Dollar Price Gap: Aden vs. Sanaa – 1000 Riyal Difference
- Yemen is experiencing a severe economic crisis, highlighted by a dramatic divergence in exchange rates between Aden and Sanaa.
- Currently, one US dollar is being sold for approximately 1,633 Yemeni riyals in Aden, while in Sanaa, the same dollar fetches only 540 riyals. This represents a difference...
- The impact of this exchange rate gap is acutely felt by ordinary Yemenis.
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Yemen’s Economic Divide: Exchange Rate Gap Exceeds 1,083 Riyals
Table of Contents
Published December 9, 2025, at 20:21:15
The Deepening Economic Rift
Yemen is experiencing a severe economic crisis, highlighted by a dramatic divergence in exchange rates between Aden and Sanaa. As of today, December 9, 2025, the gap has reached over 1,083 Yemeni riyals per US dollar, representing an unprecedented economic fracture for the region. This means a Yemeni citizen effectively loses over two-thirds of their money’s value when transferring funds between the two cities.
Currently, one US dollar is being sold for approximately 1,633 Yemeni riyals in Aden, while in Sanaa, the same dollar fetches only 540 riyals. This represents a difference exceeding 200%, effectively creating two separate economies within the same country.
The Human Cost
The impact of this exchange rate gap is acutely felt by ordinary Yemenis. Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, a Sanaa resident attempting to send his salary to his family in Aden, described the situation as watching “half of my salary evaporate before my eyes.” this illustrates the crippling effect on families relying on remittances or needing to transfer funds for essential goods and services.
The disparity disproportionately affects those who rely on transferring money between the two cities, including families with members working in different regions, and businesses engaged in inter-city trade. The loss of purchasing power further exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.
Underlying Causes and Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to this extreme exchange rate divergence. These include:
- Political Division: The ongoing conflict and political fragmentation of Yemen, with different governing authorities in Aden and Sanaa, create separate monetary policies and control over currency flows.
- Houthi Control in Sanaa: The Houthi-controlled areas in Sanaa operate under different economic regulations, impacting the value of the Yemeni riyal.
- Economic Policies: Differing economic policies implemented by the respective authorities contribute to the widening gap.
- remittance Flows: Disruptions to remittance flows,a crucial source of income for many Yemeni families,further exacerbate the situation.
- import Restrictions: Restrictions on imports and exports impact the availability of foreign currency.
Historical Exchange Rate trends
| Date | Aden (Riyal/USD) | Sanaa (Riyal/USD) | Gap (Riyal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024 | 1,500 | 500 | 1,000 |
| June 1, 2024 | 1,550 | 520 | 1,030 |
| December 9, 2025 | 1,633 | 540 | 1,093 |
note: Data is