Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Yemen

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Yemen in 2019 — 39.09%. Ranked 2 in the world out of 168. Since 1975, the indicator has fallen by 6.4 pp.

2019 39.09% −1.09 pp vs 2018
World rank 2of 168
Period maximum 45.9%2015
Period minimum 24.7%2008

Trend over time

1975–2019 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Yemen, 1975–20192030405019751980198519901995200020052010201520191975: 45.49%2001: 33.15%2002: 28.66%2003: 27.68%2004: 28.48%2005: 28.18%2006: 24.81%2007: 24.97%2008: 24.7%2009: 27.83%2010: 30.74%2011: 31.52%2012: 32.48%2013: 28.62%2014: 39.72%2015: 45.9%2018: 40.18%2019: 39.09%
Change over the period: −6.4 pp Annual average: -0.15 pp

Comparison, 2019

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Yemen

Yemen 39.09%
World 8.28%
Western Asia computed 9.71%
Low-income countries computed 16.4%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Yemen, by year Yemen All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2019 39.09 −1.09 pp
2018 40.18
2015 45.9 +6.19 pp
2014 39.72 +11.1 pp
2013 28.62 −3.86 pp
2012 32.48 +0.95 pp
2011 31.52 +0.79 pp
2010 30.74 +2.9 pp
2009 27.83 +3.13 pp
2008 24.7 −0.28 pp
2007 24.97 +0.16 pp
2006 24.81 −3.37 pp
2005 28.18 −0.3 pp
2004 28.48 +0.8 pp
2003 27.68 −0.98 pp
2002 28.66 −4.49 pp
2001 33.15
1975 45.49

About the indicator

The share of food in merchandise imports. The indicator reads as a measure of food dependence, but with a caveat: a high share occurs both in rich countries with little agriculture, where food is simply a large item of consumption, and in the poorest ones, where it means vulnerability to world grain prices. Comparing it with food insecurity and with the share of agriculture in the economy helps tell the two cases apart.

Important: A high value is not in itself a sign of trouble: in Singapore and Japan the share is high while the food supply is entirely secure. It is worth looking at together with food insecurity.

Source: UNCTADstat (UNCTAD), license CC BY 3.0 IGO.