Gathering Data on the Front Lines of Yemen's Economy

5 March 2026

Yemen remains mired in one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, driven by nearly a decade of conflict and economic collapse. The economy is fragmented and under immense strain, with real GDP per capita having plummeted by 58% since 2015 [1] and inflation soaring past 30% in 2024, drastically eroding household purchasing power [2].

This economic devastation has left an estimated 19.5 million people—over half the population—in need of humanitarian assistance in 2025 [3], with more than 17 million facing high levels of acute food insecurity [4]. The situation is compounded by the country's division into two separate economic zones, ongoing disruptions to vital trade routes, and a persistent blockade on oil exports, which has crippled government revenues [5].

Beyond the spreadsheet

Behind every wage figure, every price of bread, and every rent statistic, there is a human story. The data we gather at WageIndicator doesn't appear out of thin air. It is gathered with immense dedication, patience, and courage by a network of data collectors on the ground. This is the voice of one of these heroes: Safiya Ahmed Awn Hazam, a data collector from Shabwah, Yemen.

Safiya is more than just a data collector; she is also a nurse. Her journey into this field of work began through community volunteerism and local civil society organisations, starting in awareness campaigns and training before evolving into her role as a field researcher and consultant.

"For me, there is no such thing as a 'typical' day in the life of a data collector," Safiya begins. "It is a difficult task because you meet all segments of society. Some people accept the idea of collecting data on the cost of living, some are against it, and some are just critical."

Despite these challenges, she describes the work with pride. "It has a special flavor and distinction; a badge of honour. First, you are helping others. Second, you get to meet different segments of society and learn about their conditions and different natures."

Her motivation is simple yet profound: a love for helping others and amplifying their voices and reflecting their day to day struggle and living conditions.

Navigating Challenges

The path of a data collector is fraught with obstacles. Safiya lists logistical difficulties: from reaching participants in remote areas to gaining their trust to securing necessary permits and dealing with scheduling delays. Her solution is: meticulous planning, clear schedules, early communication, and always having a backup plan.

According to Safiya, gaining trust is a delicate art. Safiya explains her approach: "I show complete respect and humility. I clarify from the beginning that any personal information they provide will be entirely confidential." She builds rapport by starting with general, non-sensitive topics and uses a calm, gentle tone, always with a smile, when asking about income or rent. "By doing this, participants feel safe and trusted, making them more cooperative and open", Safiya says.

The logistical nightmares include unreliable transportation and frequent power and internet outages. "Sometimes we have to write the interviews on paper and enter them into the WageIndicator application later", she notes; a testament to how committed she is to having reliable data.

The Human Stories Behind the Data

This field of work is full of unexpected encounters. Safiya recalls one meeting in particular that left a deep mark. She describes: "I met an elderly man living in an extremely simple and modest home, but he spoke with a positive spirit, despite his difficult circumstances. When I asked him about his income and livelihood, he answered with a smile and said, "God is by our side; as long as we're healthy and content, and we are!"”

"That encounter left a profound impact on me.It made me see how a person can be content and happy despite limited means", Safiya reflects.

Why Data Collection Matters

When it comes to the prices of basic goods, Safiya doesn't just see numbers. She sees faces, families and a livelihood. She has observed a slight economic improvement recently, "but not to the required extent”. The suffering continues, marked by a lack of job opportunities, cash shortages, and low wages.

And this is where she makes her most powerful point: "To some, numbers might seem meaningless on paper. But in the field, they pulse with life. When I collect data on wages and prices, I don't just see numbers. I see the father who works long hours to cover his family's expenses and rent. The mother who denies herself the simplest things and calculates every Riyal to provide for her children... Every number in the questionnaire is a human story full of effort, dignity, and hope.My mission is to write 'the prices rose' or 'the wages fell’. But it also includes the people living these changes day by day", she concludes.

A Message to the World and a Personal Reflection

"Yemeni society is going through incredibly difficult circumstances. You must understand that Yemen is more than poverty numbers and unemployment reports. It is the resilient people living their days with dignity despite harsh circumstances. Behind every number in the statistics is a family struggling for a life with dignity. What people need here is not pity, but an opportunity. An opportunity for a dignified life, work, and stability. Yemenis do not need pity in the form of in-kind and cash assistance. They need to be granted security and safety, and to be given a hand with job opportunities to build their country, which is full of various resources."

A good data collector doesn’t just gather data

Through this work, Safiya has honed essential skills: "The most important are communication, patience, and empathy in the field. It is not enough to ask people and take their answers. You must listen to them with your heart, feel what they are going through, and respect their feelings... Empathy is what makes people trust you and open their hearts to you."

Safiya concludes, her words a fitting tribute to her work: "A good researcher and data collector doesn't just gather data. They build bridges of trust and respect with the people they meet. The happiest of moments is when you see a smile on people's faces when the goal you worked for is achieved, no matter the hardships, fatigue, and difficult situations you faced in the field."

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This blog post is based on the firsthand account of Safiya Ahmed Awn Hazam, one of our invaluable data collectors in Yemen. We are eternally grateful for her work and the work of all our field staff.

Resources:

[1, 2 & 5] World Bank: The Republic of Yemen - Economic Update, Fall 2024
[3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025
[4] Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC): Yemen Acute Food Insecurity Analysis (2024)