Unemployment rate in Jordan
Jordan: Unemployment rate was 16.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
16.5%
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
13th
of 186 countries
All-time high
21.4%
in 1991
All-time low
11.9%
in 2014
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment rate in Jordan, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Jordan is 16.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 26.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Jordan peaked at 21.4% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 11.9%, in 2014.
That places Jordan 13th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment rate in Jordan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 21.4% | — |
| 1992 | 19.9% | -7.0% |
| 1993 | 19.7% | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 16.9% | -14.2% |
| 1995 | 14.6% | -13.6% |
| 1996 | 13.7% | -6.2% |
| 1997 | 13.7% | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 13.8% | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 13.8% | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 13.7% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 14.7% | +7.3% |
| 2002 | 15.3% | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 14.5% | -5.2% |
| 2004 | 14.6% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 14.8% | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 14.0% | -5.4% |
| 2007 | 13.1% | -6.4% |
| 2008 | 12.7% | -3.1% |
| 2009 | 12.9% | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 12.5% | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 12.9% | +3.2% |
| 2012 | 12.2% | -5.4% |
| 2013 | 12.6% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | -5.6% |
| 2015 | 13.1% | +9.9% |
| 2016 | 15.3% | +16.8% |
| 2017 | 18.1% | +18.6% |
| 2018 | 18.3% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 16.8% | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 19.2% | +14.4% |
| 2021 | 19.8% | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 18.2% | -8.3% |
| 2023 | 16.6% | -8.7% |
| 2024 | 16.7% | +0.4% |
| 2025 | 16.5% | -0.9% |
Jordan compared with similar countries
- Jordan's 16.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.6%, 2.9× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Jordan's 16.5% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 9.0%, 1.8× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16.4% | 13.7% | 21.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 14.0% | 12.7% | 15.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.4% | 11.9% | 18.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.8% | 16.5% | 19.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Jordan
More work & labour data for Jordan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1447 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1467 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.7497 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.06 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,518 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 669.38 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 10,584 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 10,739 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 21,323 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Jordan?
- Unemployment rate in Jordan was 16.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Jordan?
- The highest recorded value was 21.4% in 1991.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Jordan?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.9% in 2014.
- How does Jordan rank for unemployment rate?
- Jordan ranks 13th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Jordan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Jordan data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.