Economic Outline

Economic Indicators

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

The Jordanian economy, severely impacted by the refugee influx and grown increasing dependence on international grants that followed the Syrian and subsequent refugee crisis, had to deal with the global effect of the COVID pandemic since 2020. Nevertheless, its GDP growth amounted to 2.2% in 2021, from -1.6% in 2020, and remained at 2.4% in 2022 (IMF, 2023). According to the updated IMF forecasts from January 2023, GDP growth is expected to reach 2.7% this year and then to 3% in 2023, subject to the post-pandemic global economic recovery.

Jordan is one of the few countries in the Middle East that does not rely as much on its natural resources due to scarcity of hydrocarbon and water resources. Nevertheless, it is also one of the most committed countries to financial reforms within its region (privatisation, tax reforms, opening of the banking sector, etc.). Jordan has implemented reforms under the terms of the extended fund facility that it negotiated with the IMF in 2016 and the subsequent fiscal consolidation policies brought down the government budget balance to a deficit of 6.4% of GDP in 2020, 5% in 2021 and 4% in 2022. This trend is expected to continue with government balance anticipated to reach a deficit of 4.3% by 2023 and 4.4% in 2024. The IMF estimates that public debt was 91.9% of GDP in 2021 and 91% in 2022, will stabilise in 2023 (90.6%) and should reduce to 87.4% in 2024. At the same time, Jordan renewed its agreement with the IMF at the start of 2020 on a two-year arrangement under the extended fund facility for around USD 1.3 billion. Jordan adopted a comprehensive IMF-backed income tax law at the end of 2018, which provides for a gradual increase of corporate tax rates from 2019 to 2024. Industrial, pharmaceutical and clothing activities, that currently benefit from reduced tax rates, will be imposed at the same rate as the rest of businesses as of 2024. However, the effective corporate tax is even higher as Jordan introduced at the start of 2019 a new national contribution tax on the taxable income of all corporations in Jordan, at varying rates from 1% to 7%, as part of its efforts to pay off the national debt. While Jordan's macroeconomic dynamics are set to improve, global financing conditions and regional instability continue to challenge the economic growth, limiting the scope of foreign investment. Jordan's current account deficit, 6.7% of GDP in 2022, is expected to narrow to 4.8% of GDP in 2023 and 4% in 2024. The country's external position remains fragile given considerable financing requirements. Inflation fell to 0.4% in 2020 from 0.7% a year earlier but increased to 1.3% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022. It is expected to reach 3% in 2023 and 2.5% in 2024 amid tight monetary policies and sluggish demand.

Modest economic growth, high unemployment and limited job creation raise concerns about the extent of poverty reduction that can be achieved. Despite low economic contraction in 2020, household recovery may be slow and uneven. Larger households, young, female, informal workers and those in interaction-intensive services sectors will likely see depressed incomes for longer (world Bank, 2022). In 2023, the country’s most immediate challenge remains related to the economic, social and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the humanitarian and financial crisis caused by the influx of Syrian refugees, Jordan also has to deal with a high unemployment rate, that rose further to 24.4% by the end of 2021 (IMF, 2022), a high poverty rate and high levels of inequality. In the long-term, the Jordan Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 24% in 2023 and 20% in 2024, according to the Trading Economics econometric models (Trading Economics, 2023). Unemployment affects university degree holders and women much more negatively, further contributing to inequalities. However, Jordan's development has benefited from international aid as the country has been able to become a central element of stability in the Near and Middle East, ensuring peace on the borders it shares with its neighbouring countries.

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