Jordan - JO - JOR - JOR - Middle East

Last updated: January 02, 2025
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  • The Northern Tetrapylon in ancient Jerash was built around A.D. 180 and dedicated to Julia Domna, the second wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who reigned from A.D. 193-211. A tetrapylon is a type of ancient monument, cubic-shaped, with a gate on each of its four sides, and built at a significant crossroad or geographical focal point.

    The Northern Tetrapylon in ancient Jerash was built around A.D. 180 and dedicated to Julia Domna, the second wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who reigned from A.D. 193-211. A tetrapylon is a type of ancient monument, cubic-shaped, with a gate on each of its four sides, and built at a significant crossroad or geographical focal point.

  • About 200 km (125 mi) south of the capital city of Amman, Jordan lies the ruins of Petra. Also called the “Rose City,” because of the color of the sandstone from which it is carved, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra, inhabited from prehistoric times, was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The city was major caravan trade center between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Pictured is the Monastery dedicated to the god Obodas dating from the first century BC, Petra’s largest monument.

    About 200 km (125 mi) south of the capital city of Amman, Jordan lies the ruins of Petra. Also called the “Rose City,” because of the color of the sandstone from which it is carved, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra, inhabited from prehistoric times, was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The city was major caravan trade center between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Pictured is the Monastery dedicated to the god Obodas dating from the first century BC, Petra’s largest monument.

  • The ruins at Petra are justifiably famous worldwide and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The photo shows one of Petra's most elaborate buildings, the "Treasury" (Al-Khazneh), which was carved into the red-hued cliff face in the 2nd century B.C. In actuality, the structure was likely the mausoleum of a Nabatean king.

    The ruins at Petra are justifiably famous worldwide and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The photo shows one of Petra's most elaborate buildings, the "Treasury" (Al-Khazneh), which was carved into the red-hued cliff face in the 2nd century B.C. In actuality, the structure was likely the mausoleum of a Nabatean king.

  • The Street of Facades in Petra is made up of 44 tombs.

    The Street of Facades in Petra is made up of 44 tombs.

  • The "Monastery" (El-Deir) at Petra.

    The "Monastery" (El-Deir) at Petra.

  • Sunset over the Dead Sea.

    Sunset over the Dead Sea.

  • Aerial view of Amman.

    Aerial view of Amman.

  • A view of downtown Amman as seen from the Citadel.

    A view of downtown Amman as seen from the Citadel.

  • The Jordan Museum is located in the Ras al-‘Ayn area of Amman. The museum’s 10,000 sq m (108,000 sq ft) building covers 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology, starting from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the present and even projecting into the future. Using over 2,000 artifacts, graphics, and specially designed materials, the exhibits explore Jordan’s history through nine major themes: the environment, food production and processing, visual art and architecture, cultural exchange and trade, politics and the military, communication and writing, industry, religion, and daily domestic life in Jordan throughout the ages. Besides its exhibitions, the Jordan Museum also serves as a research center.

    The Jordan Museum is located in the Ras al-‘Ayn area of Amman. The museum’s 10,000 sq m (108,000 sq ft) building covers 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology, starting from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the present and even projecting into the future. Using over 2,000 artifacts, graphics, and specially designed materials, the exhibits explore Jordan’s history through nine major themes: the environment, food production and processing, visual art and architecture, cultural exchange and trade, politics and the military, communication and writing, industry, religion, and daily domestic life in Jordan throughout the ages. Besides its exhibitions, the Jordan Museum also serves as a research center.

  • A view of Amman and the Roman Theater. The theater is located in the eastern part of the city on a hill opposite the Amman Citadel. The Roman Theater was built between A.D. 138 and 161 in honor of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. With a northerly oriented design to keep the sun off the audience, the theater could seat up to 6,000 people who were separated by status, gender, and nationality. The Jordanian Government started restoring the theatre in 1957 and today it is open to visitors and hosts many local events. The Roman Theater also houses the Amman Folklore Museum and the Amman Museum of Popular Traditions, both located in a series of rooms behind the two ground-level entrances.

    A view of Amman and the Roman Theater. The theater is located in the eastern part of the city on a hill opposite the Amman Citadel. The Roman Theater was built between A.D. 138 and 161 in honor of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. With a northerly oriented design to keep the sun off the audience, the theater could seat up to 6,000 people who were separated by status, gender, and nationality. The Jordanian Government started restoring the theatre in 1957 and today it is open to visitors and hosts many local events. The Roman Theater also houses the Amman Folklore Museum and the Amman Museum of Popular Traditions, both located in a series of rooms behind the two ground-level entrances.

  • The Amman Citadel, located in the heart Amman on one of the seven hills that comprise the city, shows the long history of occupation of this region by many of the great civilizations of the world. Most of the buildings still visible at the locale are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. Archaeologists have worked at the site since the 1920s, but a great part of the Citadel remains unexcavated. Pictured here is part of the Roman-era hand of Hercules, all that remains of a massive statue that once stood 13 m (43 ft) tall at the temple honoring him. An inscription dates the temple’s construction to the term of the Roman Governor Geminius Marcianus (A.D. 161-166).

    The Amman Citadel, located in the heart Amman on one of the seven hills that comprise the city, shows the long history of occupation of this region by many of the great civilizations of the world. Most of the buildings still visible at the locale are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. Archaeologists have worked at the site since the 1920s, but a great part of the Citadel remains unexcavated. Pictured here is part of the Roman-era hand of Hercules, all that remains of a massive statue that once stood 13 m (43 ft) tall at the temple honoring him. An inscription dates the temple’s construction to the term of the Roman Governor Geminius Marcianus (A.D. 161-166).

  • Another view of the Temple of Hercules on the Amman Citadel.

    Another view of the Temple of Hercules on the Amman Citadel.

  • Some of the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, present-day Jerash.

    Some of the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, present-day Jerash.

  • The Arch of Hadrian was built to honor the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to Jerash (then called Gerasa) in the winter of A.D. 129-130. The arch is 11 m high (36 ft), 37.45 m long (122 ft), and 9.25 m wide (30 ft wide). To the left and behind the arch is the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held.

    The Arch of Hadrian was built to honor the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to Jerash (then called Gerasa) in the winter of A.D. 129-130. The arch is 11 m high (36 ft), 37.45 m long (122 ft), and 9.25 m wide (30 ft wide). To the left and behind the arch is the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held.

  • The Forum was the center of civic life in every ancient Roman city. The columns in the Forum of ancient Jerash (known as Gerasa in Roman times) would have supported a roof, providing a shaded arcade for the public.

    The Forum was the center of civic life in every ancient Roman city. The columns in the Forum of ancient Jerash (known as Gerasa in Roman times) would have supported a roof, providing a shaded arcade for the public.

  • Built around A.D. 90-92 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the South Theater of ancient Jerash - still in use today - seats more than 3,000 spectators. The theater is known for its incredible acoustics that allows a speaker standing at the center of the orchestra floor to be heard throughout the entire auditorium while speaking in a normal tone. The first level of the stage, originally a two-story structure, was subsequently reconstructed. In the background one can see a snippet of the modern city of Jerash.

    Built around A.D. 90-92 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the South Theater of ancient Jerash - still in use today - seats more than 3,000 spectators. The theater is known for its incredible acoustics that allows a speaker standing at the center of the orchestra floor to be heard throughout the entire auditorium while speaking in a normal tone. The first level of the stage, originally a two-story structure, was subsequently reconstructed. In the background one can see a snippet of the modern city of Jerash.

  • The Northern Tetrapylon in ancient Jerash was built around A.D. 180 and dedicated to Julia Domna, the second wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who reigned from A.D. 193-211. A tetrapylon is a type of ancient monument, cubic-shaped, with a gate on each of its four sides, and built at a significant crossroad or geographical focal point.

    The Northern Tetrapylon in ancient Jerash was built around A.D. 180 and dedicated to Julia Domna, the second wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who reigned from A.D. 193-211. A tetrapylon is a type of ancient monument, cubic-shaped, with a gate on each of its four sides, and built at a significant crossroad or geographical focal point.

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  • A view of the Wadi Rum, the largest wadi or valley in Jordan.
  • About 200 km (125 mi) south of the capital city of Amman, Jordan lies the ruins of Petra. Also called the “Rose City,” because of the color of the sandstone from which it is carved, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra, inhabited from prehistoric times, was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The city was major caravan trade center between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Pictured is the Monastery dedicated to the god Obodas dating from the first century BC, Petra’s largest monument.
  • The ruins at Petra are justifiably famous worldwide and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which flourished from the third century B.C. until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106. The photo shows one of Petra's most elaborate buildings, the "Treasury" (Al-Khazneh), which was carved into the red-hued cliff face in the 2nd century B.C. In actuality, the structure was likely the mausoleum of a Nabatean king.
  • The Street of Facades in Petra is made up of 44 tombs.
  • The "Monastery" (El-Deir) at Petra.
  • Sunset over the Dead Sea.
  • Aerial view of Amman.
  • A view of downtown Amman as seen from the Citadel.
  • The Jordan Museum is located in the Ras al-‘Ayn area of Amman. The museum’s 10,000 sq m (108,000 sq ft) building covers 1.5 million years of Jordanian history and archaeology, starting from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the present and even projecting into the future. Using over 2,000 artifacts, graphics, and specially designed materials, the exhibits explore Jordan’s history through nine major themes: the environment, food production and processing, visual art and architecture, cultural exchange and trade, politics and the military, communication and writing, industry, religion, and daily domestic life in Jordan throughout the ages. Besides its exhibitions, the Jordan Museum also serves as a research center.
  • A view of Amman and the Roman Theater. The theater is located in the eastern part of the city on a hill opposite the Amman Citadel. The Roman Theater was built between A.D. 138 and 161 in honor of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. With a northerly oriented design to keep the sun off the audience, the theater could seat up to 6,000 people who were separated by status, gender, and nationality. The Jordanian Government started restoring the theatre in 1957 and today it is open to visitors and hosts many local events. The Roman Theater also houses the Amman Folklore Museum and the Amman Museum of Popular Traditions, both located in a series of rooms behind the two ground-level entrances.
  • The Amman Citadel, located in the heart Amman on one of the seven hills that comprise the city, shows the long history of occupation of this region by many of the great civilizations of the world. Most of the buildings still visible at the locale are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. Archaeologists have worked at the site since the 1920s, but a great part of the Citadel remains unexcavated. Pictured here is part of the Roman-era hand of Hercules, all that remains of a massive statue that once stood 13 m (43 ft) tall at the temple honoring him. An inscription dates the temple’s construction to the term of the Roman Governor Geminius Marcianus (A.D. 161-166).
  • Another view of the Temple of Hercules on the Amman Citadel.
  • Some of the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, present-day Jerash.
  • The Arch of Hadrian was built to honor the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to Jerash (then called Gerasa) in the winter of A.D. 129-130. The arch is 11 m high (36 ft), 37.45 m long (122 ft), and 9.25 m wide (30 ft wide). To the left and behind the arch is the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held.
  • The Forum was the center of civic life in every ancient Roman city. The columns in the Forum of ancient Jerash (known as Gerasa in Roman times) would have supported a roof, providing a shaded arcade for the public.
  • Built around A.D. 90-92 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the South Theater of ancient Jerash - still in use today - seats more than 3,000 spectators. The theater is known for its incredible acoustics that allows a speaker standing at the center of the orchestra floor to be heard throughout the entire auditorium while speaking in a normal tone. The first level of the stage, originally a two-story structure, was subsequently reconstructed. In the background one can see a snippet of the modern city of Jerash.
  • The Northern Tetrapylon in ancient Jerash was built around A.D. 180 and dedicated to Julia Domna, the second wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who reigned from A.D. 193-211. A tetrapylon is a type of ancient monument, cubic-shaped, with a gate on each of its four sides, and built at a significant crossroad or geographical focal point.

Jordan Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Yael LEMPERT (since 3 September 2023)

embassy: Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St., Amman

mailing address: 6050 Amman Place, Washington DC  20521-6050

telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000

FAX: [962] (6) 592-0163

email address and website:
Amman-ACS@state.gov

https://jo.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.9% (male 1,771,840/female 1,678,178)

15-64 years: 64.9% (male 3,844,575/female 3,409,164)

65 years and over: 4.2% (2024 est.) (male 228,564/female 241,703)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Jordan. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

31 00 N, 36 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Heliports

6 (2024)

Natural hazards

droughts; periodic earthquakes; flash floods

Area - comparative

about three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Indiana
Area comparison map

about three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Indiana

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women); initial service term is 24 months, with option to reenlist for up to 18 years; conscription was abolished in 1991, but in 2020 Jordan announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service for jobless men aged between 25 and 29 with 12 months of service, made up of 3 months of military training and 9 months of professional and technical training; in 2019, Jordan announced a voluntary 4-month National Military Service program for men and women aged between 18-25 years who have been unemployed for at least 6 months; service would include 1 month for military training with the remaining 3 months dedicated to vocational training in the sectors of construction and tourism (2023)

note: women comprised about 3% of the military as of 2023

Background

After World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. In 1921, Britain demarcated from Palestine a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled the Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern-day Saudi Arabia, until 1925, when IBN SAUD and Wahhabi tribes pushed them out. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The country has had four kings. Long-time ruler King HUSSEIN (r. 1953-99) successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, UK, and Soviet Union), various Arab states, Israel, and Palestinian militants, the latter of which led to a brief civil war in 1970 that is known as "Black September" and ended in King HUSSEIN ousting the militants.

Jordan's borders have changed since it gained independence. In 1948, Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the first Arab-Israeli War, eventually annexing those territories in 1950 and granting its new Palestinian residents Jordanian citizenship. In 1967, Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six-Day War but retained administrative claims to the West Bank until 1988, when King HUSSEIN permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank in favor of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). King HUSSEIN signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, after Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Accords in 1993.

Jordanian kings continue to claim custodianship of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem by virtue of their Hashemite heritage as descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and agreements with Israel and Jerusalem-based religious and Palestinian leaders. After Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 War, it authorized the Jordanian-controlled Islamic Trust, or Waqf, to continue administering the Al Haram ash Sharif/Temple Mount holy compound, and the Jordan-Israel peace treaty reaffirmed Jordan's "special role" in administering the Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem. Jordanian kings claim custodianship of the Christian sites in Jerusalem on the basis of the 7th-century Pact of Omar, when the Muslim leader, after conquering Jerusalem, agreed to permit Christian worship.

King HUSSEIN died in 1999 and was succeeded by his eldest son and current King ABDALLAH II. In 2009, ABDALLAH II designated his son HUSSEIN as the Crown Prince. During his reign, ABDALLAH II has contended with a series of challenges, including the Arab Spring influx of refugees from neighboring states, the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the war in Ukraine, a perennially weak economy, and the Israel-HAMAS conflict that began in October 2023.

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; declining water table; salinity; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; biodiversity and ecosystem damage/loss

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

15.7% (2018 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Exports - commodities

fertilizers, garments, phosphates, jewelry, phosphoric acid (2022)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

US 20%, India 14%, Saudi Arabia 7%, China 6%, Iraq 6% (2022)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); 'Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Al ‘Asimah (Amman), At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

Agricultural products

tomatoes, milk, chicken, potatoes, cucumbers/gherkins, olives, watermelons, peaches/nectarines, sheep milk, chilies/peppers (2022)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Army (includes Special Operations Forces, Border Guards, Royal Guard), Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Jordanian Navy

Ministry of Interior: Public Security Directorate (includes national police, the Gendarmerie, and the Civil Defense Directorate) (2024)

note: the JAF report administratively to the minister of defense and have a support role for internal security; the prime minister serves as defense minister, but there is no separate ministry of defense

Budget

revenues: $16.073 billion (2018 est.)

expenditures: $14.464 billion (2018 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Amman

geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: in the 13th century B.C., the Ammonites named their main city "Rabbath Ammon"; "rabbath" designated "capital," so the name meant "The Capital of [the] Ammon[ites]"; over time, the "Rabbath" came to be dropped and the city became known simply as "Ammon" and then "Amman"

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, gold, crude petroleum, jewelry (2022)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Coastline

26 km

Constitution

history: previous 1928 (preindependence); latest initially adopted 28 November 1947, revised and ratified 1 January 1952

amendments: constitutional amendments require at least a two-thirds majority vote of both the Senate and the House and ratification by the king; amended several times, last in 2022

Exchange rates

Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.71 (2023 est.)
0.71 (2022 est.)
0.71 (2021 est.)
0.71 (2020 est.)
0.71 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Jafar HASSAN (since 15 September 2024)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister

elections/appointments: prime minister appointed by the monarch

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Independence

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

Industries

tourism, information technology, clothing, fertilizer, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (consists of 15 members, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the king; other judges nominated by the Judicial Council, an 11-member judicial policymaking body consisting of high-level judicial officials and judges, and approved by the king; judge tenure not limited; Constitutional Court members appointed by the king for 6-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Great Felonies Court; religious courts; military courts; juvenile courts; Land Settlement Courts; Income Tax Court; Higher Administrative Court; Customs Court; special courts including the State Security Court

Land boundaries

total: 1,744 km

border countries (5): Iraq 179 km; Israel 307 km; Saudi Arabia 731 km; Syria 379 km; West Bank 148 km

Land use

agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 1.1% (2018 est.)

other: 87.5% (2018 est.)

Legal system

mixed system developed from codes instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based on French law), British common law, and Islamic law

Legislative branch

description: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of:
Senate or the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (65 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms)

Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (138 seats; 97 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote; of these, 12 seats reserved for Christian, Circassian, and Chechen minorities, and 18 reserved for women; the remaining 41 members directly elected from a single national constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote; of these, 2 seats reserved for Christians and 1 each for members of the Chechen and Circassian minorities; party candidate lists must include at least 1 woman among the first 3 candidates and 1 among the next 3 candidates; all members serve 4-year terms)

elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 Sep 2020 (next appointments by November 2024)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 10 September 2024 (next to be held in 2028)

election results: Senate - composition - men 55, women 10, percent of women 15.4%

House of Representatives - percentage by party - NA; seats by party - Islamic Action Front 31, Mithaq 21, Irada 19, and Taqadum 8, other (includes seats reserved for women, minorities)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 98.7%

female: 98.4% (2021)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, NATO (partner), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

Nationality

noun: Jordanian(s)

adjective: Jordanian

Natural resources

phosphates, potash, shale oil

Geography - note

strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank; the Dead Sea, the lowest point in Asia and the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lac Assal in Djibouti), lies on Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank; Jordan is almost landlocked but does have a 26 km southwestern coastline with a single port, Al 'Aqabah (Aqaba)

Economic overview

upper-middle-income Middle Eastern economy; high debt and unemployment, especially for youth and women; global events triggering trade slump and decreased revenue from tourism; growing manufacturing and agricultural sectors; key US foreign assistance recipient; natural-resource-poor and import-reliant 

Pipelines

473 km gas, 49 km oil (2013)

Political parties

'Azem
Blessed Land Party
Building and Labor Coalition
Eradah Party
Growth Party
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Jordanian al-Ansar Party
Jordanian al-Ghad Party
Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party or JASBP
Jordanian Civil Democratic Party
Jordanian Communist Party or JCP
Jordanian Equality Party
Jordanian Democratic People's Party or HASD
Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party or JDPUP/Wihda
Jordanian Democratic Unionist Party
Jordanian Flame Party
Jordanian Future and Life Party
Jordanian Model Party
Jordanian National Integration Party
Jordanian National Loyalty Party
Jordanian Reform and Renewal Party or Hassad
Jordanian Shura Party 
Jordanian Social Democratic Party or JSDP
Justice and Reform Party or JRP 
Labor Party
National Charter Party
National Coalition Party
National Constitutional Party
National Current Party or NCP
National Islamic Party
National Union
Nationalist Movement Party or Hsq
New Path Party
Progress Party



Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: Jordan’s government has focused on the use of ICT in a range of sectors, aimed at transforming the relatively small economy through the use of digital services; this policy has helped the country rise in the league tables for digital connectivity and internet readiness, and it has also attracted investment from foreign companies; during the ongoing global pandemic, the start-up sector has been further encouraged to develop solutions to combat the crisis, while other efforts have facilitated e-government services and encouraged businesses to adapt to new methods of working through their own digital transformation; these developments have been supported by the highly developed mobile sector, led by three major regional players which have near-comprehensive LTE network coverage (2022)

domestic: fixed-line stands at nearly 4 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscriptions at 65 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 962; landing point for the FEA and Taba-Aqaba submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Asia; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals (2019)

Terrain

mostly arid desert plateau; a great north-south geological rift along the west of the country is the dominant topographical feature and includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Country name

conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

conventional short form: Jordan

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

local short form: Al Urdun

former: Transjordan

etymology: named for the Jordan River, which makes up part of Jordan's northwest border

Location

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq

Map references

Middle East

Irrigated land

833 sq km (2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dina Khalil Tawfiq KAWAR (since 27 June 2016)

chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664

FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110

email address and website:
hkjconsular@jordanembassyus.org

http://www.jordanembassyus.org/

Internet country code

.jo

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 2.4 million (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 12,866 (Yemen), 6,013 Sudan (2021); 33,951 (Iraq) (mid-year 2022) (2022); 638,760 (Syria) (2024)

stateless persons: 64 (2022)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$50.814 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: BB- (2019)

Moody's rating: B1 (2013)

Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

940 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years

male: 10 years

female: 11 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 92% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99.2% of population

rural: 97.9% of population

total: 99.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population

rural: 2.1% of population

total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)

lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER

note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Jordan. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

2.232 million AMMAN (capital) (2023)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

2.66 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)

National symbol(s)

eagle; national colors: black, white, green, red

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.6 years (2017/18 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Contraceptive prevalence rate

51.8% (2017/18)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 78.9% (2021 est.)

government consumption: 15.8% (2021 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2021 est.)

investment in inventories: 3% (2021 est.)

exports of goods and services: 30.3% (2021 est.)

imports of goods and services: -50.2% (2021 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 57.1

youth dependency ratio: 51.2

elderly dependency ratio: 5.8

potential support ratio: 17.1 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Jordan

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Population distribution

population heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 100%

electrification - rural areas: 98.9%

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 54

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,383,805 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 175.84 million (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

JY

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 98.8% of population

rural: 97.8% of population

total: 98.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population

rural: 2.2% of population

total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Jordanian 69.3%, Syrian 13.3%, Palestinian 6.7%, Egyptian 6.7%, Iraqi 1.4%, other 2.6% (2015 est.)

note: data represent population by self-identified nationality in national census

Religions

Muslim 97.1% (official; predominantly Sunni), Christian 2.1% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), Buddhist 0.4%, Hindu 0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, folk <0.1%, other <0.1%, unaffiliated <0.1% (2020 est.)
MENA religious affiliation

Languages

Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic audio sample

Imports - partners

China 17%, UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 6%, US 4% (2022)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 812 m

Current health expenditure

7.5% of GDP (2020)

Military - note

the JAF traces its origins back to the Arab Legion, which was formed under the British protectorate of Transjordan in the 1920s; it is responsible for territorial defense and border security and has a supporting role for internal security; the JAF participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises, UN peacekeeping missions, and has taken part in regional military operations alongside international forces in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen

the JAF’s primary concerns include terrorist and criminal threats emanating from its borders with Syria and Iraq, as well as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and conflicts in southern Lebanon/northern Israel and the Red Sea; the terrorist group Hizballah and Iranian-backed militia forces operate in southwestern Syria near Jordan’s border while fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group continue to operate in both Iraq and Syria; ISIS fighters have included Jordanian nationals, some of whom have returned to Jordan; individuals and groups sympathetic to Palestinian causes have planned and conducted terrorist attacks in Jordan

the US is a key security partner, and Jordan is one of the largest recipients of US military aid in the region; it cooperates with the US on a number of issues, including border and maritime security, arms transfers, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism; Jordan has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 100,000 active-duty armed forces personnel (85,000 Army; 14,000 Air Force; 1,000 Navy); approximately 15,000 Gendarmerie Forces (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the JAF inventory is comprised of a wide mix of imported equipment, much of it older or secondhand, from China, Europe, some Gulf States, Russia, and the US (2024)

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Military deployments

Jordan has about 200 police deployed to the MONUSCO mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2024)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 500 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 40 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 570 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,529,997 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 177,100 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7% (2014 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 26.1% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 4.5% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 25.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 25.11 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.04 megatons (2020 est.)

Major aquifers

Arabian Aquifer System

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Israel and West Bank) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level

Illicit drugs

primarily a transshipment country for amphetamine tablets originating in Lebanon and Syria and destined for Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Gulf countries; the government is increasingly concerned about domestic consumption of illicit drugs

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales:

Petra (c); Quseir Amra (c); Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (c); Wadi Rum Protected Area (m); Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) (c); As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality (c); Umm Al-Jimāl (c)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 1.5%

women married by age 18: 9.7%

men married by age 18: 0.1% (2018 est.)

Coal

consumption: 479,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports: (2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton

imports: 297,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 77.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar: 15.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Natural gas

production: 187.262 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

consumption: 4.382 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

exports: 375.998 million cubic meters (2018 est.)

imports: 4.255 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves: 6.031 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 20 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 97,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 1 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.39 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

55.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

9.72% of GDP (2023 est.)
10.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
10.96% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Ports

total ports: 1 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 0

very small: 1

ports with oil terminals: 1

key ports: Al Aqabah

Labor force

3.063 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 40.8% (2023 est.)

male: 39.3% (2023 est.)

female: 47.1% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

-10.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 25 years (2024 est.)

male: 25.5 years

female: 24.4 years

Debt - external

$16.293 billion (2022 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Maternal mortality ratio

41 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$15.56 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$15.543 billion (2016 est.)
$16.572 billion (2015 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

101.14% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
4.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
5% of GDP (2021 est.)
5% of GDP (2020 est.)
5.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Unemployment rate

17.94% (2023 est.)
18.2% (2022 est.)
19.84% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 11,174,024

male: 5,844,979

female: 5,329,045 (2024 est.)

note: increased estimate reflects revised assumptions about the net migration rate due to the increased flow of Syrian refugees

Internet users

total: 9.13 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 83% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

21.261 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.124 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 13.256 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 6.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Area

total : 89,342 sq km

land: 88,802 sq km

water: 540 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

17.51% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$106.806 billion (2023 est.)
$104.084 billion (2022 est.)
$101.617 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Roadways

total: 7,203 km

paved: 7,203 km (2011)

Airports

17 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 7.626 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.08% (2023 est.)
4.23% (2022 est.)
1.35% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

-$4.159 billion (2022 est.)
-$3.718 billion (2021 est.)
-$2.505 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$9,400 (2023 est.)
$9,200 (2022 est.)
$9,100 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 630,545 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 34.8% (2020 est.)

male: 56.8% (2020 est.)

female: 12.8% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

35.5% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

30.906 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Death rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

22.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 6.805 million kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 19.679 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports: 177.332 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports: 389.867 million kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.4 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 34 (2023)

by type: general cargo 5, other 29

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.7% (2019)

Imports

$29.955 billion (2022 est.)
$23.321 billion (2021 est.)
$18.424 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$20.335 billion (2022 est.)
$13.87 billion (2021 est.)
$10.444 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 466,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2022 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.5 years (2024 est.)

male: 75 years

female: 78.1 years

Real GDP growth rate

2.62% (2023 est.)
2.43% (2022 est.)
3.66% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

3.28% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 509 km (2020)

narrow gauge: 509 km (2014) 1.050-m gauge

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 4.8% (2023 est.)

industry: 24.1% (2023 est.)

services: 60.6% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Population growth rate

0.78% (2024 est.)
Sources: