This report presents an analysis of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and policies that affect young children in Yemen. This report is part of a series of reports prepared by the World Bank using the SABER-ECD framework and includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition, and social and child protection policies and interventions in Yemen, along with regional and international comparisons. The SABER-ECD initiative is designed to enable ECD policymakers and development partners identify opportunities for further development of effective ECD systems. The SABER-ECD classification system does not rank countries according to any overall scoring
rather, it is intended to share information on how different ECD systems address the same policy challenges. This country report presents a framework to compare Yemen s ECD system with other countries in the region and internationally. Each of the nine policy levers are examined in detail and some policy options to strengthen ECD are offered. Yemen s National Strategy for Early Childhood shows a commitment to improving services for young children in the country. The challenge to address malnutrition, poor access to healthcare, low preschool enrollment, and other barriers to children s healthy development will be implementation. As the country moves through political transition, promoting early childhood development should be an important part of Yemen s progression to a civic state that serves all of its citizens. Investing in its youngest citizens is crucial to the country s future success. Table 14 offers policy recommendations and options that the government could consider to strengthen ECD.