Hebah Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace
The economic situation in Yemen has deteriorated drastically over the past ten years due to the ongoing conflict. This has massively impacted all aspects of people’s lives, including social issues like the rising number of unmarried women. Several factors contribute to this, most importantly unemployment and lack of income among young people, making financial independence and starting a family incredibly difficult.
Other economic factors fueling spinsterhood include soaring wedding costs, low wages insufficient for daily needs, a plummeting local currency, and general inflation, all of which have crushed Yemenis’ purchasing power. The overall economic instability—lack of jobs and economic opportunities—exacerbates the problem.
In short, these factors create huge obstacles for young Yemenis wanting to marry and have families, leading to a rise in unmarried women and complicating the country’s social landscape.
The Economics of Spinsterhood
Dr. Ahmad Shammakh, an economic expert, says, “Poverty and growing need in Yemen are major problems deeply affecting many families, leaving them unable to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare. This creates pressure within families, often leading to division.”
He emphasizes that, given Yemen’s immense economic challenges and the nearly decade-long armed conflict, spinsterhood is dramatically increasing. Young people hesitate to marry due to economic hardship and social pressures, including stringent parental demands.
Shammakh explains that, according to Arab and international research, the trend of later marriage in the Arab world stems from several intertwined factors: major economic challenges faced by young people, rising unemployment, shifting priorities for both men and women, and high divorce rates in many Arab countries, creating hesitation among young people.
This significant rise in spinsterhood in Yemen is underscored by Yemen’s Central Statistical Organization’s 2014 estimates, which indicated over two million unmarried women, including more than half a million over 30.
Shammakh stresses that Yemen’s constantly worsening economic situation presents a major challenge to young people wanting to marry and start families. The dire economic conditions leave many unable to afford the basics of marriage, widening the gap between them and a stable family life.
Ahlam Mohammed, a researcher specializing in family issues, points out that recent developments have created new differences in priorities between young men and women. In some Yemeni regions, women now enjoy economic independence, holding jobs or running their own businesses. They have a stronger sense of self-determination, prioritize personal success, and view delaying marriage as a means of self-discovery.
Statistics
Delayed or absent marriage in Yemen is a major social challenge, exacerbated by the country’s difficult economic and political situation. Instability, high marriage costs, and lack of job opportunities are likely key reasons for the increasing number of unmarried women.
According to 2009 estimates from the Central Statistical Organization, the number of unmarried Yemeni women reached approximately 2.5 million—a figure indicating a serious problem requiring attention.
Other news reports cite an international report from early 2016 stating that Yemen ranked ninth in the Arab world for the percentage of unmarried women over 30, at 30%.
A 2022 report by the Center for Strategic Research in the Gulf (CSRGULF) on delayed marriage and spinsterhood among Arab women, including Yemenis, placed Yemen 14th in the Arab world for spinsterhood, with an estimated rate exceeding 30%.
The Fragility of Spinsterhood
Dr. Mahmood Al-Bukari, a sociology professor at Taiz University, points out the lack of recent official statistics on spinsterhood in Yemen. He says it’s a sensitive topic; people don’t readily share data about it. But it’s a huge and worrying problem, wrecking lives for both men and women. It’s not just a women’s issue; it reflects young people’s inability to get married and start families.
Al-Bukari says, “Yemen is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 76% of the population depends on aid due to the ongoing conflict and economic collapse. This heavily impacts women and girls, with about 4.6 million women and 5.5 million girls needing urgent help.”
Amidst Poverty and Marriage
“There’s an inverse relationship between rising poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship, and the skyrocketing cost of weddings,” says Al-Bukari. “Instead of making marriage easier during tough times, we see insane increases in dowries and other costs, beyond what young people can afford, preventing them from building families.”
He adds, “High wedding costs make married life miserable because everything’s spent on the wedding itself. The exorbitant costs eat into the couple’s living expenses, adding to marital stress and possibly leading to divorce. It all comes down to the terrible economic situation.”
Dr. Iman Abdul-Malik Basaid, a sociologist, says economic conditions heavily influence marriage decisions. Young people face huge challenges affording increasingly lavish weddings, making things tougher, especially with ever-rising dowries.
She notes that, in the past, weddings were simpler and more affordable. Now, the huge costs start from the engagement and go right through to the wedding day, leaving young people hesitant to marry or considering emigration to save money—a constant worry.
Unemployment and Low Wages
Many young people struggle to find jobs after years of university, delaying marriage. While men might not see delaying marriage as a problem until their forties—if they’re mature and can support a family—a woman reaching forty unmarried is considered a social stigma.
Basaid says, “Unemployment and low wages fuel spinsterhood in Yemen. Young people struggle to save for a stable married life, facing huge economic challenges—wedding costs are insane, making marriage unthinkable for many because of the massive financial burden.”
35-year-old Omar says, “Wedding costs are insane, especially with basic and luxury goods prices soaring. We’re forced to wait years to save up for marriage. Should young people wait until they’re 50 or 60 to easily afford it?!”
Omar explains he dreams of marrying the girl he loves, but his economic situation prevents it. He worked in a local organization for low pay, barely supporting his family. After it closed due to the conflict, he found no other work and gave up on marriage.
Marwan Ali, 40, lost his job at a private factory, postponing his wedding. This agonizing decision is hugely frustrating. He can’t afford the 2.5 million Yemeni Rials dowry, let alone setting up his apartment as planned.
He says the high cost of weddings is a major obstacle for young people, leading many to postpone marriage. This increases marriage avoidance in Yemen and contributes to high rates of spinsterhood among both sexes.
Ali Saeed, 34 and unmarried, says, “For years, I’ve had no stable job. I rely on aid for my family or odd jobs. How can I afford a dowry, a wedding, and support my family? This question haunts me daily.”
He adds, “While I’m stuck, many guys cancel engagements due to rising dowries, increasing with the fluctuating exchange rate. Parents demand more, claiming gold, clothes, and other expenses rose. This makes marriage nearly impossible for many, especially with the current situation.”
Solutions and Treatments
Dr. Basaid says to solve the high spinsterhood rates (among both men and women) permanently, focus on job creation and raising incomes. Relevant authorities and organizations must create jobs by supporting entrepreneurship and providing vocational, technical, and technological training.
She adds, “We also need higher wages so people can afford marriage and married life. Offer financial aid and loans to those wanting to marry—easy Islamic loans or non-profit financial aid from banks or organizations. Improve education and training to boost chances of good jobs and stable married lives.”
She stresses the need for education about making well-informed marriage decisions based on financial stability and responsibility. Avoid extravagant weddings that leave couples struggling. Focus on building lasting relationships based on respect and understanding.
Al-Bukari emphasizes reducing wedding costs—dowries, furniture, venues, jewelry, clothes, etc.—to essentials. Postpone luxuries until after marriage and improve the economic situation, particularly for young people. Not everything needs to be sorted before the wedding—much can wait.
This requires community responsibility, shedding outdated traditions, raising awareness about simplifying marriage, and creating jobs so young people can marry and have families.
In short, Yemen’s ongoing conflict has destroyed its economic infrastructure, worsening living conditions. Many young people are focused on survival or displacement, delaying marriage.
Reports suggest polygamy as a traditional solution to spinsterhood. However, its effectiveness depends on economic and social factors, especially given the current economic challenges. It’s not a viable solution for everyone unless conditions allow for fairness among wives and a decent life for the whole family.