Significant increase in female unemployment rate in Jordan

Jordan

Published: 2017-07-13 12:32

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 14:05


Department of Statistics shows female unemployment is on the rise.
Department of Statistics shows female unemployment is on the rise.

As Jordan’s unemployment rate continues to rise, statistics show that women in the Kingdom are experiencing the full impact of the increase, with female unemployment reaching 33 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

According to a report by the Department of Statistics (DoS) showed, as quoted by a Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) statement, women’s unemployment has risen by 8.2 points since the last quarter of 2016, in comparison to a 0.1 point increase in male unemployment.

In 2016, only 13.2 per cent of women were economically active (employed or seeking work) in Jordan, in comparison with 58.7 per cent of men. Women unemployment rates in Jordan are notably high, ranking 16th amongst 217 countries, the statement said.

The total unemployment rate has risen to 18.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. This is compared to 15.8 percent in the last quarter of 2016.

There are a number of factors affecting female economic participation within the Kingdom.

A 2014 World Bank report cited patriarchal mindsets and general unemployment issues as reasons behind the gender imbalance in the unemployment rate:

“Married women are considerably less likely to participate in the labor force. Young and educated women, ready to join the labor force, face high levels of unemployment. Gender-related bias in the economic structure of employment adversely affects women’s economic participation,” it stated.

The DoS also acknowledged causes including the new methodology and questionnaire for the labour force survey, high presence of women in the informal economy, regional instability and the increase of refugees in Jordan, as some factors influencing the outcome of the latests unemployment statistics.