Amidst Absence and Longing: The Impact of Youth Emigration on Yemeni Families

Hebah Mohammed – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

At the moment of saying goodbye, the dreams of young people unfold far from their homeland, leaving behind friends, loved ones, and possibly a rich history of roots and belonging. “Youth migration” is a concept that carries complex social and psychological transformations, and its impacts clearly reflect on Yemeni families, making radical changes in their daily lives.

In this world full of challenges and opportunities, Yemeni families waver between the reality of loss and hopes for the future, as their young people leave for countries they only know by name. This journey, starting with a difficult decision and ending with a prolonged absence, leaves a resounding impact on family relationships and raises questions about identity, belonging, and sacrifice.

Youths’ Departure and its Impact on Families

Amid the difficult circumstances in Yemen due to the conflicts, youth emigration has become a phenomenon deeply affecting Yemeni families across the country. The impacts range from negative to positive, leaving their mark on the fabric of society and family life.

Dr. Rizq Al-Jabri, a Professor of Population Geography at Hadhramaut University, says, “The exceptional circumstances Yemen is experiencing—armed conflicts, political instability—have driven young people to migrate, both legally and illegally, to Arab and foreign countries.”

He continues, “Unfortunately, there are no statistics on the number of young emigrants, but estimates based on several factors suggest the number reaches over two million, mostly concentrated in Arab countries with a smaller percentage in foreign nations. Social media, publications, cultural magazines, and historical data show that Yemeni emigrants have achieved great successes.”

He adds that during times of conflict, Yemenis find themselves leaving their homeland in search of livelihood and dignity. They leave their land for work, preserving their identity and authenticity, trying to remain connected to their roots despite the geographical distance.

He explains that their journey is a constant search for self; they live abroad amidst the challenges of integration and preserving their Yemeni identity. They cling to the hope of returning with unwavering determination. For them, the land is not just a place, but an integral part of their identity and existence.

He emphasizes that when a Yemeni is oppressed in their own land, they might be forced to leave, but their connection to their homeland remains strong. They leave to reclaim their stolen rights but carry in their hearts and minds the persistent hope of returning, and of achieving the basic rights and dignity that forced them to leave.

Dr. Nadia Al-Saqqaf, former Minister of Information, researcher in Middle Eastern political affairs and democratic processes, shares, “The emigration of Yemeni youth deeply affects the social and economic life of families in Yemeni governorates, especially given the ongoing conflicts and major challenges facing the country, particularly economically. Many Yemeni families heavily rely on remittances from their emigrant children. These remittances often become the primary source of income, helping families meet their basic needs like food, medicine, and education.”

She continues, “Some emigrant youths are accused of abandoning their families or escaping the challenges in Yemen. This criticism reflects the frustration and despair felt by those who remained, who feel left to face the conflicts alone. These accusations can widen the gap between emigrants and their families at home; some feel the emigrants live better lives and forget their families’ suffering.”

She concludes, “Therefore, it can be said that the emigration of Yemeni youth creates social and psychological tension between those abroad and those who stayed behind, further complicating family and social relationships and affecting community ties in general.”

Dr. Jasim Abdullah, a sociology professor at Hadhramaut University’s College of Arts and Humanities, points out that migration leaves its mark on both the communities that migrants leave behind and those they join. These impacts are varied, positive and negative, depending on factors like the migrants’ intellectual, economic, and social standing, and the length of their stay abroad.

He believes economic motives for migration significantly impact the social and economic lives of families in Yemeni governorates, improving living conditions and providing financial stability. This allows families to invest in various ways, such as starting small businesses in urban centers or buying land and building, boosting urban development and creating jobs. This investment in land and construction, he notes, creates employment opportunities, supporting Yemen’s development programs. However, he also acknowledges that while migration improves the economic standing of connected families, it can lead to laziness and over-reliance on remittances instead of seeking stable income sources.

He explained that the influx of foreign money, especially currencies with higher value than the local currency, led to a class divide within society. These families became more consumerist than before, and in some cases, these remittances caused children to be less interested in continuing their education; they relied on the money they received instead of striving to develop their academic and professional skills.

Aziz Abdul-Jabbar, a young Yemeni who settled in China, shares his experience: “During conflicts, migrants find themselves torn between the land they left and the one they dream of returning to. They live in constant longing, yearning for the moment of return. But the harsh reality is often crueler than their dreams, especially as conflicts and migration continue, generations pass, and issues of belonging and identity arise.” He adds, “Migration journeys between countries repeat, yet a final return remains rare, like a jewel. Even when it happens, it’s often seen as a disappointment, carrying various challenges reflecting the migrants’ failures and disappointments, both financially and emotionally. The longing for home remains powerfully present.”

