"I graduated eight years ago and I have always renewed my registration with Civil Service office in my governorate; however, I received no job till now and perhaps my specialization may have something to do with that," said Mohammed Ali Al-Attab.

Al-Attab, 32 and a graduate in geography, added, "I have applied for many jobs in the private sector, but in very few cases I was called for an interview. So far, I have been unable to get a job because employers condition knowledge of English language and computer literacy, something that I do not have."

Like Al-Attab, one third of Yemeni youth complain of unemployment and very few people can find jobs with the private sector especially with specializations that meet the requirements of the labor market including the language, computer literacy and other technical specializations.

A recent report by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation estimated the unemployment to be 34 percent, while pessimistic international reports put the number at 43 percent and the number is to increase over the coming years due to many reasons.

The losses indirectly incurred by unemployment upon Yemeni economy, according to the same report, mounted to $ 2.3 billion in 2005 compared with $ 2.2 billion recorded in 2004.  

Reasons for increased unemployment rates

According to the UNDP Human Development Index 2007, Yemen is ranked 150 out of 177 countries. It is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world though located in the rich oil region. The poor people are estimated at 42 percent living at less than $ two a day.

Yemen enjoys one of the highest growing fertility rates in the region, if not in the world, and it is estimated at 3.5 percent according to official statistics. In return, the national economy achieves a slow growth estimated at 4.2 percent; while, international reports put the number at 2.5 percent. 

Yemeni official institute and universities graduate over 180.000, while the public and mixed centers can hold only 16.000 job seekers. Additionally, the private sector is weak and it holds only those specialized people and those specializations that meet the labor market needs including accountancy, English Language, and such like subjects. Again, the private sector conditions English language and computer literacy in those who seek jobs.

According to observer, Yemen is still an investment-pushing environment particularly with increase rates of chaos, tourist abductions, unavailability of the basic services represented in roads, energy, etc. which are, when combined, important conditions for pulling the investing capitals. 

Unemployment's social effects

Official reports warn unemployment is important reason for the spread of poverty and further cause deprivation, depression and might lead to suicide. It further counts it to be a key reason for terrorism, crime and extremism among youth.

Experts believe the increase rates of unemployment will cost the state a lot as it allocates huge sums of money to upgrade and develop security departments in attempt to maintain security and stability in the country.

In its report, Ministry of Planning expressed the phenomenon as critical, maintaining the public sector needs to provide 180,000 jobs for seekers enrolling Civil Service's registries each year.

State efforts 

Early in September, President Saleh attending the graduation ceremony of military and security faculties and institutes' affiliates announced halting the suspension of obligatory military service in an attempt to hold the increasing rates of unemployment among secondary school graduates.

Saleh hinted then the military and security institution is not need for them; however, such a move is adopted in effort to diminish the increasing number of the unemployed, maintaining serving in military or security will gain the graduates the capabilities required for their after-service life.   

The state in collaboration with international organizations work for combating corruption, reducing poverty and conducting wide administrative and financial reform and further encourage the private sector and international capitals to investment in Yemen in attempt to reduce unemployment; however, the efforts do not come to the level according to economic experts.  

Treatment 

Experts hold that extending the vocational and technical education would help reduce the unemployment rates and they ask state to expand the establishment of such institutes. They also believe treasury bills are a burden on state as it prevents businessmen from investing in projects that could help reduce unemployment.

Moreover, they call for creating an environment that attracts investors and capitals to build projects able to absorb the increasing rates of the unemployed people. Private sector is need for more facilities in order to help in this regard.  

Studies also indicated that allocating funds for small and medium-sized enterprises is an effective tool in fighting unemployment.