Amidst Ambitions and Attachment: Yemeni Youth’s Take on Emigration

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

With Yemen’s economy and security in shambles, emigration, especially among young Yemenis, is a huge issue. It’s constantly on the minds of many young people. Some chase the dream of a better life elsewhere, while others choose to stay and try to improve things at home.

Opinions are divided. Some see emigration as an escape from a tough situation, while others believe staying and working to improve things is the answer. Ultimately, they all share the hope for a better future, whether at home or abroad.

The Social and Economic Factors

Yemen has sky-high unemployment and collapsing basic services like education, healthcare, and security. This has made life incredibly hard, especially for young people, making finding jobs and a stable life extremely difficult. For many young Yemenis, emigration is the only option to find better-paying jobs and a better standard of living.

Anwar Ali Ghalib says the issue of young Yemenis emigrating is complex, and affected by many social, economic, and political factors.

He says, “A decent life requires certain social and economic things, like security, basic services like education and healthcare, and job opportunities. With the situation in Yemen, life has become hard for many because of the economic pressure from high living costs and low wages.”

He also points out that, with widespread unemployment and a lack of jobs at home, emigration seems like a more realistic and less risky option for young Yemenis. Many Yemenis feel forced to seek a better life in other countries, where they can find jobs to improve their lives and escape poverty.

Khawla Al-Salih, a journalist and activist, agrees. She says, “The events that have shaken Yemen and the conflict’s impact on many vital sectors have severely affected young people’s lives and futures. Young people can’t achieve their ambitions—stable jobs and social lives—because of the conflict, which has wrecked the economy and left the government unable to provide basic services.”

She adds, “Yemen has shockingly high unemployment, no jobs, and collapsing basic services. There’s a lack of medical professionals, weak healthcare and education, and no security or freedom of speech. This has driven many young people to emigrate to find better jobs and wages that guarantee a decent life.”

The Positive Role of Emigration

Al-Salih also highlights the positive role emigration plays in supporting Yemen’s economy. Emigrants are a major source of foreign currency through remittances sent to their families. These remittances are a lifeline for many families who rely on them to meet their daily needs, especially with the collapsing economy and falling value of the national currency.

She explains that the desire for better educational opportunities and professional development is a key driver for many young people, including herself and her friends, to emigrate and find environments that offer the education and job opportunities currently lacking in Yemen.

Mohammed Al-Arifi confirms this, saying, “Young Yemenis face a deeply frustrating reality. Sadly, our country has become unlivable due to the poor economic, social, political, and security situation, leading to a recent surge in youth emigration.”

Huda Al-Shabibi, a visual artist, sees emigration as the only path to a brighter future. She says, “Many of our rights are violated in our country. We can’t even get the most basic things—free education, healthcare, etc.—that would make us want to stay. So, ambitious young people like us see emigration as a lifeline to get what’s rightfully ours.”

Self-Actualization and a Decent Life

“You’re not a tree, you should move,” Abdullah Haris, a young Yemeni who emigrated to Turkey, said, backing emigration. He explained, “Emigration’s a chance for young people to achieve their professional dreams. Moving to a new environment offers better learning, development, and independence.”

He added, “Emigration boosts self-esteem. When someone leaves their home country for a completely different environment, it shows real courage, determination, and adaptability. That builds confidence and self-worth in all aspects of their lives.”

He pointed out that young Yemenis face harsh realities. Emigration often becomes a way to achieve a decent life—not just financial and security stability, but self-discovery, respect, well-being, and fulfilling work aligned with their passions and aspirations.

Ahmad Al-Basha, a government employee, supports emigration if the opportunity significantly improves one’s life. He acknowledges the challenges facing Yemeni emigrants but notes that many see it as a pathway to better living conditions and educational opportunities compared to Yemen. Understanding their experiences and supporting their integration is crucial.

Dalil Al-Shamiri, head of the Health Ministry employees’ union, agrees that emigrating to better countries provides good jobs and boosts education and skills, keeping pace with developments and labor market needs.

He explained that the conflict destroyed infrastructure and the economy, increasing youth hardship. The lack of freedoms and civil liberties pushed many young Yemenis to seek safety and peace in countries that respect human rights and allow people to build their futures freely.

Contrary Views

However, some oppose emigration, believing it robs young people of their identity and connection to their homeland.

Ali Al-Dubaish, an activist opposing emigration, says the exodus has dramatically increased due to the conflict and harsh living conditions. He says, “Our youth are caught between ambition and the pain of being away from family, a major challenge for emigrants.”

He insists that emigration isn’t the only solution. He believes they should work together to improve their situation in Yemen instead of fleeing.

He adds, “Emigrants face tough psychological situations, missing family and friends, feeling out of place. There’s no place like home.”

Manal Mohammed, a university student, points to the risks emigrants face, such as exploitation and racism. She says, “Many don’t realize the challenges, like assault, exploitation by smugglers, and the difficulty of integrating into new societies due to language, cultural, and social barriers.”

She added that the emigration of skilled and educated youth leads to a brain drain. She believes the Yemeni government and the international community must address the root causes of youth emigration.

In conclusion, emigration is a complex issue carrying both hope and challenges for young Yemenis. Addressing the root causes is the only way to reduce this phenomenon and ensure a better future for Yemen’s youth.