Plastic waste exports in Yemen
Yemen: Plastic waste exports was 720 tonnes in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Yemen, 2004–2018
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for plastic waste exports in Yemen is 720 tonnes, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 95.2% on the previous year and down 95.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Yemen peaked at 47,233 tonnes in 2011 and was at its lowest, 145.77 tonnes, in 2004.
That places Yemen 101st out of 167 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Yemen, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 145.77 tonnes | — |
| 2005 | 1,425 tonnes | +877.7% |
| 2006 | 3,155 tonnes | +121.4% |
| 2007 | 6,856 tonnes | +117.3% |
| 2008 | 14,949 tonnes | +118.0% |
| 2009 | 23,134 tonnes | +54.8% |
| 2010 | 29,055 tonnes | +25.6% |
| 2011 | 47,233 tonnes | +62.6% |
| 2012 | 36,358 tonnes | -23.0% |
| 2013 | 39,685 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 2014 | 6,890 tonnes | -82.6% |
| 2015 | 14,978 tonnes | +117.4% |
| 2018 | 720 tonnes | -95.2% |
Yemen compared with similar countries
- Yemen's 720 tonnes is below the median for low income countries, which is 963.54 tonnes, 75% of the median. (15 countries reporting)
- Yemen's 720 tonnes is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2,459 tonnes, 29% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Yemen changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +877.7% | 145.77 tonnes | 1,425 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8,278 tonnes | 145.77 tonnes | 23,134 tonnes | 6 |
| 2010s | 24,989 tonnes | 720 tonnes | 47,233 tonnes | 7 |
Countries ranked near Yemen
More environment data for Yemen
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -36.73 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -31.12 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 43.43 % change on previous year (1998)
- Standard Deviation 0.393 °C (1998)
- Temperature change 1.37 °C (1998)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 1.66 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2018)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 2.86 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2018)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Yemen?
- Plastic waste exports in Yemen was 720 tonnes in 2018, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Yemen?
- The highest recorded value was 47,233 tonnes in 2011.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Yemen?
- The lowest recorded value was 145.77 tonnes in 2004.
- How does Yemen rank for plastic waste exports?
- Yemen ranks 101st out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Yemen?
- Over the last ten years it is down 95.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Yemen data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.