Unemployment rate (annual) in Jordan

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 21.3% 2027: 21.3% 2028: 21.3% 2029: 21.3% 2030: 21.3% 2031: 21.3%

21.3% (2025) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV

Period	%
Jan 2025	21.3%
Jan 2024	21.4%
Jan 2023	22.0%
Jan 2022	22.9%
Jan 2021	24.1%
Jan 2020	22.7%
Jan 2019	19.1%
Jan 2018	18.6%
Jan 2017	18.3%
Jan 2016	15.3%
Jan 2015	13.1%
Jan 2014	11.9%
Jan 2013	12.6%
Jan 2012	12.2%
Jan 2011	12.9%
Jan 2010	12.5%
Jan 2009	12.9%
Jan 2008	12.7%
Jan 2007	12.5%
Jan 2006	14.1%
Jan 2005	14.8%
Jan 2004	14.7%
Jan 2003	14.4%
Jan 2002	15.3%
Jan 2001	14.7%
Jan 2000	13.7%
Jan 1999	14.4%
Jan 1998	13.5%
Jan 1997	14.4%
Jan 1996	13.1%
Jan 1995	15.4%
Jan 1994	15.8%
Jan 1993	19.6%
Jan 1992	17.6%
Jan 1991	18.8%
Jan 1990	16.8%

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Measures the share of Jordan's labour force that is without work and actively seeking a job. Compiled by Jordan's Department of Statistics (DoS), it is the main indicator of its labour market.

How it's calculated

It is drawn from the DoS employment and unemployment survey applying the ILO definition of unemployment. It is expressed as an annual percentage of the labour force, obtained by averaging readings over the year.

Market implications

Unemployment, very high especially among the young and graduates, is a structural problem and a source of social tension in Jordan. A high reading reinforces pressure on fiscal policy and reforms; the dinar, pegged to the dollar, barely reacts owing to its fixed exchange rate.

Limitations

The indicator does not adequately reflect the low labour-force participation, particularly among women, nor the weight of foreign labour and refugees. It is subject to sampling error, seasonality and revision.