World Factbook
Yemen
Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black meaning: the band colors come 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 flags of Iraq (Arabic inscription centered in the white band) and Egypt (heraldic eagle centered in the white band)
Capital
name
Sanaa
etymology
the name is reputed to mean "fortified place" in an ancient language
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
15 21 N, 44 12 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship 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
Constitution
history
adopted by referendum 16 May 1991 (following unification)
Country name
former
Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]
etymology
the name origin is unclear but may come from the Arabic word al-yamin , meaning "the right," as a reference to its geographic position in relation to Mecca
local long form
Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
local short form
Al Yaman
conventional long form
Republic of Yemen
conventional short form
Yemen
Independence
22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]); notable earlier dates: 1 November 1918 (North Yemen independent from the Ottoman Empire), 27 September 1962 (North Yemen becomes republic), 30 November 1967 (South Yemen independent from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of Islamic (sharia) law, Napoleonic law, English common law, and customary law
Government type
in transition
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
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)
subordinate courts
appeal courts; district or first instance courts; commercial courts
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
Executive branch
note
note: on 7 April 2022, President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI announced his abdication, the dismissal of Vice President ALI MUHSIN al-Ahmar and the formation of a Presidential Leadership Council, an eight-member body chaired by former minister Rashad AL-ALIMI; on 19 April 2022, the Council was sworn in before Parliament and began assuming the responsibilities of the president and vice president and carrying out the political, security, and military duties of the government; in May 2025, Chairperson al-ALIMI made changes to his cabinet
cabinet
24 members from northern and southern Yemen, with representatives from Yemen's major political parties
chief of state
Presidential Leadership Council Chairperson Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-ALIMI (since 19 April 2022)
election results
2012: Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI (GPC) elected consensus president
head of government
Prime Minister Salim Salih BIN BURAYK (since 9 May 2025)
most recent election date
21 February 2012
election/appointment process
formerly, the president was directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister appointed by the president
National holiday
Unification Day, 22 May (1990)
National color(s)
red, white, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (4 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Old Walled City of Shibam (c); Old City of Sana'a (c); Historic Town of Zabid (c); Socotra Archipelago (n); Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (c)
Political parties
General People’s Congress or GPC (3 factions: pro-Hadi, pro-Houthi, pro-Salih) Nasserist Unionist People's Organization National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Southern Transitional Council or STC Yemeni Reform Grouping or Islah Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP
Legislative branch
note
note: the last legislative election occurred in 2003, and the six-year term for the House of Representatives expired in 2009. Ongoing instability, beginning in 2011, has since prevented new elections. A new Shura Council was appointed in 2021 and is currently chaired by Dr. Ahmed Obaid bin Dagher (as of Jan 2025).
legislature name
Parliament (Majlis)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)
history
adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990
lyrics/music
Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
Administrative divisions
22 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'izz
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Majlis Annowab)
term in office
6 years
number of seats
301 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/27/2003
percentage of women in chamber
0%
parties elected and seats per party
General People's Congress (GPC) (238); Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Islah) (46); Other (17)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
note
note: the Shura Council serves in an advisory role to the president; it has no legislative responsibilities
chamber name
Shura Council (Majlis Alshoora)
number of seats
111 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/28/2001
percentage of women in chamber
1.1%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 337-2017
chancery
2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 965-4760
chief of mission
Ambassador Abdulwahab Abdullah Ahmed AL-HAJRI (since 24 July 2025)
email address and website
Information@yemenembassy.org https://www.yemenembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-7360
telephone
US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-835-4000
mailing address
6330 Sanaa Place, Washington DC 20521-6330
chief of mission
Ambassador Steven H. FAGIN (since 1 June 2022); note - the embassy closed in March 2015; Yemen Affairs Unit currently operates out of US Embassy Riyadh
email address and website
YemenEmergencyUSC@state.gov https://ye.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
AFESD, 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, UNMHA, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNVIM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt