Literacy rate: 48%

Numbers in tertiary education: 164,166 students

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Some 80% of the population have had no formal classroom education. Schooling barely extends into the rural areas. Illiteracy is especially high among women: 73% cannot read or write. Yemen has two universities – Sana and Aden – as well as another five higher education institutions. The government's unpopular economic policies have encouraged student activism.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004