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Overview

Jordan has shown remarkable resilience in maintaining stability and growth in the face of regional and global crises. This includes being one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, making Jordan highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Jordan is also host to an estimated 1.3 million Syrian refugees (12% of the country’s population), providing a public good for the wider global community.

The country has maintained a steady average growth rate of 2.5% over the past decade. However, there is room for improvement in generating more job opportunities for Jordan's young population and for bringing more women into the labor market. Jordan’s labor force participation rate was 33.0% in Q2-2023 (and only 13.8% for women). Unemployment increased to 22.3%, remaining well above its pre-COVID-19 crisis average of 15.1% (2012-2019), with youth (46.1%) and women (30.9%) being the most affected. Annual headline inflation decelerated significantly in 2023, to 1.4% in October 2023, supported by monetary policy tightening and lower commodity prices.

Building resilience to climate shocks requires addressing as a priority the intertwined needs for water, energy, and food security. In the region, Jordan has been a pioneer on climate with ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution targets, a green growth strategy, and efforts to green Jordan’s public and private investment framework and its financial sector. This action is essential as Jordan’s population doubled from 5 million to 11 million people over the past two decades, putting pressure on the country’s already limited natural resources. Climate change will decrease water availability even further for agriculture, cities, firms, and social systems.

The Government of Jordan is implementing a three-track, 10-year Political, Public Sector and Economic Modernization Agenda that was launched in 2021. Reforms focus on democratizing political life, including by empowering women and youth; doubling Jordan’s growth rate; creating one million new jobs; improving living conditions; promoting sustainability and strengthening government effectiveness and accountability

Last Updated: Feb 05, 2024

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Jordan: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

*Amounts include IBRD and IDA commitments
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Country Office Contacts

Nabeel Darweesh
+96265103789