With more people, Yemen could be powerful

Economic experts assured the continuous increase in Yemen’s population is a key hindrance to development programs, especially when this increase is not faced with increase in economic resources and income.

They believe the population increase passively affects the country and augments poverty together with other challenges to education and health sectors at all levels, hinting it also leaves behind different social problems affecting both individual and society and also minimizing the opportunities of education, health and labor before males and females alike.

Population growth is the highest with 3.2 and this rate shapes a challenge to Yemen’s efforts to achieve the sustainable development at all aspects.

Since the early 1990s, Yemen has embarked on family planning policies in an effort to reduce the population growth rate to 2.8 percent instead of 3.7 percent recorded in 1994.

According to the latest census conducted in 2004, Yemen’s population increased over the last decade with over 5 million souls, an annual average of 500,000. This rate is considered one of the highest rates worldwide.

Moreover, the census also indicates a balance as to gender with 10 million males and 9.7 million females, a balance lost in many societies.

However, the problem lies in the high population growth and the deterioration of the educational, health, social, and economic situation in a society where majority of its population belong to the age range of 18-49.

The recent statistics of Yemen Family Health Survey show a rise in infant and child mortality rates. The health pointers indicate that the current health situation could help achieved the wished goals during 2015.

Yemen’s population is projected to reach 58 million souls by 2050 instead of 22.4 million in 2007. Thus, Yemen will be the highest in the area even before the Saudi Arabia whose population could reach 49.7 in 2050.

Observers stress that Yemen could be the strongest country in the area in case the country adopts the policies followed by non-producing oil countries despite all potentials enjoyed by Gulf countries.

 They stressed the importance that the country should create a pulling environment for investments in order to attract the foreign capitals, along with adopting an educational policy that meet market labor because any backwardness in this respect will benefit countries that export their labor force to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.

Reports indicate that Yemen could a powerful country once its potentials, whether human or material, are optimally exploited. Following the policy of technical education and vocational training would help decrease unemployment rates.