Economy - overview:
Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported
strong growth in the mid-1990s with the onset of oil production, but
has been harmed by periodic declines in oil prices. Yemen has
embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed
to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to
substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring. International
donors, meeting in Paris in October 2002, agreed on a further $2.3
billion economic support package. Yemen has worked to maintain tight
control over spending and implement additional components of the IMF
program. A high population growth rate and internal political
dissension complicate the government's task.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $15.07 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 22%
industry: 38%
services: 40% (2001)
Population below poverty line:
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.4 (1998)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
NA