Studies and Statistics

Dr. Nadia Al-Saqqaf mentions studies exploring the impact of youth migration on families, particularly concerning family breakdown and its effects on women and children. A key finding is that while migration may provide financial resources, it can increase psychological and social burdens, especially for women who take on double roles in the absence of men.

According to Al-Saqqaf, current estimates indicate over 10 million Yemenis have settled in about 40 countries across continents, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. This global distribution of Yemeni communities contributes to remittances estimated at $3.4 billion annually, a significant source for the local economy and social stability.

Dr. Jasim Abdullah advocates for more in-depth local studies analyzing youth migration and its impacts, along with developing scientific strategies to address it effectively. He calls for enhanced cooperation between the government and relevant authorities and the creation of accurate databases to facilitate scientific and realistic study of migration and displacement.

He points to studies analyzing migration motives and identifying vulnerable groups. The Global Economy website, specializing in economic outlooks, has noted a rise in the emigration of skilled and scientific personnel in the Arab world, reflecting the difficult internal conditions. According to the report, Syria topped the list (8.1), followed by Morocco (7.4), and Yemen came third (6.7). Qatar was the least affected Arab country by the emigration of scientific expertise.

Bridges of Nostalgia

In a journey fraught with challenges and hope, young Yemeni migrants live an extraordinary experience shaped by remittances sent to their families back home. These aren’t just financial transfers; they’re vital links connecting ambition and reality, the seriousness of building a better future with the longing for belonging and the yearning for their roots.

If you live in Yemen, you’ll find countless stories blending pain and hope. In a country with over 7 million Yemenis scattered across six continents (according to official and unofficial sources), compared to a total population of over 30 million, nearly half the diaspora lives in Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia.

Fatima, an elderly mother of seven, has three children abroad – one in Saudi Arabia, one in Malaysia, and one in the Netherlands – while the other four died in the conflicts. She stands every month outside Al-Kuraimi Bank, leaning on her iron cane, amidst a long line of women and mothers, waiting for their children’s remittances at the money exchange windows.

Fatima says, “Despite missing my three children terribly and wishing I could see them, even for an hour, I remember what their situation would be like if they were in Yemen. They might have joined their brothers in the afterlife.”

Fatima emphasizes that she lives, spends, and shoulders the responsibility for her daughters and living expenses – rent, electricity, and water – thanks to her children’s remittances, which she eagerly awaits monthly to partially pay off their debts.

As I pulled her aside from the crowd, I suddenly saw her wiping away tears from her eyes, reflecting a deep longing for her children. When I asked if they could return to see her, Fatima sighed. Sadly, they can’t: one handed over his passport at the Dutch airport and entered as a refugee; another has significant debts; and the third, due to his harsh treatment by his sponsor in Saudi Arabia, isn’t allowed to leave or return.

Fatima points out that she single-handedly bears the hardships of life, despite her aging body, after her husband passed away and her children emigrated. Fatima’s not alone; her story is one of thousands reflected in the faces of those women anxiously waiting outside money exchange banks for those banknotes. Because of these remittances, many social ties have fractured, yet they carry with them bridges of longing and the hope of returning home.

Challenges of Asylum and High Costs

Abdul-Jabbar, a migrant, says, “Living as a Yemeni political refugee prevents you from returning to Yemen or seeing your family. It’s incredibly difficult. The exorbitant costs of returning to Yemen, potentially exceeding $2,000, put many in an unbearable financial predicament.”

He adds, “The little money they struggle to earn barely covers the essentials: food, drink, and shelter, plus sending money to their struggling families. Sadly, some lose their closest relatives, like their parents, without being able to return to say goodbye, leaving them with profound regret and pain.”

He emphasizes the painful reality that every Yemeni migrant lives in constant fear of abandoning their studies, projects, and future abroad to return to their families. The decision to return is difficult, involving significant sacrifices and considerable risks.

Challenges Facing Yemeni Families

Regarding the main challenges facing Yemeni families due to youth migration, Dr. Jasim Abdullah Awadh says, “Family life is subjected to anxiety and turmoil, which can lead to psychological problems and illness, as well as emotional deprivation due to the length of migration, which can range from one to two years, or even longer in some cases.”

He continues, “Increased burdens on women who shoulder all the responsibilities of childcare; delayed marriage for girls due to youth migration, resulting in widespread spinsterhood; the continued absence of migrants, especially married men, significantly affects marital relationships, potentially leading to separation.”

He also mentioned that a husband’s long-term migration makes it difficult for the wife to fulfill all his roles and responsibilities, weakening his authority due to his prolonged absence. The absent husband deprives the children of a good role model.

He points out that this leads to a significant decrease in the birth rate, as well as changes in the husband-wife relationship related to the length of the husband’s migration and a weakening of feelings between them.