Yemen
Data updated Jul 8, 2026
Overall Score
N/A
Challenging
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$240
-86% vs US Avg
Safety Index
14.8
COL Index
48.4
Level 4 β Do Not Travel
Please check the latest official travel advisories for Yemen before planning your trip.
Yemen is not a retirement destination, a remote work base, or a FIRE location. The US State Department has it at a Do Not Travel advisory (Level 4), not Level 2 as listed in the context data, and has suspended embassy operations in Sanaa since 2015. An active civil war involving Houthi forces, Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, and multiple armed factions has been grinding through the country for over a decade. There is no version of this that makes sense for an American expat evaluating relocation options. The numbers in this profile are essentially theoretical, drawn from sparse Numbeo submissions that likely reflect conditions in specific pockets of the country at specific moments, not a livable baseline.
The cost figures here are low on paper. Around $1,200 per month all-in for a single person including a one-bedroom apartment sounds cheap, and a $240 rent figure is among the lowest you will find anywhere. But those numbers exist in a context where the Yemeni rial has collapsed, formal banking is largely nonfunctional, ATM networks are unreliable or nonexistent in conflict zones, and basic goods including food and medicine face severe supply chain disruption. The UN has classified Yemen as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with roughly 17 million people food insecure as of recent estimates. The cheapness is a byproduct of economic collapse, not an arbitrage opportunity.
The practical friction here goes far beyond the usual expat complaints about bureaucracy or language barriers. Fixed broadband clocks in at around 16 to 34 Mbps with 127 to 135ms latency depending on the period, but connectivity is intermittent and infrastructure gets damaged regularly. The healthcare index of 18.5 out of 100 reflects a system where the WHO estimated over half of health facilities were not fully functional even before the most recent escalations. English proficiency is low across the population. There is no functioning expatriate infrastructure, no reliable legal system for property or residency, and no medical evacuation framework you can depend on. Travel insurance policies void coverage in active conflict zones.
On the US tax side, Americans are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live, so your IRS obligations follow you. Yemen has no tax treaty with the United States. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is available in principle if you meet the bona fide residence or physical presence test, letting you exclude up to $126,500 of earned income for 2024. The Foreign Tax Credit exists for taxes paid to foreign governments, but Yemen's tax collection infrastructure has largely broken down and enforcement is inconsistent at best. None of this is a reason to go. The tax position is the least of your concerns in a country where the risk is not bureaucratic but physical.
Recommended Destinations in Yemen
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Sana'a
- Official Language
- Arabic
- Time Zone
- UTC+03:00
- Region
- Middle East
- Population
- 29,825,968
- Healthcare Index
- 18.5
- Internet Speed
- 34.2 Mbps
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Explore data visually
ποΈ Top Cities in Yemen
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Yemen.
CoL Index: 25
Est. Total: ~$520/mo
CoL Index: 23
Est. Total: ~$607/mo
CoL Index: 26
Est. Total: ~$520/mo
CoL Index: 29
Est. Total: ~$634/mo
CoL Index: 31
Est. Total: ~$750/mo
CoL Index: 48
Est. Total: ~$1,182/mo
How far does $1,500 go in Yemen?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Yemen. After accounting for an average rent of $$240, you have approximately $1,260remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs βπ° Cost of Living in Yemen
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means rent is cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means groceries are cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means eating out is cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in Yemen: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $3,488.1 (832,438.0ο·Ό), excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $942.6 (224,961.0ο·Ό), excluding rent.
π Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
Can I afford to live in Yemen?
Comfortable (1.0Γ): balanced baseline lifestyle. Adjusts day-to-day costs only β rent is unaffected.
Yemen
You could save
1,818/mo
Monthly Costs
Attractiveness Scores
Based on national averages. City-level costs may vary. Browse cities in Yemen β
βοΈ Healthcare System
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in Yemen.
Get Covered with SafetyWing βLooking for more options? Check Ekta.
