Flag of Yemen
countryThe flag of Yemen was adopted on May 22, 1990. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: red, white and black. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Yemen |
|---|---|
| Country | Yemen |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Yemen |
| Capital | Sana'a |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Western Asia |
| ISO Country Code | YE / YEM |
| Internet Domain | .ye |
| Calling Code | +967 |
| Currency | Yemeni rial (YER) |
| National Language(s) | Arabic |
| Demonym | Yemeni |
| Area | 527,968 km² |
| Population | 41 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Yemen |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 22, 1990 |
| First Used | 1990 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 22, 1990 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Black |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Yemen |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the bloodshed of the martyrs and unity |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents a bright future |
| Black colour | Represents the dark past |
| Plain tricolour | The simplest of the Pan-Arab flags, adopted on the unification of North and South Yemen |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1990 | The design was first used |
| 1990-05-22 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Yemen Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Yemen
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 36 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 22, 1990 |
| Oldest Version | 1990 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Austria, Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Yemen
- Yemen flies the plain Arab Liberation tricolour with no charge at all, which distinguishes it from Egypt, Iraq and Syria.
- The flag was adopted in 1990 when North and South Yemen unified, replacing two different designs.
- The flag of Yemen was officially adopted on May 22, 1990.
- The flag in its present form is 36 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and black.
- The red on the flag stands for the bloodshed of the martyrs and unity.
- The white on the flag stands for a bright future.
- The black on the flag stands for the dark past.
- Plain tricolour: The simplest of the Pan-Arab flags, adopted on the unification of North and South Yemen.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Austria, Azerbaijan and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
- Yemen became independent on 22 May 1990 from no colonial power — the date marks the unification of North and South Yemen.
- North Yemen left Ottoman rule in 1918 and South Yemen left British rule on 30 November 1967; the two united in 1990.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national anthem is "United Republic".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 22 May, Unity Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Yemen
When was the flag of Yemen adopted?
The flag of Yemen was officially adopted on May 22, 1990.
What do the colours of the flag of Yemen mean?
Red for the bloodshed of the martyrs and unity, white for a bright future and black for the dark past.
When did Yemen gain independence?
Yemen became independent on 22 May 1990 from no colonial power — the date marks the unification of North and South Yemen. North Yemen left Ottoman rule in 1918 and South Yemen left British rule on 30 November 1967; the two united in 1990.
What is the national sport of Yemen?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Yemen represent?
Plain tricolour — The simplest of the Pan-Arab flags, adopted on the unification of North and South Yemen.
What are the proportions of the flag of Yemen?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Yemen?
The national anthem is "United Republic".
When is the national day of Yemen?
It falls on 22 May, Unity Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Yemen?
The capital is Sana'a. The currency is the Yemeni rial (YER) and the language spoken is Arabic.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Yemen?
The closest matches are Austria, Azerbaijan and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, which share both the construction and most of the colours.