Jordan's unemployment rate drops to 21.4% in 2024

Jordan's Department of Statistics has released its annual report on the 2024 unemployment rate, providing a detailed review of key findings related to unemployment, job seekers, employed individuals, and the overall workforce.

The unemployment rate for 2024 in Jordan was 21.4 percent, showing a 0.6 percentage point decrease compared to 2023, which was 22.0 percent.

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A significant gender gap was observed in the unemployment rates, with the male rate at 18.2 percent and the female rate rising to 32.9 percent. While male unemployment decreased by 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous year, female unemployment increased by 2.2 percentage points.

Unemployed individuals

The unemployment rate among university degree holders was 25.8 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. Furthermore, 59.2 percent of the total unemployed population had educational qualifications beyond a high school diploma.

Employed individuals

The employment rate for those aged 16 and older was 27.5 percent, increasing to 32.3 percent for individuals aged 23 and older. Among employed males, 59.4 percent were in the 20-39 age group, while 57.9 percent of employed females fell into the same category. Additionally, 47.3 percent of employed individuals had educational qualifications below a high school diploma.

Labor force participation

The revised labor force participation rate for 2024 was 34.1 percent, an increase of 0.9 percentage points compared to 2023. For males, the participation rate was 53.4 percent, while the female rate rose to 14.9 percent, marking a 0.9 percentage point increase. For context, the average female participation rate in Arab countries is approximately 19.2 percent.

Unemployment rates by governorate

Among the governorates, Mafraq and Ma'an recorded the highest unemployment rates at 23.2 percent, while Aqaba had the lowest at 17.3 percent.

This report underscores the ongoing challenges in Jordan's job market, with a focus on gender disparities in employment and the educational levels of the unemployed.

The government's efforts to address these gaps and boost economic participation remain critical for fostering job creation and achieving economic stability.