Yemen

This country of roughly 35 million, one of the most impoverished on the Arabian Peninsula, has been embroiled in conflict since late 2014 as a result of the power struggle between the Saudi-backed government and the rebel Houthi movement. The war has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, shattered the economy and destroyed critical infrastructure. Even before the conflict erupted, corruption was widespread, poverty and unemployment rates were chronically high, and access to electricity and water, as well as eduction and health care, was severely limited.

Still, the World Bank sees a potential path to growth, albeit extremely narrow. Yemen is an oil-rich country: a lasting ceasefire between the warring factions, bolstered by the reopening of the main transport routes and improved integration in regional and global trade markets, could help reignite economic progress and stability.