PEOPLE
Unlike other people of the Arabian
Peninsula who have historically been nomads or seminomads, Yemenis
are almost entirely sedentary and live in small villages and towns
scattered throughout the highlands and coastal regions.
Yemenis are divided into two principal
Islamic religious groups: the Zaidi sect of the Shi'a, found in
the north and northwest, and the Shafa'i school of Sunni Muslims,
found in the south and southeast. Yemenis are mainly of Semitic
origin, although African strains are present among inhabitants
of the coastal region. Arabic is the official language, although
English is increasingly understood in major cities. In the Mahra
area (the extreme east), several non-Arabic languages are spoken.
When the former states of north and south Yemen were established,
most resident minority groups departed.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Yemeni(s).
Population (July 2007 est.): 22,230,531.
Annual growth rate: 3%.
Ethnic group: Predominantly Arab.
Religions: Islam, small numbers of Jews, Christians, and Hindus.
Language: Arabic.
Education: Attendance (2004 est.)--80% for boys at the primary level and 50% for girls. Attendance was 55% for boys at the secondary level and 22% for girls. Literacy (2004 est.)--50% overall, including 70% of males, 30% of females.
Health: Infant mortality rate--76/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--62 years.
Work force (by sector): Agriculture--53%; public services--17%; manufacturing--4%; construction--7%; percentage of total population--25%.
