Although Yemen is geographically part of the Arabian Peninsula, it was excluded from the Gulf Cooperation Council, primarily because its size – it is the most populous state on the peninsula – would have given it great influence. In fact, the Yemeni population exceeds the population of all six GCC members combined.
尽管也门在地理位置上归属于阿拉伯半岛，但却由于国土面积的原因被排除在海湾合作委员会之外 —— 也门是半岛上人口最为稠密的国家 —— 这本来应该是增加也门影响力的砝码。事实上，也门的人口超过了海湾合作委员会六大成员国人口的总和。