Yemen’s Economic Crisis and the Search for Opportunities Abroad

Yasmine Abdulhafeez – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Ahmad Salim (a pseudonym) supports his family: three sisters, his mother, wife, and child. He decided to illegally immigrate to a European country after life in Yemen became unbearable due to the deteriorating living conditions and the difficulty of providing a decent life for his family.

He initially tried to stay, but couldn’t find work to meet his family’s needs, so he emigrated without hesitation.

Ahmad’s story reflects the reality of many young Yemenis facing a major economic crisis, forcing them to make difficult decisions like illegal immigration. His struggles highlight how Yemen’s economic downturn impacts family stability.

The ongoing conflict has crippled Yemen’s economy, causing a mass exodus of young Yemenis. Soaring poverty, unemployment, and the skyrocketing cost of living have pushed millions to the brink of starvation. This has put immense pressure on young people to find ways to feed themselves and their families, leading them to emigrate and seek better opportunities, even if it means risking their lives.

The Economic Situation

Numerous reports confirm that the collapsing economy is pushing millions of Yemenis, especially young people, to consider emigration as an escape from poverty and hunger. With dwindling job opportunities and deteriorating essential services, many feel forced to risk dangerous journeys abroad in search of better prospects.

The World Bank’s June 2024 Yemen Economic Monitor painted a grim picture of the economic and humanitarian situation. The ongoing conflict and regional tensions have exacerbated the economic collapse, directly affecting citizens, particularly young people facing daily struggles with poverty and food insecurity.

The report indicated that Yemen’s GDP shrank by 2.0% in 2023, with projections of a further 1.0% contraction in 2024. This continuous decline weakens economic recovery prospects and worsens the crisis.

Between 2015 and 2023, GDP per capita fell by 54%, reflecting a severe decline in living standards and a surge in poverty. Half of Yemen’s population faces food insecurity, adding further pressure on families and young people struggling to meet basic needs.

The report also highlighted the double-edged effect of resumed cash transfers on Yemen’s economy. While providing some relief, it increased inflationary pressures, varying significantly across regions. Sana’a saw an 11.8% contraction, indicating a decline in economic activity, while Aden faced high inflation at 7%, due to the local currency’s devaluation, which sharply increased essential goods costs by over 60%.

Many economic reports show Yemen’s economy has become heavily consumption-based, importing over 80% of its needs, exacerbating the financial and economic crisis. This dependence on imports, coupled with food insecurity, drains financial resources and makes the economy vulnerable to external shocks. The conflict has weakened economic infrastructure, hindered development, and led to the politicization of the economy, deepening social and economic crises.

All these economic factors have made emigration even more challenging, worsening the economic crisis and unemployment within the country.

The Situation’s Impact on Youth

A twenty-something describes the economic hardships he faced during his illegal migration to Germany, traveling through Russia, Belarus, and Poland and the challenges he encountered. The journey became a life-threatening adventure.

His seven-month odyssey exemplifies the difficulties faced by young Yemenis undertaking illegal migration. He faced serious risks crossing borders by land and air, even trekking through dense forests. He relied on human smugglers more interested in profit than human life; he lost over $6,000.

Musa Hiba, an aspiring writer, says, “I believe the mass emigration of young people is a direct result of the ongoing conflict, which has caused the country’s economy to collapse and widespread unemployment, especially among young people.”

He continues, “The conflict and its consequences have led many young people to consider leaving the country – escaping this “big prison,” so to speak – to find a livelihood that secures a minimally decent life. Many resort to the considerable risks of illegal migration, especially those who cannot afford the legal immigration requirements, such as passports and visas.”

He emphasizes that many young people have lost their lives on national borders due to border guard shootings, starvation, or inhumane treatment of undocumented migrants. Many lose limbs or suffer permanent disabilities.

He adds, “Despite the constant news of migrant tragedies, the number of people attempting illegal migration increases daily, regardless of the risks. This is due to extreme poverty and low living standards among many families whose young people can’t find work at home, forcing many to emigrate to support their families.”

Regarding the role of relevant authorities, he asserts that the state is completely unable to provide even minimum legal protection to these young migrants, and embassies in those countries are distant from their citizens’ concerns.

He adds, “A Yemeni citizen fleeing conflict and economic crises isn’t just a migrant; they’re a refugee by all legal and humanitarian standards. However, there’s an exception applied against Yemeni refugees globally; they don’t receive the humane treatment and protection guaranteed by international refugee law.”

Reasons and Motives

Economist and journalist, Nabil Abdul-Wasi’, says, “Young Yemenis, like young people in many fragile countries, have many reasons to emigrate. The main one is economic hardship; they’re looking for ways to make money and achieve their dreams.”

He continues, “While seemingly driven by economic factors, the underlying motivations are diverse. Young people might emigrate to develop their talents, and pursue careers, regardless of the risks.”

He points out that some seek to fulfill personal ambitions: joining a sports club, showcasing an invention ignored at home, or proving themselves abroad. Others aim for better education in advanced institutions—a rare reason; they see education as a path to professional and academic success unavailable at home.

He emphasizes that while motivations vary, economic factors remain the common thread pushing most young people to emigrate.

Generally, young Yemenis struggle to save or invest in small businesses due to financial instability and a plummeting currency. Building a sustainable future at home feels almost impossible.