Promoting Employment in Jordan

Context

Jordan’s overall unemployment rate has increased from 15.3 per cent in 2016 to 25 per cent in 2021. Currently, 32.8 per cent of women and almost 50 per cent of 20 to 24 year olds are unemployed. The strong population growth and the COVID-19 pandemic pose significant challenges for Jordan’s labour market. More than twice as many new job seekers enter the labour market every year than new jobs are created. In addition the integration of about 662,000 Syrian refugees depresses wages and leads to more informal jobs. Many women and young people now work in jobs for which they are overqualified or which do not offer an adequate income.

Objective

The employment situation and working conditions in Jordan are improved in selected regions and branches. At least 60 per cent of the 5,000 job seekers who participated in the programme’s employment services have found a long-term occupation.

Approach

 The project focuses on building capacity and promoting the structures of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and other local and regional partners to create more and better jobs. It supports the expansion of labour market policy measures, such as state and private job placement services, and offers help to those starting self-employment. In addition, selected sectors in the target governorates of Irbid, Balqa, Karak, and Ma’an are supported in using existing potential for job creation and bring job seekers into employment. The project also advises the MoL on improving its quality assurance system and on integrating women into the labour market.

Last update: November 2021