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The Evolution of Labor Supply in Jordan Through 2025

Author

Listed:
  • Caroline Krafft

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Ragui Assaad

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Nouf Abushehab

    (Trinity College Dublin)

Abstract

This paper investigates the evolution of labor supply in Jordan over the period 2010 to 2025. Analyses explore demographic drivers of labor supply, including age structure, population growth and its drivers of marriage and fertility, as well as immigration and refugees. Population growth has slowed in Jordan, in part due to lower fertility. Jordan’s population has become increasingly educated, with women’s average years of schooling having exceeded men’s for some time. Labor force participation is explored overall and in terms of its key components of employment-to-population ratios and unemployment rates. Patterns of labor supply are disaggregated by age, education, nationality, and sex, with a particular focus on how marriage and household composition shape women’s participation. Overall, employment and labor force participation rates have declined to very low levels, while unemployment has risen. Labor market outcomes have improved slightly for Syrian refugees in 2025 compared to 2016. Women’s employment rates and participation are very low, with single women more likely to be employed than married ones. Youth unemployment rates are particularly high and have increased over time. Overall, Jordan’s labor supply is being increasingly underutilized.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Krafft & Ragui Assaad & Nouf Abushehab, 2026. "The Evolution of Labor Supply in Jordan Through 2025," Working Papers 1823, Economic Research Forum, revised 17 Mar 2026.
    • Handle: RePEc:erg:wpaper:1823
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ragui Assaad & Caroline Krafft, 2023. "Labour market dynamics and youth unemployment in the Middle East and North Africa: Evidence from Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 37(4), pages 519-553, December.
    2. Caroline Krafft & Ragui Assaad, 2020. "Employment’s Role in Enabling and Constraining Marriage in the Middle East and North Africa," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(6), pages 2297-2325, December.
    3. Krafft Caroline & Assaad Ragui, 2021. "Introducing the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey 2016," IZA Journal of Development and Migration, Sciendo & Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-42, January.
    4. Ragui Assaad & Rana Hendy & Moundir Lassassi & Shaimaa Yassin, 2020. "Explaining the MENA paradox: Rising educational attainment yet stagnant female labor force participation," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 43(28), pages 817-850.
    5. Ragui Assaad & Caroline Krafft & Colette Salemi, 2023. "Socioeconomic Status and the Changing Nature of School-to-Work Transitions in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 76(4), pages 697-723, August.
    6. Caroline Krafft & Elizabeth Kula & Maia Sieverding, 2021. "An investigation of Jordan’s fertility stall and resumed decline: The role of proximate determinants," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(19), pages 605-652.
    7. Caroline Krafft & Ragui Assaad & Sara Ragab, 2026. "Introducing the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey 2025," Working Papers 1822, Economic Research Forum, revised 17 Mar 2026.
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