The Secretary General of the National Population Council Ahmed Ali Burgi pointed out that Yemen's population increases at a very high rate, one of the highest worldwide.

Burgi pointed out that, though the rate came down to 3 percent in 2004, Yemen's population is estimated to reach 43 million by 2035, hinting that such an increase means more poverty and development problems.

Further, Burgi noted that the Yemeni culture advocates the growth of population, stressing that the increase of population at 3 percent poses high risks and shapes a population explosion.

In an awareness campaign themed "Family Planning is a Right: Let's Make it Reality", Burgi mentioned that family planning plays an important role in reducing population growth rates.

Though Yemen observed the World Population Day that falls on July 11, the government took no practical effort to help reduce this inordinate increase of population.

Statistics indicate that Yemen is at the top of the highest population growth rates where the fertility rate of a Yemeni woman reaches 6.1 births according to the last study.

According to the last population census conducted in 2004, Yemen's population reached 21 million. The country, ranked among the 20 poorest countries worldwide, has the highest population density on the Arabian Peninsula.

In 1975, Yemen's population was only 7 million; however the number increased three times to reach 21 million in 2004.

Early marriage or child marriage is among the factors that help population growth, as this helps increase the fertility rates. A Yemeni woman can deliver, on average, 6-8 living children. 

A recent study revealed that 75 percent of Yemeni women marry at an early age (between 15-20 years old).

As the number of people increase, the country suffers a steeping economic deterioration at all levels, especially in the field of health, education and development.