Yemen Population
Yemen has an estimated population of about 40.6 million, which makes it the 38th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.98% a year.
The capital is Sana'a.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2015–2024 (World Bank)
How Yemen's population is changing
Yemen records about 3,818 births and 526 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 3,292 people per day, or about 1.20 million a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 10,482 over the reported period, with more people leaving than arriving. That is small next to its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Yemen would take roughly 24 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2015 to 2024, the population rose from 31.2 million to 40.6 million — a gain of 9.42 million, or 30.2%.
Where people live in Yemen
With about 75 people per square kilometre, Yemen is moderately populated, roughly 1.2× the world average of 62. That ranks 71st of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Tajikistan and Tanzania.
Yemen covers about 527,970 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 40.6 million into that density figure.
About 36.8% of people live in urban areas, making Yemen split between town and countryside, below the world average of 57.6%. That works out to roughly 14.9 million town and city dwellers and 25.6 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Yemen
Yemen has a very young population: about 41.1% are under 15 and 2.5% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 16.3 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 4.50 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 69.4 years, roughly 4.0 years below the global average of 73.5.
Yemen at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40.6 million | 2024 |
| World rank by population | #38 | 2024 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.98% | 2024 |
| Population density | 75 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 527,970 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 36.8% | 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 69.4 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 4.50 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 41.1% | 2024 |
| Population 65 and over | 2.5% | 2024 |
| Net migration | -10,482 | 2024 |
| Births per day | 3,818 | 2024 |
| Deaths per day | 526 | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
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Where do these Yemen figures come from?
Current local time in Yemen
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2024. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank