2005
An overview of the labour market situation in Jordan presenting the main data on employment by sector, age, gender and level of education is provided in this report. The specific cases of non-Jordanian employees and employment in the informal economy are highlighted, these topics requiring special attention in the Jordanian context. Addressed also is the question of how to define better the unemployed population in Jordan on the basis of personal and professional characteristics. Particular attention is given to groups that are more likely to be affected, such as women, young people and ‘discouraged workers’ or underemployed people. The impact of education on the capacity to find (and keep) a job is considered. The public sector being very important in Jordan, further research and interpretation of data are needed to explain both the incentives and disincentives it creates for young labour market entrants and women. Finally, regional disparities in employment are looked at. Two sets of recommendations close the report: technical recommendations to main information providers for improving the quality of the information collected, and policy recommendations for tackling unemployment. These recommendations are intended to support policymakers in their commitment and willingness to adapt both the formal and informal education and training system and the whole labour market in Jordan. This report prepared in the framework of the ETF Observatory function project, represents the final and shared version of a pilot analysis of the unemployment situation in Jordan, conducted in order to test the capacity of the information system developed through the Al Manar project. It is the result of a close cooperation between the ETF and the National Center for Human Resources Development (NCHRD) and owes a lot to the members of the Jordan Observatory Function Task Force.
