First 100 days: What do Jordanians think of Prime Minister Hassan's performance?

The Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan held a press conference to announce key findings from a study examining Jordanians' views on Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan’s government 100 days after taking the reins.

Key challenges facing Jordan

The report identified unemployment and poverty as the top challenges facing the country. Among the national sample, 49% cited these issues as the most pressing concerns, while 46% of opinion leaders agreed.

Citizens’ expectations from the government

Most respondents expressed economic concerns, with:

• 32% seeking government decisions focused on job creation and reducing unemployment.
• 21% urging measures to curb rising prices and the cost of living.
• 15.5% advocating for increased wages and enforcement of minimum wage regulations.

Optimism and government performance

Public opinion on the government’s ability to handle its responsibilities was divided:

• 34% of Jordanians expressed satisfaction with the government’s actions since its formation.
• A significant majority (91%) of opinion leaders reported closely following the government’s activities.
• Over half of the national sample (51%) and 55% of opinion leaders were optimistic about the performance of the ministerial team under Prime Minister Hassan.

Government’s capacity to handle responsibilities

• 51% of the national sample believed the government was capable of meeting its responsibilities during the first 100 days, compared to 54% in the initial formation survey.
• 55% stated that the prime minister demonstrated strong leadership during this period, down slightly from 57% in the earlier survey.
• 47% felt the ministerial team, excluding the prime minister, effectively managed responsibilities, compared to 50% in the formation survey.

Comparing performance with previous governments

The report noted that public evaluations of Prime Minister Hassan’s government were higher than those of previous administrations. Among opinion leaders, 70% believed the government effectively managed its responsibilities during the first 100 days, up from 52% in the earlier survey.

Policy priorities moving forward

Among the national sample, 32% called for a focus on improving citizens' economic and living conditions, 30% emphasized poverty reduction and unemployment solutions, and another 30% highlighted controlling inflation and improving wages.

Opinion leaders prioritized boosting domestic and foreign investment (30%), reducing poverty and unemployment (29%), and enhancing economic and living conditions (27%).

Social and public services priorities

• 41% of the national sample believe the government should prioritize improving healthcare services.
• 32% emphasized the need to develop and enhance the education system.

Among opinion leaders, 52% identified education reform as the top priority, while 30% focused on healthcare improvement.

Political priorities

• 33% of the national sample expect the government to play a leadership role in shaping new regional policies and arrangements.
• 32% called for strengthening public freedoms and the rule of law.
• 25% highlighted the importance of advancing political modernization through stronger government-parliament relations.

Similarly, among opinion leaders:

• 36% prioritized a leadership role in regional policies.
• 33% advocated for enhancing public freedoms and the rule of law.
• 29% stressed the need to continue and reinforce political modernization through stronger ties with parliament and political parties.

Investment and development priorities

• 49% of the national sample believe the government should focus on implementing major projects, particularly in water, transportation, energy, and emerging economic sectors.
• 37% emphasized the need to simplify procedures for local and foreign investment and explore new investment opportunities.

Opinion leaders’ views aligned closely:

• 44% called for executing major projects in critical sectors like water, transportation, and energy.
• 49% stressed facilitating local and foreign investment while opening up new investment sectors.

Optimism regarding reform programs

• Over half of the national sample (52%) and opinion leaders (55%) expressed optimism about the government’s ability to implement public sector reform plans.
• 51% of the national sample and 59% of opinion leaders were confident in the government’s ability to achieve its economic reform vision.
• 53% of the national sample and 65% of opinion leaders believed the government could effectively manage regional issues.
• 52% of the national sample and 58% of opinion leaders were optimistic about the government’s ability to complete and advance political reforms.

Public trust in Jordan’s security institutions remains high

• The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) – Arab Army: 91%
• Public Security Directorate: 89%
• General Intelligence Directorate: 89%
• Civil Defense: 91%

However, 79% of Jordanians expressed distrust in most people outside their close circles. Trust is primarily confined to:

• Family (95%)
• Neighbors (63%)
• Acquaintances (61%)

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan's field visits

• 34% of Jordanians were aware of visits by the prime minister and his ministerial team to their governorate, while 66% were unaware.

Sources of information about the visits:

• Television: 44%
• Social media platforms: 29%
• Family, friends, and coworkers: 20%

Among those aware, evaluations of the visits were largely positive:

• 70% viewed visits to schools, hospitals, and projects favorably.
• 65% approved of the timing and duration of the visits.
• 64% were positive about directives issued during or after the visits.
• 62% appreciated the choice of individuals met during the visits.
• 54% noted satisfaction with the implementation of the prime minister’s directives.

Economic outlook

• 52% of the national sample and 59% of opinion leaders expressed optimism about the Jordanian economy under the current government.
• 58% of Jordanians are optimistic about the economy’s trajectory over the next two years, a significant increase from 37% in April 2023.
• 12% believe their personal economic situation will improve within the next 12 months, compared to 8% in the April 2023 survey.

Methodology

The survey was conducted between January 5 and 10, 2025, with:

• 1,608 participants in the national sample (50% male, 50% female), randomly selected from 200 locations across Jordan.
• 664 opinion leaders representing seven groups: senior officials, party leaders, professional and labor union leaders, university professors, business leaders, and journalists.

The survey involved 75 field and office researchers, with 15 supervisors, and a margin of error of approximately ±3%.