Yemen has been dubbed the most dangerous country in the world this year, even more so than war-torn Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
The UK Foreign Office advises: “Support for British people is severely limited in Yemen. British Embassy services in Sana’a are suspended, and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn.
“The UK government cannot help British nationals leaving Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place.”
It was declared the world’s most dangerous country in 2025, according to one analysis from the World Population Review.
The firm, which pores over international data, says the country, which borders Saudi Arabia and Oman, outranks Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria.
Owen Williams, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Analyst at Sibylline strategic risk group, says: “Yemen is often considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to the ongoing civil war, widespread food shortages, military interventions and a collapse of public infrastructure.”
Mr Williams says instability has plagued Yemen since Houthi rebels, who are also called Ansar Allah (supporters of God), mounted an insurgency against the internationally-recognised government. The group’s slogan, the sarkha, is: “God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews, victory to Islam.”
Toppling the previous regime in 2014, the group, which is not yet proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK, dominates much of the more populous northwest of the country, including the capital Sana’a. The conflict between government and rebel forces has led to a humanitarian crisis engulfing the country.
Though “Yemen was already in a difficult position before the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023”, according to Mr Williams, the geopolitical situation has only escalated.
He said: “Following the October 7 attacks, as a member of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, the Houthis began to target shipping in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, as well as launching attacks against Israel.
“This resulted in a US-Coalition intervention in Yemen, with many airstrikes targeting Houthi facilities and key infrastructure. These reached a peak in May 2025, when the US attacked a migrant detention facility. While the US has agreed a ceasefire with the Houthis, the risk of Israeli airstrikes persists.”
Often launched from small boats, the group’s efforts led to international shipping companies rerouting cargo, forcing captains to sail around South Africa.
Mr Williams warns Brits not to travel to the country, and says that while “there has likely been reduced media coverage of the situation in Yemen in recent years”, Western visitors are still very much at risk of harm and kidnapping.