An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Yemen's healthcare system has been severely impacted by ongoing conflict, resulting in damaged infrastructure and shortages of medical supplies. Access to quality care is extremely limited.
Insurance Insights:
Health insurance is virtually nonexistent; most healthcare expenses are paid out-of-pocket.
π Visa & Residency Pathways
π Visa Services
Ready to apply for a Yemen visa?
Get help with your application β tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Process & Requirements:
Due to the ongoing civil war, political fragmentation, and severe humanitarian crisis, Yemen does not have a functioning, safe, or predictable immigration system. The 'difficult' score reflects the reality that the country is an active conflict zone and is not a viable destination for expats or travelers. Government institutions are fractured, and control of the country is divided. There is no reliable process for obtaining a long-term visa or residence permit. Any attempt to enter or reside in the country carries extreme personal risk.
Prior to the conflict, residency was tied to work or business, but this framework is no longer relevant. Consular services are largely suspended, and official information is outdated and unreliable. The security situation is the overriding factor governing any presence in the country.
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
There is no viable pathway to permanent residency or citizenship for a foreign national under the current circumstances. The state institutions required to manage such processes are not functioning effectively across the country. The pre-war citizenship law required 10 years of residence and renunciation of other citizenships, but this is a moot point. Long-term settlement in Yemen is not a feasible or safe option.
π Visa Matcher
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Detailed Visa Options
𧳠Tourist & Short-Stay Information
Extension Notes
Due to the ongoing civil war, regular immigration services are not functioning. Source: N/A
General Visa Notes
US citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Yemen. However, due to the severe political instability and conflict, all Yemeni diplomatic missions in the US have suspended consular services. The U.S. Department of State advises against all travel. Source: U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory.
π΄ Retirement / Passive Income Visa
This country does not have a dedicated retirement visa, but the following notes provide guidance on pathways for retirees.
Income Notes
Yemen does not have a functional retirement visa program due to the ongoing civil war and severe humanitarian crisis. Visa and immigration services are not operating normally for such purposes. Source: General knowledge based on current global travel advisories.
Health Insurance Notes
Yemen does not have a functional retirement visa program due to the ongoing civil war. No standard health insurance requirements for long-term foreign residents are in effect. Source: General knowledge based on current global travel advisories.
π» Digital Nomad Visa
Income Notes
Due to the ongoing civil war and severe instability, Yemen's consular and immigration services are not functioning normally. There is no digital nomad program, and travel to the country is strongly advised against. Source: Most government travel advisories.
π Investor Visa
Investment Details
Investment Options & Notes
Due to the ongoing civil war, there is no functioning investor visa program. Source: N/A
Path to Citizenship
π‘οΈ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
World Bank political stability estimate, rescaled to 0-100. Higher is better.
π¦ Taxation & Finance
π¦ Tax Snapshot
FEIE Interaction
FTC Utility: low
Yemen's income tax is rarely collected in practice due to the collapse of government institutions. Little to no creditable foreign tax is actually paid by most expats, making the Foreign Tax Credit of minimal use. FEIE is generally the more practical exclusion mechanism.
Presence Day Count Notes
The standard 330-day physical presence test applies. Yemen has been under active conflict since 2015 and the US State Department has maintained a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory. Most Americans present in Yemen are humanitarian or security contractors. Day counting follows standard IRS rules regardless of conflict conditions.
FBAR Trigger Notes
FBAR filing is required if aggregate foreign financial account balances exceed $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. Yemen has no functioning banking system in large parts of the country. Accounts held at Yemeni banks - if accessible - still trigger FBAR. Accounts held in third countries by Yemen-based expats are also reportable.
401k/IRA Treatment
Pension Income
Pension income is technically subject to progressive income tax under domestic law. Practical collection is absent due to the collapse of tax administration infrastructure during the civil conflict.
