They live primarily by hunting, fishing, gardening (short and long-term crops) in the lowlands bordering Papua New Guinea. With their land at an altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level the Yei people can best be accessed by vehicle on the road from Merauke or by boat.

There are many transmigration camps are in the area. People generally wear modern clothing. The Yei folks eat roasted sago with fish. Houses are generally made from tree trunks and leaves but some have Java style houses. There is very little infrastructure in the area: no telephones, electricity or radios. The people get their drinking water in most villages from the river, but some get water from wells or rain. Most villages have a clinic or health worker but the people still use traditional medicine. The Yei people have no gospel cassettes, films or videos in their language. There are at least 4 Catholic and 4 Protestant churches in the language area.

The Yei are sometimes known as the Yey, Jei, Je, Yei-Nan people. There are at least 2 dialects in Yei: upper and lower. At home the Yei people speak their own language but Indonesian is used for trade and wider communication and at school.

Scripture Prayers for the Yei in Papua New Guinea.