Country explorer: Jordan

Jordan has experienced a fluctuating economy with a notable increase in GDP per capita, significant shifts in poverty levels across different thresholds, rising unemployment rates, and varying inflation rates, reflecting both regional challenges and its unique economic resilience, similar to its lower-middle-income peers.

Jordan has experienced significant demographic changes characterized by rapid population growth, substantial fluctuations in net migration due to regional instability, a declining fertility rate nearing that of lower-middle-income countries, and a notable increase in life expectancy, reflecting broader trends in health and social transformation.

Jordan has shown strong performance in improving access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed drinking water and sanitation, with near-universal access to clean cooking fuels and electricity, and significant gains in water and sanitation access, distinguishing it favorably from many lower-middle-income countries.

Jordan has experienced noticeable advancements in human development, marked by improvements in education, reductions in child mortality, and a steady climb in the Human Development Index, distinguishing itself with a relatively high literacy rate and learning outcomes compared to its lower-middle-income peers.

Jordan has shown progress in transitioning towards renewable energy, evidenced by a notable increase in solar and wind electricity production, despite challenges of scarce renewable water resources and limited forest area, paralleling trends in energy transition seen in some lower-middle-income countries.

Jordan has seen significant technological advancement, outpacing many lower-middle-income countries with its substantial growth in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and scientific research outputs, highlighting its commitment to developing a knowledge-based economy.

Jordan has experienced significant demographic and societal transformations, characterized by a high share of the population born in another country, improving but still present gender inequality, variations in life satisfaction, and a decreasing but still substantial age dependency ratio, indicating a blend of both challenges and progress that sets it apart within its income group and compared to nearby countries.

Jordan has shown a gradual improvement in governance, as evidenced by slow but steady advancements in rule of law, some progress in fighting corruption, and mixed results in political civil liberties and press freedom, distinguishing it from peers by maintaining relative stability and progress in a region marked by volatility.