IOM: African Migrant Arrivals to Yemen Reach 83,835 in 2026

Aden – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed Friday that the number of African migrants arriving in Yemen since the start of 2026 has risen to 83,835, the majority of whom are Ethiopian. 

The report noted, however, that May recorded the lowest monthly influx of the year.

According to IOM’s latest monitoring data, Yemen received 11,587 African migrants in May, marking a 22 percent decrease compared to April, when 14,834 arrivals were registered.

Djibouti remained the primary departure point, accounting for 66 percent of May’s flows, followed by Somalia at 28 percent, while 6 percent of arrivals came via Oman. Most migrants from Djibouti entered Yemen through Abyan governorate, while others crossed via Taiz. Somali migrants arrived through Shabwa, and Omani authorities returned 702 migrants to Shahn district in Al-Mahra.

Ethiopians continued to dominate the arrivals, with 11,176 migrants (96 percent of the total), compared to 411 Somalis. Demographically, men made up 66 percent of arrivals, while women and children each accounted for 17 percent.

In the opposite direction, May also saw 1,213 Ethiopian migrants depart Yemen for Obock in Djibouti, most via coastal areas in Lahj governorate.

The IOM emphasized that while overall flows remain high, the May decline highlights fluctuating migration dynamics along one of the world’s most perilous routes.