Why is Yemen so poor compared to other gulf states?

Because its leaders never cared to improve it. This is a little known problem that many people overlook. So let's partake in a thought exercise. Ali Saleh ruled North Yemen (1978 - 1990) and then a united Yemen (1990–2012). We can safely assume that he can read and write, he owned a TV and had the money for books. read more

Yemen’s population stands at 25.4 million and approximately 42% of those people live in poverty. Over 42% of Yemenis live on under USD 2.00/day. The average income is around $725.00 for the year. read more

The United States and Europe are mainly interested in Yemen because they fear that the Houthis are cat’s paws of Iran (there is not likely much of a connection—it is a completely different style of Shiism) or because the Houthis might threaten the security of the Bab al-Mandab, the opening to the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, through which some 10 percent of world trade flows. read more