Helping People Rise Country Snapshot: Jordan

The Jordanian government’s 2022 Economic Modernisation Vision,¹ based on accelerated economic growth and improved quality of life for all citizens, is beginning to bear fruit, as its performance in this CGGI Pillar and several related indicators demonstrates. Well‑regarded for its healthcare services, with a high medical worker‑to‑population ratio for doctors, dentists, and pharmacists,² Jordan’s 2023–2025 national health strategy³ looks to build a more integrated health system to face future crises, including incoming refugees and climate change. The strategy also involves investments in health infrastructure and services related to mental health, reproductive health, family planning, eldercare, environmental health, and health at schools.

Despite a fast‑growing population⁴ faced with prevailing water scarcity⁵ and other ongoing environmental stressors that will be exacerbated by climate change,⁶ Jordan has also advanced its Environmental Performance. Recognising environmental threats as both immediate and long‑term challenges, the government has set up initiatives such as the Ministry of Environment’s Jordan Environment Fund,⁷ to increase community awareness, better track environmentally hazardous materials, and plant more trees. Jordan’s National Water Strategy⁸ has also made strides in improving the quality and quantity of recycled water for irrigation and industry.

Jordan’s tax system and improved labour income have been credited with further reducing income inequality.⁹ Its National Aid Fund’s Unified Cash Transfer Programme has been lauded for its redistributive and cost‑effective initiatives, estimated to have reduced inequality by 0.7 percentage points and poverty by 1.4 percentage points.^{10 11}

Jordan has also advanced its Non‑Discrimination efforts, in recent years, with changes to the constitution to promote gender equality,^{12 13} and legislation to support those living with disabilities.¹⁴ In 2022, the United Nations (UN) praised Jordan for its leadership on disability rights in the region.¹⁵

Jordan is a primary host country for refugees from the region’s conflicts, although providing humanitarian aid and support to millions of displaced persons has tested the country’s resources and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the country has shown economic resilience and maintained Price Stability. This has been achieved through continued implementation of sound macro‑economic policies and reform progress,¹⁶ as well as the Jordanian dinar’s peg to the U.S. dollar, which has helped consolidate the currency’s long‑term value.¹⁷

Endnotes

1. Economic Modernisation Vision – Unleashing Potential to Build the Future: Overview. (n.d.). https://jordanvision.jo/en/site/about
2. Tamimi, A., Al‑Abbadi, M., Tamimi, I., Juweid, M., Ahmad, M. & Tamimi F. (6 September 2024). The transformation of Jordan’s healthcare system in an area of conflict. BMC Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11467-1
3. The Jordan Times. (13 March 2023). Ministry of Health announces sweeping 2023-2025 strategy. https://jordantimes.com/news/local/ministry-health-announcessweeping-2023-2025-strategy
4. Jordan’s population has doubled in the past two decades to over 11.6 million in 2025, with projections of 12.5 million by the end of 2028. (See: https://jordantimes.com/news/local/jordans-population-reach-125-million-2028-%E2%80%94-hpc)
5. Jordan is the second most water scarce country in the world. (See: https://www.unicef.org/jordan/water-sanitationand-hygiene)
6. Climate change is expected to cause a further 15% decline in freshwater resources by 2040. (See: https://www.mwi.gov.jo/EBV4.0/Root_Storage/AR/EB_Ticker/National_Water_Strategy_2023-2040_Summary-English_-ver2.pdf)
7. Ministry of Environment. (n.d.) Protect the Environment. https://moenv.gov.jo/EN/Pages/Protect_the_Environment; Who’s Who in Jordan’s Energy, Water & Environment (EWE) 2024. The Ministry of Environment. https://jordanewe.com/2024/about-sector/ministry-environment
8. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation. (2023). National Water Strategy 2023-2040 Summary. https://www.mwi.gov.jo/EBV4.0/Root_Storage/AR/EB_Ticker/National_Water_Strategy_2023-2040_Summary-English_-ver2.pdf
9. Kamande, A., Walker, J., Martin, M. & Lawson, M. (21 October 2024). The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2024. Oxfam France. https://www.oxfamfrance.org/app/uploads/2024/10/CRI_2024_EMBARGOED.pdf
10. Rodriguez, L. & Wai‑Poi, M. (1 March 2021). Fiscal Policy, Poverty and Inequality in Jordan : The Role of Taxes and Public Spending – Policy Summary (Vol. 1 of 2) (English). https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/113451615905549990/pdf/Fiscal-Policy-Povertyand-Inequality-in-Jordan-The-Role-of-Taxes-and-Public-Spending-Policy-Summary.pdf
11. The programme is complemented with economic empowerment efforts, which help beneficiaries improve skills and connect them to work opportunities. (See: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2024/10/17/jordan-s-national-aid-fund-cash-transfer-program-creatinga-brighter-future)
12. In 2022 the constitution was updated to allow the use of both feminine and masculine pronouns when addressing Jordanian citizens. (See: https://jordantimes.com/news/local/senate-passes-2022-draft-constitutional-amendments)
13. A new article to the constitution was added (Chapter Two) that stipulates that the state “guarantees women’s empowerment and support to participate actively in society’s construction in a way that ensures equal opportunities based on justice and equity and protects them from all forms of violence and discrimination”. (See: https://jordantimes.com/opinion/lena-aloul/today-history-was-made)
14. In 2017, Jordan passed specific anti‑discrimination legislation that includes the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for Jordanians living with disabilities. (See: https://jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-hosts-multi-regional-global-disability-pre-summit)
15. Jordan was noted for being one of the first states to co‑draft the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and being among the first to ratify it. (See: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/09/jordan-un-expertlauds-efforts-disability-rights-and-encourages)
16. International Monetary Fund. (12 December 2024). Jordan—IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation and Second Review Under the Extended Fund Facility. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/13/pr-24467-jordan-imf-concludes-2024-aiv-consultation-and-second-review-under-the-eff
17. Central Bank of Jordan. (n.d.) Operational Framework. https://www.cbj.gov.jo/En/Pages/Operational_Framework