Not Taxed LocallySocial Security
No US-Yemen totalization or tax treaty. US Social Security benefits received by a resident could theoretically be taxed as income, but effective enforcement does not exist.
Not Taxed LocallyRoth Distributions
No treaty exists and no specific provision addresses Roth accounts. Enforcement is absent. No practical local tax risk on Roth distributions for US expats in Yemen.
Not Taxed LocallyUS 401k/IRA Distributions
Yemen has no tax treaty with the United States. In principle, distributions received by a Yemen-resident individual could be subject to income tax under domestic law, but the tax authority is non-functional across most of the country. Practical taxation of US retirement distributions is not occurring.
Not Taxed LocallyCapital Gains Tax
Yemen does not have a separate capital gains tax regime. Gains on asset disposals are generally folded into business income and taxed under the corporate or individual income tax. The top individual rate of 20% applies. Enforcement is severely limited due to ongoing civil conflict.
No standalone capital gains tax exists in Yemen. Gains are treated as ordinary income under the Income Tax Law. The top marginal rate of 20% applies to individuals. Corporate gains are subject to the 20% corporate income tax rate.
Dividend Tax Rate
Dividends paid to non-residents are subject to a 10% withholding tax under Yemen's Income Tax Law. Dividends received by resident individuals may be subject to income tax at progressive rates. Tax administration has been severely disrupted since 2015 and actual collection is inconsistent.
withholding
Rate: 10.0%
Standard withholding rate on dividends paid to non-resident recipients.
progressive
Rate: 20.0%
Dividends received by resident individuals are potentially taxable under the progressive income tax schedule, with a top rate of 20%.
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Yemen relations. Ongoing conflict makes taxation irrelevant for foreigners.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Extremely high risk; retirement not feasible.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Data unavailable. Active war zone.
Recommended services for Yemen
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My Expat Taxes ββοΈ Climate & Environment
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
Seasonal Variations:
Yemen has a diverse climate, ranging from arid coastal plains to wetter highland areas. Coastal regions like Tihama experience extreme heat and very low annual precipitation. Highland areas, such as Asir, receive 400-800 mm of rainfall annually. The climate is characterized by high temperatures and seasonal rainfall variability, particularly in winter, which affects agriculture and water resources.
π Quality of Life
Cultural Amenities:
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Yemen has an ancient cultural history, with distinctive traditions influenced by its unique geographic location.
The National Museum in Sanaa houses important treasures from the pre-Islamic period.
Performing Arts
Yemen's culture includes traditional music and dance, often performed during cultural celebrations and gatherings.
The General Organization of Antiquities and Museums administers major cultural institutions, including folk museums in Aden.
Cultural Festivals
Yemen celebrates various cultural festivals, reflecting its rich heritage and traditions.
The country hosts events showcasing traditional music, dance, and crafts.
Culinary Culture
Yemeni cuisine includes dishes like mandi (rice and meat), salta (stew), and mutabbak (stuffed bread).
The country's food reflects its ancient culinary traditions and regional influences.
π Infrastructure & Connectivity
Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
Yemen faces significant internet infrastructure challenges due to ongoing conflict and economic instability.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages only 5-10 Mbps with frequent service disruptions and limited infrastructure.
Availability: Severely limited coverage, concentrated in major cities with frequent outages and service interruptions.
Cost: Variable and often expensive relative to income levels, when services are available.
Reliability for Remote Work: Not suitable for reliable remote work due to frequent outages, slow speeds, and infrastructure damage from conflict.
Transportation Network:
Yemen's transportation infrastructure has been severely damaged by ongoing conflict, with limited operational services.
Roads: Road network exists but many routes are unsafe or impassable due to conflict.
Rail: No functioning rail system in the country.
Domestic Travel: Very limited air travel due to conflict; most airports are closed or have restricted operations.
Recommended services for Yemen
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Traveling Mailbox βRecommended Partner
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HideMy.Name βRecommended Partner
Veepn βFrequently Asked Questions about Yemen
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