Jordan: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Jordan?

Jordan's unemployment rate was 16.1% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 16.5% a year earlier, according to the Department of Statistics. Among Jordanian nationals the rate was 21.0%, down from 21.3%.

The figures come from the quarterly Employment and Unemployment Survey of households. The 16.1% rate covers the total population, Jordanians and non-Jordanians, while the 21.0% rate covers Jordanian nationals only. Unemployed people are those without work, available and actively looking for a job. DoS publishes the survey results about two months after each quarter.

Official sources: DoS: unemployment rate, second quarter 2026

What is Jordan's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Jordan was 260 JOD a month (about $366) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Jordan earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Jordan was $495 a month in 2024. Since 2016 it has ranged from $451 a month (2019) to $694 a month (2016). Worldwide: 47th of 75.

What is Jordan's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Jordan was 16.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 19.8% in 2021 and the low 11.9% in 2014. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.3%, and Jordan placed 4th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 12th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Jordan?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Jordan at 38.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 43.9%; its low point was 2014, at 27.6%. It is 3rd highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. World rank, highest first: 8th of 174.

What share of people in Jordan are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 40.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 36.4% (2014) to 40.2% (2017). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 45.2%; Jordan is 17th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 166th of 174.

How many women in Jordan are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 16.0%. The peak was 16.6% in 2017 and the low 11.4% in 2005. It is 15th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. World rank, highest first: 168th of 174.

How many people in Jordan are employed?

33.4%: that is the employment to population ratio in Jordan for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 31.0% (2021) to 34.9% (2009). It is 17th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. Worldwide: 168th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Jordan?

7.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Jordan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 14th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. World rank, highest first: 152nd of 174.

What share of jobs in Jordan are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 88.8%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 88.9%; its low point was 2005, at 83.2%. It is 7th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 74.1%. Worldwide: 18th of 174.