defense but responsible to the president), Popular Committee Forces (government-backed tribal militia); Ministry of Interior: Special Security Forces (paramilitary; formerly known as Central Security Forces), Political Security Organization (state security), National Security Bureau (intelligence), Counterterrorism Unit

Saudi-backed forces: paramilitary/militia border security brigades based largely on tribal or regional affiliation (deployed along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf)

United Arab Emirates-backed forces include tribal and regionally-based militia and paramilitary forces (concentrated in the southern governates):  Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, including the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami "Elit-e" Forces, the Support and Backup Forces (aka Logistics and Support Forces), Facilities Protection Forces, and Anti-Terrorism Forces; Republican Forces; Joint Forces; note - under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, the STC forces are to be incorporated into Yemen's Ministries of Defense and Interior under the authority of the HADI government

Huthi: ground, air/air defense, coastal defense, presidential protection, special operations, missile, and tribal militia forces



note - a considerable portion--up to 70 percent by some estimates--of Yemen's military and security forces defected in whole or in part to former president SALAH and the Huthi opposition in 2011-2015

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO); Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2021)
Military service age and obligation18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2001; 2-year service obligation (note - limited information since the start of the civil war) (2019)18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP4.3% of GDP (2014)

4.3% of GDP (2013)

4.7% of GDP (2012)

5% of GDP (2011)

4.8% of GDP (2010)

note - no reliable information exists following the start of renewed conflict in 2015
10.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

8.8% of GDP (2019)

8.2% of GDP (2018)

12.8% of GDP (2017)

16% of GDP (2016)
Maritime threats

the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued Maritime Advisory 2020-017 (Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean-Violence Due to Regional Conflict and Piracy) effective 14 December 2020, which states in part the "Conflict in Yemen continues to pose potential risk to US flagged commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden. Threats may come from a variety of different sources including, but not limited to, missiles, rockets, projectiles, mines, small arms, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, or waterborne improvised explosive devices. These threat vectors continue to pose a direct or collateral risk to US flagged commercial vessels operating in the region. Additionally, piracy poses a threat in the Gulf of Aden, Western Arabian Sea, and Western Indian Ocean."

the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-003A Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 26 February 2021, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region"; Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman

Military and security service personnel strengths

information limited and widely varied; ROYG: up to 300,000 estimated military, paramilitary, and militia forces; UAE- and Saudi-backed forces: 150-200,000 estimated trained fighters; Huthis: up to 200,000 estimated fighters (2021)

the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) have approximately 40,000 total active troops (26,000 Army, 4,000 Navy; 4,000 Air Force; 6,000 Royal Guard) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe inventory of the Yemeni Government forces consists primarily of Russian and Soviet-era equipment, although much of it has been lost in the current conflict; since the start of the civil war in 2014, it has received limited amounts of donated equipment from some Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia and UAE (2020)the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly Europe and the US; since 2010, the UK is the leading provider of armaments to Oman, followed by the US (2020)

Transnational Issues

YemenOman
Disputes - international

Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities

boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public

Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 112,865 (Somalia), 16,193 (Ethiopia) (2021)

IDPs: 4,002,012 (conflict in Sa'ada Governorate; clashes between al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula and government forces) (2020)
refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2017)

Environment

YemenOman
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 44.96 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 10.61 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.03 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 38.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 63.46 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 5.6 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 265 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 65 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 3.235 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 135 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.607 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,836,820 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 386,946 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,734,885 tons (2014 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook