Country Profile: Jordan

Jordan, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy located in the Middle East, bordered by Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. The country covers an area of approximately 89,342 square kilometers and has a diverse population of around 11.3 million people, with a significant percentage of urban dwellers concentrated in and around the capital, Amman. Despite its strategic location and rich history, Jordan faces economic challenges, including high debt and unemployment rates, particularly among youth and women, while being highly dependent on foreign assistance and imports.

Geography

Jordan is situated in the Middle East, bordered by Israel to the west, Iraq to the northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the south. The country's terrain primarily consists of arid desert plateaus, with notable geographic features including the Jordan River Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Jordan's climate is predominantly arid, with a rainy season occurring from November to April.

Total area: 89,342 sq km
Land boundaries: 1,744 km
Highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami at 1,854 m
Lowest point: Dead Sea at -431 m
Coastline: 26 km along the Gulf of Aqaba

People and Society

Jordan's population is approximately 11.3 million, with a dense concentration in urban areas, especially in and around Amman. The society is ethnically diverse, comprising mainly Jordanians, with significant Syrian and Palestinian communities. The official language is Arabic, and Islam is the predominant religion, specifically Sunni Islam.

Urbanization: 92% of the population is urban (2023)
Population growth rate: 1.68% (2025 est.)
Median age: 25.4 years (2025 est.)
Literacy rate: 94.8% (2023 est.)
Life expectancy: 76.5 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Jordan's economy is classified as upper-middle-income and is heavily reliant on imports due to limited natural resources. The country has a growing manufacturing and agricultural sector but struggles with high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth. In recent years, external factors, including regional conflicts and global economic shifts, have impacted its economic stability.

GDP (PPP): $109.986 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $9,500 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 18% (2024 est.)
Public debt: 102.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances: 8.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Jordan operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with the king holding substantial authority over government functions. The current king, Abdullah II, has been in power since 1999. The country’s legislative framework includes a bicameral National Assembly composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with elections held every four years.

Capital: Amman
Administrative divisions: 12 governorates
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Most recent election date: September 10, 2024
National holiday: Independence Day, celebrated on May 25

Military and Security

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) are responsible for national defense and security, with a focus on border protection and counterterrorism. The military is well-equipped and collaborates closely with the US and other international partners.

Active military personnel: Approximately 100,000 (2025)
Military expenditure: 4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military service age: Voluntary service begins at 17 years; compulsory service reinstated for certain demographics
Military deployments: 140 personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2025)

Energy

Jordan's energy sector is characterized by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, though the country is also investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. The electrification rate is nearly universal, with both urban and rural areas having high access to electricity.

Installed generating capacity: 6.891 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 20.31 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 5.441 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal consumption: 269,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Jordan include limited freshwater resources, deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification. The country is actively participating in various international environmental agreements to mitigate these issues.

Water withdrawal: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 937 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated: 2.53 million tons (2024 est.)
Recycling rate: 14.6% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

Jordan has a developing transportation infrastructure, including road networks and a limited railway system. The main port is located in Al Aqabah, which facilitates maritime trade and travel.

Total railways: 509 km (2020)
Airports: 18 (2025)
Merchant marine vessels: 34 (2023)
Public transportation: Various forms, including buses and taxis service most urban areas.

Communications

Communications infrastructure in Jordan is robust, with a high percentage of internet users and mobile cellular subscriptions. The media landscape is dominated by state-owned entities, though private media has emerged in the last decade.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 8.05 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line telephones: 451,000 (2023 est.)
Internet users: 93% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband subscriptions: 805,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,312,507 (2025 est.)
Area	89,342 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$109.986 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	18% (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	32.909 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Life expectancy	76.5 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	94.8% (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	22.434 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Electricity access	100% (2022 est.)
Public debt	102.8% of GDP (2023 est.)