Yemen Rate of Natural Increase

Yemen’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—remains among the highest in the Arabian Peninsula, reflecting its persistently high fertility rates and relatively young population. As of the early 2020s, Yemen’s RNI hovers around 2.2% to 2.5% per year, significantly higher than its wealthier neighbors such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, whose RNIs are typically below 1.5% and, in some cases, close to zero due to declining birth rates and aging populations. Unlike its neighbors, which have undergone demographic transitions marked by improved healthcare, education, and economic development, Yemen’s ongoing conflict, limited access to healthcare, and lower levels of female education contribute to higher birth rates and slower declines in mortality. In contrast, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have seen their natural increase rates slow dramatically over recent decades, largely due to urbanization and greater access to family planning, highlighting a stark demographic divergence within the region.

Data from US Census International Database