Jordan

Jordan is a small Arab country with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources. Poverty, unemployment, and inflation are fundamental problems, but King Abdallah II, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards.

• 14.2% of the population lies below the poverty line
• As of 2007, MFIs in Jordan reached just 20% of the potential market

Jordan’s estimated population is 6,198,677 as of July 2008, making it one of the eight countries in the Middle East with populations below 10 million. The urban population within Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa accounts for 63% of the total population. According to the UNDP, the gender gap for economic empowerment is still unacceptably low. Women have yet to attain tangible benefits in earnings.

Learn more about Grameen-Jameel’s work in Jordan.