Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Jordan is consistently ranked as having a quality of life and standard of living superior to
most other countries within the region. It also compares favourably with the world's devel-
oping countries as a whole.
Since King Abdullah II's accession to the throne in 1999, liberal economic policies have
been introduced, contributing to an annual growth rate of 7 per cent for the decade.
Jordan is among the most open economies in the Middle East and North Africa, with a mod-
ern banking sector. Due to its conservative banking policies, that helped the country escape
the worst of the global financial crisis of 2009, Jordan is also becoming a regional invest-
ment destination of choice .
In terms of labour, Jordan is both an importer and an exporter. Estimates of the number of
low skilled and semi-skilled labourers from the Middle East and South Asia, range from
300,000 foreign workers to almost 700,000, constituting about 20-30 per cent of the overall
labour force.
Paradoxically, in terms of proportion of population, Jordan is one of the largest suppliers of
skilled labour in the world. An estimated 600,000 Jordanians are currently earning their liv-
ing in foreign countries, working primarily in high paying white-collar jobs, particularly in
the oil producing Gulf states.
Since the mid 1970s, the remittances, received from Jordanians located overseas, have
provided the country with one of its most important sources of foreign exchange, while con-
tributing to the country's overall economic development.
It may be anticipated that Jordan will reap the benefit from its stability within the region and
enjoy continuing growth and prosperity.
