The latest market data revealed a huge financial gap exceeding one thousand Yemeni rials in the exchange rate of the US dollar between the temporary capital Aden and the capital Sanaa, starkly reflecting the economic division Yemen is experiencing. The purchase price of the green currency was recorded at 1,553 rials in Aden, while it did not exceed 534 rials in Sanaa, according to an update on Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026.
The figures showed an almost complete unity in the southern market, with exchange rates converging in Aden and Hadramout, while Sanaa forms a completely isolated market. While the selling price of the dollar reached 1,573 rials in both Aden and Hadramout, the selling price in Sanaa was only 536 rials.
The division extends to the Saudi riyal:
The large difference was not limited to the dollar, as the exchange rate of the Saudi riyal varied significantly. The purchase price in Aden and Hadramout was recorded at 400 Yemeni rials, while it dropped to 139.5 rials in Sanaa. The selling price was 410 rials in the south, compared to 140 rials in the north.
This gap, reaching nearly threefold, reflects a dual economic reality for Yemenis in different areas of control, where separate monetary policies and varying economic conditions directly affect the value of the local currency and the purchasing power of citizens, creating a completely different living equation from one region to another.
Aden
Aden is a historic port city located in southern Yemen, situated along the Gulf of Aden. It has been a major trading hub for centuries, serving as a key stop on maritime routes between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, and was under British colonial rule from 1839 until 1967. Today, despite its rich history, Aden has faced significant challenges due to ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Hadramout
Hadramout is a historical region in southern Yemen, renowned for its ancient incense trade and distinctive mud-brick skyscrapers. It was once a key hub along the Frankincense Route and was home to the powerful Hadhramaut Kingdom, which thrived from around the 8th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Today, its most famous sites include the UNESCO-listed city of Shibam and the valley of Wadi Hadramout, which preserve a rich cultural heritage.
Sanaa
Sanaa is the capital and largest city of Yemen, renowned for its historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its history dates back over 2,500 years, serving as a major center for trade and Islamic learning, with its distinctive multi-story tower houses and ancient mosques reflecting centuries of cultural and architectural heritage. The city’s old quarter, with its unique rammed-earth buildings and bustling souks, offers a glimpse into a rich past that has survived despite modern conflicts.
Yemen
Yemen is a country in the Arabian Peninsula with a rich history as a center of ancient civilizations, including the kingdoms of Saba and Himyar, and a key hub on the frankincense trade route. Its cultural heritage is marked by distinctive architecture, such as the mud-brick skyscrapers of Shibam and the old city of Sana’a, a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, since 2014, Yemen has been devastated by a brutal civil war and humanitarian crisis, which has severely damaged its historic sites and cultural fabric.
