Country Profile: Jordan

Jordan, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is located in the Middle East, bordered by Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. The country has a population of approximately 11.3 million, with a diverse demographic that includes Jordanians, Palestinians, and Syrians. Jordan has a developing economy that is heavily reliant on imports due to limited natural resources. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, it faces ongoing socio-economic challenges, particularly in terms of unemployment and debt.

Geography

Jordan is situated in a strategic location in the Middle East, flanked by Israel to the west and Iraq to the east. The country features predominantly arid desert terrain, including the Dead Sea, the lowest point in Asia. Despite its relatively small area, Jordan has a variety of landscapes, from the Jordan River Valley to the highlands.

Area: 89,342 sq km (slightly smaller than Indiana)
Climate: Mostly arid desert, with a rainy season from November to April
Natural Resources: Phosphates, potash, and shale oil
Elevation: Highest point at 1,854 m (Jabal Umm ad Dami) and lowest point at -431 m (Dead Sea)
Irrigated Land: 875 sq km (as of 2022)

People and Society

Jordan's population is characterized by a mix of ethnicities, with Jordanians making up roughly 69.3% of the population. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion, with a substantial Christian minority. The country has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 25.4 years and high urbanization, as about 92% of the population lives in urban areas.

Population (2025 est.): 11,312,507
Urbanization Rate: 0.98% annual growth (2020-2025)
Literacy Rate: 94.8% (2023 est.)
Birth Rate: 21.9 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 76.5 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Jordan operates as an upper-middle-income economy, heavily reliant on imports due to its scarcity of natural resources. The economy has been affected by regional instability and global events, leading to high unemployment rates, particularly among youth and women. The agricultural and manufacturing sectors have been showing growth, supported by foreign aid, notably from the US.

GDP (PPP): $109.986 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 2.5% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 18% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 102.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Poverty Rate: 15.7% of the population (2018 est.)

Government

Jordan is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a legal system rooted in a mix of Ottoman codes, British common law, and Islamic law. The current monarch, King Abdallah II, has been in power since 1999. The country operates with a bicameral legislature consisting of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate.

Capital: Amman
Government Type: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Administrative Divisions: 12 governorates
Constitution: Last revised in 1952

Military and Security

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) play a crucial role in national security, tasked with defending territorial integrity and participating in regional peacekeeping efforts. The country maintains a military expenditure of 4.5% of GDP, reflecting its strategic geopolitical role and security partnerships, particularly with the United States.

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 100,000 (2025)
Military Expenditure: 4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Compulsory Military Service: Selective service for men turning 18 in 2026
Key Security Partner: The US, receiving substantial military aid
Military Deployments: Participation in UN missions, notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Energy

Jordan's energy sector is underpinned by a high reliance on fossil fuels, with significant efforts underway to incorporate renewable sources such as solar and wind. The country invests in electricity generation capacity to meet rising demands as electrification is nearly universal.

Electrification Rate: 100% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed Electricity Capacity: 6.891 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 32.909 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 5.441 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity Imports: 383.073 million kWh (2023 est.)

Environment

Jordan faces significant environmental challenges, including limited freshwater resources and desertification. The nation is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements but continues to struggle with issues related to water management and ecosystem preservation.

Environmental Issues: Deforestation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 22.434 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Waste Generation: 2.53 million tons of municipal solid waste (2024 est.)
Renewable Water Resources: 937 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Urban Population: 92% (2023)

Transportation

Jordan's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of roads, airports, and a limited railway network, with significant reliance on road transportation. The country has a single major port, Al Aqabah, which is vital for trade.

Airports: 18 (2025)
Railways: 509 km of narrow gauge (as of 2020)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 34 (2023)
Ports: 1 (2024)
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: JY

Communications

The communications sector in Jordan is well-developed, with high levels of mobile and internet penetration. The government operates the dominant radio and television services, while private broadcasting has been growing since 2007.

Internet Users: 93% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 8.05 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 451,000 (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: Dominated by Jordan Radio and Television Corporation
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.
Birth Rate	21.9 births/1,000	2025 est.
Life Expectancy	76.5 years	2024 est.
Electrification Rate	100%	2022 est.
Urban Population	92%	2023
Military Expenditure	4.5% of GDP	2024 est.
Refugees	675,388	2024 est.