Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015

REGIONAL DISPARITIES

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015

Regional Disparities

Jordan Human Development Report 2015: Regional Disparities

Project Board Members

Mukhallad Omari, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Zena Ali Ahmad, UNDP-Jordan

Mohammad Nabulsi, Economic and Social Council

National Reviewers

Mukhallad Omari, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Basem Kanan, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Diya Elfadel, UNDP-Jordan

Zein Soufan, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Orouba Al-Sabbagh, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Raedah Frehat, Jordanian National Commission for Women

Junnara Murad, Development and Employment Fund

Ahmad Al-Qubelat, Department of Statistics

Maisoon Amarneh, Jordan Economic and Social Council

Osama Al-Salaheen, Ministry of Social Development

Reem Al-Zaben, Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development

Ali Al-Metleq, The Higher Population Council

Laith Al-Qasem

Abdelbaset Al-Thamnah, Department of Statistics

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 1 Jordan Human Development Report 2015: Regional Disparities

International reviewers

Selim Jahan, Director, Human Development Report Ofce Jon Hall, Policy Specialist, National Human Development Reports, UNDP

Consultants

Core Team of Writers Khalid W. Al-Wazani- Chief Researcher and Team Leader (Issnaad Consulting) Ahmad AL-Shoqran, Report Coordinator (Issnaad Consulting) Ibrahim Aljazy Alaa Bashaireh

Other Participating Experts

Fawaz Al-Momani Abdallah Ababneh

Abdelbaset Al-Thamnah Fairouz Aldahmour

Mohammad Bani Salameh Naser Abu Zayton

Hani Kurdi Mohammad Nassrat Salma Nims Survey Team

Naser Abu Zayton Taqwah Saleh Ebtisam Abdullah

Issnaad Consulting Management advisory services

Ahmad Hindawi Lara Khozouz Lana Mattar Taqwah Saleh

2 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Jordan Human Development Report 2015: Regional Disparities Jordan Human Development Report 2015: Regional Disparities

No. No. International reviewers Event Participants Organizations Selim Jahan, Director, Human Development Report Ofce Workshops Jon Hall, Policy Specialist, National Human Development Reports, UNDP Workshop on education and youth indicators at the provincial level, with a focus on Irbid province (Irbid) 25 10

Consultants Workshop on health issues at the provincial level, with a focus on Irbid 21 12 province (Irbid)

Core Team of Writers Workshop on women's issues at the provincial level, with a focus on Irbid 20 13 province (Irbid) Khalid W. Al-Wazani- Chief Researcher and Team Workshop on poverty and unemployment at the provincial level, with a 18 12 Leader (Issnaad Consulting) focus on Irbid province (Irbid) Ahmad AL-Shoqran, Report Coordinator (Issnaad Workshop on good governance, anti-corruption, the judicial system, 27 8 decentralization, and citizen participation (Irbid) Consulting) Workshop on education and youth indicators at the provincial level, with a 30 15 Ibrahim Aljazy focus on the capital province (Amman)

Alaa Bashaireh Workshop on health issues at the provincial level, with a focus on the 22 13 capital province (Amman) Other Participating Experts Workshop on women's issues at the provincial level, with a focus on the 25 12 capital province (Amman) Fawaz Al-Momani Abdallah Ababneh Workshop on poverty and unemployment at the provincial level, with a 27 15 Abdelbaset Al-Thamnah Fairouz Aldahmour focus on the capital province (Amman) Workshop on good governance, anti-corruption, the judicial system, 27 15 Mohammad Bani Salameh Naser Abu Zayton decentralization, and citizen participation (Amman)

Hani Kurdi Mohammad Nassrat Workshop on human rights and the rule of law at the country level, with a 24 5 focus on Ma'an province (Ma'an) Salma Nims Workshop on education and youth indicators at the provincial level, with a focus on Ma'an province (Ma'an) 23 4 Survey Team Workshop on health issues at the provincial level, with a focus on the 24 5 Ma'an province (Ma'an) Naser Abu Zayton Taqwah Saleh Workshop on women's issues at the provincial level, with a focus on the 25 7 Ebtisam Abdullah Ma'an province (Ma'an) Workshop on poverty and unemployment at the provincial level, with a Issnaad Consulting Management advisory services focus on Ma'an province (Ma'an) 25 6

Ahmad Hindawi Lara Khozouz Interviews Lana Mattar Mounther Al- Sharé - President of Economic and Social Council Taqwah Saleh Mosa Brezat- Head of National Centre for Human Rights Haifa Al-Najar- A member of Senate House Mazen Odeh- Secretary General/ Economic and Social Council Sawsan Al-Majali- Head of The Higher Population Council

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 3 Table of Content

Acronyms 11

Chapter One: Human Development Trends in Jordan 13

Introduction 15

Jordan’s HDI in a Regional Context 16

Large Disparities in Human Development Across Governorates 20

Inequality Limits Human Development Progress 24

Gender Dimensions of Human Development: The Gender Inequality Index 26

Gender Dimensions of Human Development: The Gender Development Index 27

The Multidimensional Poverty Index 29

Declining Poverty but Gaps Still Evident 30

Deep Poverty Pockets Are Still Present Across Governorates 34

Signifcant Improvements in Gender Disparities, But Gaps Remain 36

Disparities Across Governorates and Regions is a Threat to Progress 37

The Syrian Refugee Crisis has Aggravated Regional Disparities 40

In Conclusion: Much Progress, But Still a Long Way to Go 43

Remainder of the Report 44

Chapter Two: Education 45

Introduction 47

Jordan’s Educational Infrastructure 47

Jordan’s Education System 49

Knowledge-Based Education in Jordan 54

Educational and Regional Disparities 57

Public-Private Partnerships in Education: Funding Quality, and Disparities 60

4 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Chapter Three : Health 63

Introduction 65

Public-Private Partnerships in Health Services: Funding, Quality, and Disparities 68

Health Care and Human Development: Youth and Gender Dimensions 70

Regional Health Disparities in Jordan 71

Chapter Four: Employment and Livelihood 77

Introduction 79

The Role of MSMEs in Employment and Livelihood 81

Women’s Participation and Employment 84

Employment, Livelihood and Regional Disparities 86

Chapter Five: Youth 91

Introduction 93

Distribution of the Population by Age and Gender 93

Distribution of the Population by Age and Educational Level 94

Distribution of Youth (15-24 years old) by Educational Level and Region 96

Distribution of Jordanian Youth by Educational Level and Governorate 98

Distribution of Jordanian Youth by Educational Level and Economic Activity 102

Distribution of Working Youth Population by Educational Level and Specialization 103

Distribution of Youth by Educational Level and Geographical Location 106

Enabling Jordanian Youth to Participate in the Economic, Social, and Political Life 108

Youth and Poverty 110

Chapter Six: Women and Disparities 113

Introduction 115

Women in the Labor Market 115

Women in the Labor Market: Formal and Informal Discrimination 116

Women in a Socio-Economic and Political Context 119

Women and Regional Disparities 124

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 5 Chapter Seven: The Justice System and State Capacity 129

Introduction 131

The Judicial System: Independence and Transparency 131

Settling Disputes in Jordan 132

Description of the Judicial Authority’s Institutional Framework 134

Judicial Council 138

Courts in Jordan 138

Constitutional Court 142

Human Rights 142

Opportunities in Relation to the Judicial Authority’s Legislative and Institutional Framework 145

State Involvement 146

The Stability of Law 147

Access to Justice 147

Chapter Eight: Good Governance, Decentralization, and Participation 149

Introduction 151

Good Governance in Jordan: The International Context 151

Good Governance, Decentralization, Transparency, and Participation 155

Chapter Nine: Conclusions and Policy recommendations 159

Conclusions 161

Recommendations 164

Annexes 167

Annex (1) Chapter Nine Tabels 168

Annex (2) Survey Questionnaire 170

References 173

6 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Tables

Table (1-1): Table 1.1. HDI Values for Arab States, 2013 and 2014 17

Table (1-2): Jordan’s HDI dimensions in relation to other Arab States in the high human development group 18

Table (1-3): Jordan’s HDI and its Components, 1980-2014 19

Table (1-4): Life Expectancy Index by Governorate, 2014 22

Table (1-5): Income Index by Governorate, 2014 23

Table (1-6): Education Index by Governorate, 2014 23

Table (1-7): Governorate, 2014 24

Table (1-8): Jordan’s IHDI, 2013 and 2014 25

Table (1-9): Jordan’s GII and those of selected countries and groups, 2013 and 2014 26

Table (1-10): The GDI and its components: Jordan and selected countries and groups 28

Table (1-11): Multidimensional Poverty in Jordan, 2009 and 2012 30

Table (1-12): Annual Value of Abject, Non-food and Absolute Poverty Lines 2010 (JD) 30

Table (1-13): Poverty Rates by Governorate 31

Table (1-14): Poverty Rates in Districts and Poor Sub-Districts 35

Table (1-15): Population distribution and density by governorate, 2013 38

Table (1-16): Some characteristics of Syrian refugees and residents in Jordan (as of early 2014) 41

Table (1-17): Syrian Refugees: Distribution by location (as of early 2014) 42

Table (1-18): Syrian Refugees: Relative distribution by location 42

Table (2-1): Distribution of schools by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 48

Table (2-2): Distribution of schools by authority, education cycle and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 48

Table (2-3): Distribution of class units by authority, education cycle and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 49

Table (2-4): Distribution of kindergarten students by authority and gender, 2012-2013 49

Table (2-5): Distribution of students enrolled in basic education by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 50

Table (2-6): Distribution of dropouts and repeaters in basic education by grade and gender in Jordan, 2012- 51 2013

Table (2-7): Distribution of secondary education students by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 52

Table (2-8): Distribution of dropouts and repeaters in secondary education by grade and gender in Jordan, 52 2012-2013

Table (2-9): Distribution of vocational students by gender, 2011-2012 53

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 7 Table (2-10): Students enrolled at jordanian universities by degree and gender, 2012-2013 54

Table (2-11): Average number of students per class unit and per teacher by governorate, 2012-2013 60

Table (4-1): Labor market status of Jordanian population aged 15+ by gender and educational level (%), 2013 84

Table (4-2): Number of active establishments by governorate and employment size, 2011 88

Table (5-1): Distribution of the Jordanian population by age group and gender 93

Table (5-2): Distribution of the Jordanian population by educational level and gender 94

Table (5-3): Percentage Distribution of the Jordanian population by age, gender, and educational level 95

Table (5-4): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level, gender, and region 96

Table (5-5): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational qualifcation, gender, and governorate 98-99

Table (5-6): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and specialization 104

Table (5-7): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level, gender, and benefciaries of loans from the 109 development and employment Fund

Table (5-8): Summary of educational indicators for youth 110

Table (5-9): Distribution of Jordanian youth by poverty segments 111

Table (6-1): Unemployment rate by governorate and gender (2013) 117

Table (6-2): Economic activity rates by governorate and gender (2013) 118

Table (6-3): Educational level of the population in Jordan by gender (2013) 119

Table (6-4): Number of female students in academic and in vocational secondary education (2011-2012) 120

Table (6-5): TVET training courses by gender among youth aged 16-26 121

Table (6-6): Indicators Used in the Gender Regional Equality Index by gender and governorate, 2013 127

Table (8-1): Results on Good Governance and Anti-corruption 155

Table (8-2): Results on Decentralization 156

Table (8-3): Results on Rule of Law and the Judiciary System 157

Table (8-4): Results on Participation 157

8 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figures

Figure (1.1): Population Distribution by Age Groups 16

Figure (1-2): HDI Trends: 1985-2014 19

Figure (1- 3): HDI by Governorate, 2014 22

Figure (1-4): Poverty Gap by Governorate, 2010 32

Figure (1-5): Monetary Value of Poverty Gap by Governorate, 2010 (million JD) 32

Figure (1-6): Poverty Severity Index by Governorate, 2010 33

Figure (1-7): Poverty Trends from 2006 to 2010 33

Figure (1-8): Household average annual income by governorate, 2010 (JD) 38

Figure (1-9): Income Inequality (Gini Coefcient) by Governorate, 2010 39

Figure (1-10): Proportion of Households Below the Average of the QLI distribution by Governorate, 2010 40

Figure (2-1): Education Ladder 47

Figure (2-2): Distribution of of schools by governorate, 2012-2013. 57

Figure (2-3): Distance to primary and secondary school by governorate, 2010 58

Figure (2-4): Distribution of class units by governorate, 2012-2013. 59

Figure (2-5): Overcrowding in Classrooms in basic and secondary education by governorate, 2010 59

Figure (2-6): Key partners of the Jordanian education initiative 61

Figure (3-1): Household OOP spending by governorate and Country Average, 2010 (JD) 68

Figure (3- 2): Per Capita OOP payments by governorates, country average, and urban/rural areas, 2010 (JD) 69

Figure (3-3): Distance to maternity and childhood health Centers 71

Figure (3-4): Child Mortality Jordan, 2012 72

Figure (3-5): Health index by governorate 74

Figure (3-6): Quality of Life Index based on distance to public/military hospitals by governorate 75

Figure (3-7): Quality of Life Index based on distance to health centers by governorate 75

Figure (3-8): Smoking Index by Governorate 76

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 9 Figure (4-1): Distribution of Economic Establishments by governorate and company size (%) of total number of 87 establishments in each category

Figure (4-2): Numbers of MSMEs by Governorate 87

Figure (5-1) Gender and Age Structure, 2013 94

Figure (5-2): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and gender 95

Figure (5-3): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and region 97

Figure (5-4): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the southern governorates 100

Figure (5-5): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the northern governorates 100

Figure (5-6): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the central governorates 101

Figure (5-7): Distribution of Jordanian economically inactive youth by educational level 102

Figure (5-8): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and activity 103

Figure (5-9): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and specialization 105

Figure (5-10): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and urban/rural areas 106

Figure (5- 11): Distribution of Jordanian youth in urban areas by educational level 107

Figure (5-12): Distribution of Jordanian youth in rural areas by educational level 107

Figure (6-1): Average labor force participation rates in Jordan, the Southern Eastern and Mediterranean region 116 (SEMED), and in middle income countries

Figure (6-2): Females with elementary Elementary Education or less by age group 120

Figure (6-3): Domestic Violence by Governorate 123

Figure (6-4): Regional Gender Equality Index – Women’s Empowerment Map, 2013 126

Figure (8-1): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Voice & Accountability 152

Figure (8-2): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Political Stability and Absence of Violence 152

Figure (8-3): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Government Efectiveness 153

Figure (8-4): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Regulatory Quality 153

Figure (8-5): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Rule of Law 154

Figure (8-6): Jordan, 1996-2013, Aggregate Indicator: Control of Corruption 154

10 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Acronyms

AFR Adolescent Fertility Rate

CBN Cost of Basic Needs

CIP Civil Insurance Program

DOS Department of Statistics

ERFKE Education Reform for Knowledge Economy

EUS Employment and Unemployment Survey

GII Gender Inequality Index

GDI Gender Development Index

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GGI Gender Gap Index

GNI Gross National Income

GoJ Government of Jordan

HCAC Health Care Accreditation Council

HDI Human Development Index

HDR Human Development Report

HEIS Household Expenditure and Income Survey

IHDI Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index

IMF International Monetary Fund

JHCO Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization

JOD/JD Jordanian Dinar

JNCW Jordan National Commission for Women

MDGs Millennium Development Goals

MDI Multidimensional Index

MENA Middle East and North Africa

MMR Maternal Mortality Ratio

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 11 MoE Ministry of Education

MoH Ministry of Health

MoHESR Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifc Research

MoL Ministry of Labor

MoPIC Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

MSMEs Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

NES National Employment Strategy

PPP Purchasing Power Parity

PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy

PSD Police Service Department

QLI Quality of Life Index

SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises

SSC Social Security Corporation

TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training

VTC Vocational Training Corporation

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientifc, and Cultural Organization

UNHCR United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees

UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

WB World Bank

12 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

PATTERNS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 13 CHAPTER 1 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN JORDAN

14 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Introduction

The Human Development Index (HDI) emphasizes the fact that people and their In both 2013 and 2014, Jordan’s capabilities are the key criteria for evaluating HDI value outperformed the a country’s development progress. The HDI can be used to answer questions, such as average value for countries in “how is it that two countries with the same the high human development level of GNI per capita have diferent human group as well as the average for development outcomes”? Answers to these types of questions yield important analytical Arab countries. insights and can inform, and improve, government policies and priorities. Before drawing conclusions however, the full range of human development indicators has to be Arab States (25.4 percent), which indicates carefully analyzed in order to expose any that Jordan enjoys higher equality than socio-economic gaps between diferent other Arab States. regions or groups of people within a country. Based on available data, this National Human Categorized as an “upper-middle-income” Development Report (NHDR) will discuss country, Jordan’s HDI rank is fair and and analyze disparities in Jordan by region, reasonable, but there is still room for age, gender, and socio-economic status. improvement. The most recent Human While regional changes in the political and Development Report (2015) calculated an socio-economic context, particularly the HDI value of 0.745 for Jordan, which ranked Syrian crisis, have contributed to some of it as number 80 out of 188 countries. This Jordan’s disparities, this report identifes value placed Jordan in the high human more deep-rooted causes of inequality. development category. This HDI value is just above the average (0.744) for countries in Jordan’s population is very young; over the high human development category and 70 percent are under 30 years old, which signifcantly higher than the average (0.686) creates an opportunity for the country for Arab States. to beneft from its demography (Figure 1.1). The population is distributed among Another index, the Inequality-adjusted three main areas/regions: north, center, Human Development Index (IHDI), and south, each of which comprise four measures how a country’s achievements governorates. Each governorate has its are distributed among the population by own system of governance. 63 percent discounting the average for each dimension of the total population live in the four of the HDI according to its level of inequality. central governorates: Amman, Zarqa, The IHDI value is equal to the HDI value Balqa, and Madaba. 28 percent live in when a country has perfect equality, but the northern governorates: Irbid, Mafraq, falls below the HDI as inequality rises. Jarash, and Ajloun. Only nine percent of Thus, the IHDI measures the level of human Jordan’s population inhabit the southern development when inequality is taken into governorates: Aqaba, Ma’an, Karak, and account. Jordan’s IHDI value was 0.625 in Tafla. The center region takes up 16.2 2014, which means that the average loss in percent of Jordan’s total area, the northern HDI due to inequality was 16.5 percent. This region 32.6 percent, and the southern region is considerably lower than the average for 51.2 percent.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 15 Figure (1.1): Population Distribution by Age Groups

The Opportunity of a Young Population

Population breakdown by age group, Population breakdown by age group, 2012 2035

Male 80+ 80+ Female 75-79 75-79 70-74 70-74 65-69 65-69 60-64 60-64 54-59 54-59 50-54 50-54 45-49 45-49 40-44 40-44 35-39 35-39 30-34 30-34 20-24 20-24 25-29 25-29 15-19 15-19 10-14 10-14 5-9 5-9 0-4 0-4

Source: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2015a

The 2013 and 2014 HDIs were calculated Jordan’s HDI in a Regional for 19 Arab countries1 and Jordan ranked Context among the top 10. In 2013, Jordan ranked number 9 and in 2014, it ranked number 8. Jordan ranked number 77 on the HDI in 2013 In both years, Qatar was the highest ranking with a value of 0.745. Even though the HDI Arab country (HDI values of 0.851 and 0.850 value had increased by 0.003 points in 2014, respectively). There were six other Arab its global ranking fell to 80, which indicates countries that ranked higher than Jordan that several countries have been more in both years: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab efective in its eforts to promote human Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Libya 2 development. In both years, Jordan was (2013) . In 2014, Lebanon also scored higher categorized as a high human development than Jordan. (Table 1.1) country (HDI values from 0.700 to 0.799).

16 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (1-1): HDI Values for Arab States, 2013 and 2014

Country HDI Global HDI Arab States HDI Global HDI Arab States Value Rank Rank Value Rank Rank HDI 2013 HDI 2014 Algeria 0.717 95 11 0.736 83 9 Bahrain 0.815 44 4 0.824 45 4 Djibouti 0.467 170 19 0.470 168 19 Egypt 0.682 110 13 0.690 108 12 Iraq 0.642 120 15 0.654 121 14 Jordan 0.745 77 9 0.748 80 8 Kuwait 0.814 46 5 0.816 48 5 Lebanon 0.765 65 8 0.769 67 7 Libya 0.784 55 6 0.724 94 10 Morocco 0.617 129 16 0.628 126 15 Oman 0.783 56 7 0.793 52 6 Qatar 0.851 31 1 0.850 32 1 Saudi Arabia 0.836 34 2 0.837 39 2 State of Palestine 0.686 107 12 0.677 113 13 Sudan 0.473 166 18 0.479 167 18 Syrian Arab Republic 0.658 118 14 0.594 134 16

Tunisia 0.721 90 10 0.721 96 11 United Arab Emirates 0.827 40 3 0.835 41 3 Yemen 0.500 154 17 0.498 160 17 Sources: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

Even though Jordan’s global ranking fell 0.686 respectively). However, Jordan’s HDI from 2013 to 2014, its HDI values were value was lower than that of two other Arab higher than the average for countries in countries in the high human development the high human development category group (Libya and Oman in 2013; and Oman (0.735 and 0.744 respectively), as well as and Lebanon in 2014). (Table 1.2). the average for Arab countries (0.682 and

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 17 Table (1-2): Jordan’s HDI dimensions in relation to other Arab States in the high human development group

HDI HDI Expected Years Mean Years Country Life Expectancy GNI per capita Value Rank at Birth (Years) of Schooling of schooling (2014, 2011 PPP US$) (2014) (2014) (2014)

HDI 2014

Jordan 0.748 80 74.0 13.5 9.9 11,365 Oman 0.793 51 76.8 13.6 8.0 34,858 Libya 0.724 94 71.6 14.0 7.3 14,911 Lebanon 0.769 67 79.3 13.8 7.9 16,509 Tunisia 0.721 96 74.8 14.6 6.8 10,404 Algeria 0.736 83 74.8 14.0 7.6 13,054 High HDI category 0.744 - 75.1 13.6 8.2 13,961 All Arab Countries 0.686 - 70.6 12.0 6.4 15,722 HDI HDI Expected Years Mean Years Country Life Expectancy GNI per capita Value Rank at Birth (Years) of Schooling of schooling (2014, 2011 PPP US$) (2013) (2012) (2014)

HDI 2013

Jordan 0.745 77 73.9 13.3 9.9 11,337 Oman 0.783 56 76.7 13.6 6.8 42,191 Libya 0.784 55 75.3 16.1 7.5 21,666 Lebanon 0.765 65 80 13.2 7.9 16,263 Tunisia 0.721 90 75.9 14.6 6.5 10,440 Algeria 0.717 95 71 14 7.6 12,555 High HDI category 0.735 - 74.5 13.4 8.1 13,231 All Arab Countries 0.682 - 70.2 11.8 6.3 15,817

Note: “*” most recent available year Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

The HDI value and the rank of a country are expectancy at birth was approximately the based on the HDI indicators. The diferent same as for all countries in the high HDI indicators of the HDI are presented in Table category and higher than those of the Arab 1.2, which enables a comparison between countries in this group. This observation also all Arab countries in the high human holds true for expected years of schooling; development category. For example, in Jordan’s mean years of schooling exceed 2013, the life expectancy at birth was 80 both the average for all countries globally years in Lebanon, 73.9 years in Jordan, and and for Arab countries in the HDI category. 70.2 years in all Arab countries on average. Based on this data, it seems that Jordan’s per Furthermore, Jordan had the second lowest capita GNI best explains its comparatively per capita GNI (PPP US$) in both 2013 and low HDI ranking among the high human 2014; in both years, its GNI per capita was development countries. lower than the average for Arab countries and all countries globally in the high Jordan’s HDI value has changed over the HDI category. On the other hand, the life years. It rose signifcantly from 0.587 in

18 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 1980 to 0.744 in 2010, remained at the same annually. However, the growth of its HDI that value in 2011, and then rose slowly again to Jordan experienced during the last three 0.748 in 2014 (Figure 1.2). This represents an decades has come to an end, which should increase of 27.4 percent, or about 0.8 percent be a priority concern for policy makers.

Figure (1-2): HDI Trends: 1985-2014

0.740

0.720

0.700

0.680

0.660

0.640 0.620

0.600 0.580 1980 1985 1990 2000 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 HDI Rank

Source: Based on data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

Jordan’s performance in the three HDI indicators from 1980 to 2014 is presented in Table 1.3.

Table (1-3): Jordan’s HDI and its Components, 1980-2014

Life Expectancy at Expected Years of Mean Years of GNI per capita Year HDI Value Birth (Years ) Schooling (Years) Schooling (Years) (2011 PPP US$)

1980 0.587 66.2 11.9 3.1 7,828 1985 0.616 68.3 12 4 8,678 1990 0.622 69.9 11.7 5.1 6,655 1995 0.688 70.9 12.1 9.3 7,205 2000 0.705 71.7 12.7 9.5 7,776 2005 0.733 72.6 13.8 9.7 9,497 2010 0.744 73.4 13.4 9.9 11,208 2011 0.744 73.6 13.3 9.9 11,222 2012 0.744 73.7 13.3 9.9 11,232 2013 0.745 73.9 13.3 9.9 11,337 2014 0.748 74.0 13.5 9.9 11,365

Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2015

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 19 Jordan’s life expectancy at birth increased by 7.8 years from 1980 to 2014; that is, from Large Disparities in Human 66.2 years to 74.0 years. Averaged over the Development Across entire 34 years, this amounts to an annual increase of 0.23 years, which is more or less Governorates the norm for countries at Jordan’s level of development. The rise in life expectancy at Tracking disparities is a difcult task given birth refects improvements in the quality the scarcity of data on education indicators of healthcare, public health facilities, by governorate. Data on expected years, and nutrition, sanitation, clean drinking water, mean years, of schooling is not available. and the decline in infant mortality. Expected Consequently, data on the gross enrollment years of schooling rose by 1.6 years, while ratio and the adult literacy rate was used as the mean years of schooling increased substitute for the computation of the HDI for by 6.8 years, refecting improvements in 2009 and prior. The income index is based access to education. GNI per capita grew on per capita income for 2014 in PPP dollars. by 44.8 percent during the same time Data on life expectancy at birth across and is an indication of the extent to which governorates is available and a standard employment opportunities and decent jobs methodology is used to calculate the life have been created in the economy. expectancy index. Box 1.1 explains the HDI methodology in detail.

Box (1.1): How the Human Development Index was calculated for the twelve Governorates

Once the minimum and maximum values for each indicator of the HDI have been identifed, the dimension indices are calculated as: actual value-minimum value Dimension index = maximum value-minimum value Life Expectancy Index

Data for the minimum and maximum life expectancy at birth comes from life tables, which are available by governorate. The latest life tables published in 2014 have been used.

No standard minimum and maximum values for life expectancy was used to calculate the life expectancy index. Instead, the minimum and maximum value for each governorate were used as the goal posts for a specifc governorate.

Education Index Data on the mean and expected years of schooling are not available by governorate; gross enrollment ratio and adult (15 years and over) literacy rates were used instead. Because of the scarcity of data for 2014, data from 2011 has been used. No signifcant changes in the literary rates are expected to have taken place between these years. The goal posts for minimum and maximum values for both indicators are 0 and 100 respectively. Two-thirds weight was allocated to adult literacy rate and one-third to gross enrollment ratio. Income Index Because of the unavailability of per capita income data by governorate, the following procedure was adopted: 1. Calculate average per capita income for the year 2010 by governorate from the household income and expenditure survey (2010 was the latest issued HEIS) 2. Update per capita income from step 1 using the compound annual growth rate of infation for the previous fve years (2010-2014) 3. Set minimum and maximum values of per capita income across governorates to 100 and 40,000 JD respectively. To calculate the per capita income in PPP US dollars, a multiplying factor of 3.88216 was used. The Income Index is then calculated using the logarithm of the actual values: log (GDP) - log (100)

log (4000) - log (100) Human Development Index Life Expectancy Index+Education Index +Income Index HDI = 3

20 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 The Life Expectancy Index: Based on data The GNI Index: This index measures the from life tables, the minimum value ranges standard of living, or the actual command from 22.86 years in Tafla to 24.2 years in over resources, in a given area. Because Ajlune and Balqa. The maximum attainable of the lack of data on the GNI at the life expectancy varies from 82 years in Tafla governorate level, the same methodology to 86 years in Ajlune and Balqa. The actual and data used in Jordan’s 2011 National life expectancy was lowest in Tafla, at 72 Human Development Report has been used years, and highest in Ajlun, at 75.3 years. An for this report; that is, the average per capita important reason for life expectancy gaps, income by governorate generated from the both maximum attainable and actual, is 2010 Household Income and Expenditure disparities in the quality of healthcare, and Survey (HIES), adjusted to the average rate of to some extent access to healthcare, across infation from 2010 to 2014. The maximum governorates. and minimum income per governorate were also derived from this survey and adjusted The Education Index: As noted above, the to infation. The main purpose of the data required to calculate this dimension is adjustment is to refect nominal income in not available by governorate. Instead, the 2014 instead of nominal income in 2010. The ratio of adult literacy (age 15 and above) average per capita income in PPP dollars was and the gross enrollment ratio for basic calculated by multiplying income per person and secondary education have been used. by the “PPP US dollar factor” for Jordan. The ratio of adult literacy was calculated Finally, the income index was calculated by using the illiteracy rate (100 minus illiteracy using the standard methodology used to rate), while gross enrollment represents the calculate the GNI on a national level, that is, total number of students enrolled in basic the methodology employed by the Global and secondary education compared to the Human Development Report. The GNI index total number of youth aged 6-18 years. The is highest for Amman (0.741) and lowest education index is a weighted average of for Mafraq (0.651), refecting the highest the adult literacy index (two-thirds) and the and lowest per capita income in these two gross enrollment index (one-third). governorates. The GNI index varies for the other governorates, from 0.664 in Ma’an to Based on these equations, the education 0.690 in Karak. index value is lowest in Ma’an, Tafla, and Karak: 0.580, 0.592, and 0.593 respectively. The HDI is then calculated by taking the This could be attributed to the high illiteracy mean of the three dimensional indices rate in these three governorates which, in which, therefore, presents average turn, is a function of lack of access to high achievements in the three dimensions of quality educational facilities. The value is human development. In 2014, Amman had highest in Mafraq, Amman, and Zarqa: 0.635, the highest HDI value (0.741) and Ma’an the 0.633, and 0.626 respectively. These results lowest (0.683). With an HDI value of 0.703, suggest that government programmes Zarqa ranks second among the twelve need to target governorates that are at the governorates, while Irbid (0.700) ranks third. bottom of the education index, particularly (Figure 1.3, Tables 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7) those with low gross enrollment rates and high adult illiteracy rates.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 21 Figure (1- 3): HDI by Governorate, 2014

0.740 0.730 0.720 0.710 0.700 0.690 0.680 0.670 0.660 0.650

Irbid Ajlun Balqa Zarqa Jarash Karak Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Jordan Amman Madaba Mafraq

Table (1-4): Life Expectancy Index by Governorate, 2014

Governorate Minimum Maximum Actual LE Index

Amman 23.86 85 74.4 0.827 Balqa 24.2 86 75.3 0.827 Zarqa 23.97 85 74.7 0.831 Madaba 22.96 83 72.2 0.827 Irbid 23.86 85 74.4 0.827 Mafraq 23.41 84 73.3 0.823 Jarash 23.75 84 74.1 0.836 Ajlun 24.2 86 75.3 0.827 Karak 23.63 84 73.9 0.833 Taflea 22.86 82 72 0.831 Ma’an 23.29 84 73 0.826 Aqaba 23.18 83 72.7 0.828 Jordan 23.86 86 74.4 0.820 Source: Information from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

22 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (1-5): Income Index by Governorate, 2014

Minimum per Maximum per Governorate PPP US$ capita income, US$ capita income US$ Income Index 2014 2014 Amman 8,466.3 100.0 40,000.0 0.741 Balqa 5,404.8 100.0 40,000.0 0.666 Zarqa 5,468.7 100.0 40,000.0 0.668 Madaba 5,078.1 100.0 40,000.0 0.656 Irbid 5,706.3 100.0 40,000.0 0.675 Mafraq 4,956.7 100.0 40,000.0 0.651 Jarash 5,526.6 100.0 40,000.0 0.670 Ajlun 5,191.2 100.0 40,000.0 0.659 Karak 6,247.1 100.0 40,000.0 0.690 Taflea 5,622.8 100.0 40,000.0 0.673 Ma’an 5,354.4 100.0 40,000.0 0.664 Aqaba 5,487.9 100.0 40,000.0 0.668 Jordan 6,655.2 100.0 40,000.0 0.701

Source: Information from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Table (1-6): Education Index by Governorate, 2014

Gross Enrollment Gross Enrollment Adult Literacy Governorate Ratio Index Index Education Index Amman 0.77 0.00769 0.946 0.633 Balqa 0.72 0.00720 0.902 0.604 Zarqa 0.70 0.00701 0.935 0.626 Madaba 0.80 0.00799 0.908 0.608 Irbid 0.76 0.00764 0.920 0.616 Mafraq 0.97 0.00966 0.948 0.635 Jarash 0.69 0.00685 0.906 0.606 Ajlun 0.71 0.00706 0.902 0.604

Karak 0.76 0.00758 0.885 0.593 Taflea 0.72 0.00717 0.884 0.592 Ma’an 0.72 0.00724 0.866 0.580

Aqaba 0.68 0.00684 0.903 0.604 Jordan 0.76 0.00755 0.923 0.618

Source: Information from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 23 Table (1-7): Governorate, 2014

Governorate Life expectancy index Education index GNI index HDI Value Amman 0.827 0.633 0.741 0.729 Balqa 0.827 0.604 0.666 0.693 Zarqa 0.831 0.626 0.668 0.703 Madaba 0.827 0.608 0.656 0.691 Irbid 0.827 0.616 0.675 0.700 Mafraq 0.823 0.635 0.651 0.698 Jarash 0.836 0.606 0.670 0.697 Ajlun 0.827 0.604 0.659 0.690 Karak 0.833 0.593 0.690 0.698 Tafela 0.831 0.592 0.673 0.692 Ma'an 0.826 0.580 0.664 0.683 Aqaba 0.828 0.604 0.668 0.694 Jordan 0.820 0.618 0.701 0.708

Source: Information from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

Inequality Limits Human Jordan’s Human Inequality Development Progress coefcient, which measures

This IHDI takes inequality in the three loss caused by inequality across dimensions of the HDI into consideration the three human development by “discounting” each dimension’s average dimensions, declined from 18.5 value according to its level of inequality. The diference between the HDI and the IHDI in 2013 to 16.4 in 2014. The can be expressed in percentage terms as an average value for Arab countries overall loss, or as the coefcient, of human was above 24 in both years. inequality. Because there are only three dimensions, the diference between the two (overall loss and coefcient of human inequality) is small. 20.8 percent both years. When comparing Adjusting for inequality led to a decline in the Jordan to the average for all Arab countries value of Jordan’s HDI for both 2013 and 2014. for which data is available (19), its numbers The loss in 2013 was 18.6 percent but fell to stand out even more. In both 2013 and 16.5 percent in the following year (Table 2014, the average human development loss 1.8). The coefcient for human inequality caused by inequality was approximately is almost exactly the same – 18.5 and 16.4, 25 percent for the 19 Arab countries and respectively. The loss in human development around 19.5 percent for all countries in the is higher in Lebanon, another Arab country high human development category. in the high human development group;

24 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 In Jordan, the 2013 inequality loss in the points lower in Jordan than in Lebanon. So education dimension (22.4 percent) was while the HDI was higher in Lebanon than larger than for both of the other two in Jordan in 2014, Lebanon had higher dimensions. In 2014, the loss was largest for inequality – to such an extent that Jordan’s the income dimension (20.5 percent), which IHDI (0.625) exceeded Lebanon’s (0.609). had declined slightly from the previous year (21.1 percent). In both years, the loss Analyzing the average for all 19 Arab caused by inequality was smallest for the countries for which data is available, the loss life expectancy dimension (11.9 percent in two of the three human development both years). Lebanon’s loss was also lowest dimensions is larger than Jordan’s. The loss for the life expectancy dimension, but was in life expectancy at birth and education even lower than Jordan’s (6.7 percent in was over 17 and 38 percent in 2013 and both years). Jordan’s loss caused by income 2014 respectively. On the other hand, the inequality was 21.1 percent in 2013, but level of income inequality is higher in Jordan fell to 20.5 percent in 2014. The coefcient than the average for all Arab countries (over of human inequality is about 4 percentage 20 percent compared to over 17 percent for both years) (Table 1.8).

Table (1-8): Jordan’s IHDI, 2013 and 2014

IHDI Overall Coefcient of Inequality in life Inequality in Inequality in income Value Loss (%) Human expectancy (%) education (%) (%) Inequality (%)

2014

Jordan 0.625 16.5 16.4 11.9 16.9 20.5 Lebanon 0.609 20.8 20.2 6.7 24.1 30.0 High HDI category 0.600 19.4 19.0 10.7 16.8 29.4 Arab Countries 0.512 25.4 24.7 17.4 38.9 17.7

2013

Jordan 0.607 18.6 18.5 11.9 22.4 21.1 Lebanon 0.606 20.8 20.3 6.7 24.1 30 High HDI category 0.590 19.7 19.3 10.7 17.4 29.9 Arab Countries 0.512 24.9 24.2 17.4 38 17.3 Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 25 Jordan’s GII declined slightly from 0.488 in Gender Dimensions of 2013 to 0.473 in 2014. This is true for Libya, Human Development: The Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia as well who also experienced increased gender equality. Gender Inequality Index The decline was steep in Oman, falling from 0.348 to 0.275 (Table 1.9). Of the fve The Gender Inequality Index (GII) measures countries presented in the table, the GII was gender inequality in three dimensions of highest in Jordan and lowest in Libya in both human development: reproductive health, 2013 and 2014. Evidently, when compared empowerment, and economic status. It to the other four Arab countries in the table, shows the human development costs of Jordan needs to do a lot more to strengthen gender inequality in these three dimensions. gender equality in the country. The value of the GII ranges between 0 and 1, where 0 represents full gender equality and 1 represents full gender inequality. Thus, lower GII values indicate less inequality between the genders, and vice versa.

Table (1-9): Jordan’s GII and those of selected countries and groups, 2013 and 2014

Adolescent GII GII Maternal birth rate Female share Population with at Labor Force Mortality (births per of Seats in Least Secondary Participation value Rank 1,000 women ratio ages 15-19) Parliament (%) Education (%) Rate (%) Female Male Female Male 2014

Jordan 0.473 102 50 26.5 11.6 69.5 78.5 15.6 66.6 Libya 0.134 27 15 2.5 16.0 55.5 41.9 30.0 76.4 Oman 0.275 53 11 10.6 9.6 47.2 57.1 29.0 82.6 Lebanon 0.385 78 16 12.0 3.1 53.0 55.4 23.3 70.9 Tunisia 0.240 48 46 4.6 31.3 32.8 46.1 25.1 70.9 High HDI category 0.310 - 41 28.8 20.6 60.6 69.5 57.0 77.2 Arab Countries 0.537 - 155 45.4 14.0 34.7 47.6 23.2 75.3

2013

Jordan 0.488 101 63 26.5 12 69.5 78.5 15.3 66.2 Libya 0.215 40 58 2.5 16.5 55.6 44 30 76.4 Oman 0.348 64 32 10.6 9.6 47.2 57.1 28.6 81.8 Lebanon 0.413 80 25 12 3.1 38.8 38.9 22.8 70.5 Tunisia 0.265 48 56 4.6 26.7 32.8 46.1 25.1 70.6 High HDI category 0.315 - 42 26.4 18.8 50.2 69.1 57 77.1 Arab Countries 0.545 - 164 43.9 13.8 33.9 46.7 24.7 73.2

Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

26 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Looking at all countries in the high HDI In terms of secondary education by gender, group, the average GII was 0.310 in 2013 the rate was somewhat higher for males and 0.315 in 2014, which is much lower than across all countries in 2104 – by an average Jordan’s GII for the same years. On the other of around 4.2 percent in Oman, Lebanon and hand, Jordan performs signifcantly better Tunisia, and 9 percentage points in Jordan when compared to all 19 Arab countries for in favor of males. Interestingly, there is a which data is available. The average value of reverse gender gap in Libya: 13.6 percentage the GII for these 19 Arab countries in 2013 points more females have at least secondary was 0.537, which was signifcantly higher education than males. than Jordan’s (0.473). The largest gender gap is in labor force Inequality across the three dimensions of the participation rates. For Jordan, Libya, GII – reproductive health, empowerment, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia, the average and economic status – varies. In regards to participation rate for working-age females the health dimension, the maternal mortality (ages 15 and older) was 24.6 percent ratio (women who died from pregnancy compared to 73.5 percent for males in 2014. related causes) fell from 63 per 100,000 in Jordan has the lowest female labor force 2013 to 50 per 100,000 in 2014, while the participation rate (15.6 percent) and Tunisia adolescent birth rate remained unchanged the highest (25.1 percent). Jordan also has at 26.5. In terms of empowerment, the the lowest male labor force participation rate female share of parliamentary seats fell (66.6 percent); Oman has the highest (82.6 slightly (from 12.0 to 11.6 percent), while percent). Averaged across all Arab countries, the share of females and males with at least the 2014 female labor force participation secondary education stayed the same for rate was 23.2 percent, compared to 75.3 both years; however, the proportion of males percent for males. was 9 percentage points higher. There was a marginal rise in labor force participation rates for both genders in 2014, but the male Gender Dimensions of rate was 4.3 times larger than the female rate Human Development: The (15.6 percent compared to 66.6 percent in 2014 and essentially the same in 2013). Gender Development Index

The maternal mortality ratio is higher in The Gender Development Index (GDI) Jordan than in Libya, Oman, Lebanon, and measures gender inequality in three basic Tunisia: 50, compared to Tunisia’s second dimensions of human development: health, highest ratio of 46 in 2014. The adolescent measured by female and male life expectancy birth rate is signifcantly higher in Jordan at birth; education, measured by female than in these four countries: 26.5, compared and male expected years of schooling, and to Lebanon’s second highest rate of 12.0 in female and male mean years of schooling; 2014. Jordan performs much better when it and standard of living, measured by female comes to females’ share of seats in parliament; and male estimated earned income. In efect, of the fve Arab countries in the table, it has the GDI is the female HDI as a percentage of the third largest female share (11.6 percent), the male HDI. with Tunisia topping the list (31.3 percent).

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 27 Male 18,831 22,392 25,391 16.159 17.443 24.985 19,459 32,678 25,038 16,226 16,966 23,169 3,587 7,427 7,334 4,748 5,686 2,875 7,199 4,751 9,426 6,991 GNI per capita Female 10,407 10,649 (2011 PPP US$) 7.0 8.2 7.8 8.5 6.9 7.5 8.2 7.5 8.5 6.7 10.5 10.4 Male 9.3 7.7 7.6 5.9 7.7 4.9 9.4 7.5 7.6 5.5 7.5 4.9 Female Mean Years of Years Mean schooling (Years) 14 13.3 13.8 13.9 14.0 13.4 12.3 13.1 15.9 13.3 13.1 12.8 Male 13 15 13.7 14.3 13.6 15.0 13.8 11.6 13.5 16.4 13.4 12.1 Female Expected Years Expected of Schooling (Years) of Schooling (Years) Male 72.4 68.9 77.6 72.5 72.8 68.8 72.3 73.5 78.1 73.6 72.3 68.4 75.8 74.6 81.3 77.3 77.4 72.7 75.6 77.3 82.3 78.3 76.8 72.2 Female at Birth (Years) Birthat (Years) Life ExpectancyLife - - - - 5 2 5 5 93 130 110 116 GDI Rank 0.9 HDI 0.950 0.899 0.894 0.954 0.849 0.931 0.891 0.946 0.866 0.860 0.842 to male to of female of female GDI: Ratio Male 0.736 0.800 0.751 0.759 0.719 0.805 0.794 0.751 0.750 0.722 0.784 0.781 Index Human Development 0.674 0.699 0.718 0.671 0.724 0.611 0.658 0.749 0.715 0.669 0.710 0.626 Female category 2014 2013 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015 The ranking scheme for 2014 is dierentf from that for 2013. In 2013, countries were grouped based on the value Table (1-10): The GDI and its components: Jordan and selected countries and groups and selected Jordan countries GDI and its components: The (1-10): Table Note: Note: of the GDI; in 2014, countries were divided into f ve groups by absolute deviation from gender parity in HDI values. Source: Jordan Jordan Libya Lebanon Tunisia HDI High States Jordan Libya Lebanon Tunisia category HDI High States

28 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Jordan’s female HDI was 0.674 in 2014 and poor sanitation, and low quality of drinking 0.658 in 2013; the male HDI was 0.784 and water. The concept of multi-dimensional 0.781 respectively. The ratio of the female- poverty represents an attempt to capture to-male HDI yields a GDI of 0.860 in 2014 some of these “broader aspects of poverty.”4 and 0.842 in 2013, which is a positive The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) development towards increased gender identifes multiple deprivations at the equality across the three dimensions of household and individual level in health, human development. Jordan’s 2014 GDI education, and standard of living.5 It uses ranked it 130 out of 187 countries. The micro data from household surveys, and— ranking methodology for 2014 was diferent unlike the Inequality-adjusted Human than previous years. Countries were divided Development Index—all the indicators into fve groups based on the absolute needed to construct the measure must come deviation from gender parity in HDI values, from the same survey. Each person in a given with larger deviations indicating larger household is classifed as poor or non-poor inequality and vice versa.3 Countries with depending on the number of deprivations the largest deviations fell into group 5, and his or her household experiences. This data is those with the smallest into group 1. This then aggregated into a national measure of methodology places Jordan in group 5 poverty. The MPI refects both the prevalence (Table 1.10). of multidimensional deprivation, and its intensity—how many deprivations people For the four Arab countries included in the experience at the same time. It can be used table, the average female and male HDI to create a comprehensive picture of people were 0.691 and 0.768 in 2014, and 0.698 and living in poverty, and permits comparisons 0.783 in 2013. The GDI was 0.901 in 2014 both across countries and regions, as well and 0.891 in 2013; higher than Jordan’s GDI as between ethnic groups, urban and in both years. The average GDI for all Arab rural areas, or other key household and countries fell from 0.866 in 2013 to 0.849 community characteristics within countries. in 2014. On the contrary, the average GDI The MPI ofers a valuable complement to for all countries globally in the high human income-based poverty measures. development group rose slightly from 0.946 in 2013 to 0.954 in 2014; both values are Jordan’s MPI has remained unchanged at higher than Jordan’s. This data shows that 0.004 between 2009 and 2012 (Table 1.11), but gender inequality is higher in Jordan than the relative contributions of the education, in the three other Arab countries in Table health, and standard of living dimensions 1.10, higher than the average value of all have changed. While health represented Arab countries, and higher than the average 56.3 percent of multidimensional poverty in value of all countries in the high human 2009, this proportion grew to 65.0 percent development group. This should be a major in 2012. On the other hand, the relative policy concern for the Jordanian authorities. importance of both education and standard of living has declined: the former from 33.7 percent to 31.5 percent, and the latter from The Multidimensional 10.0 percent to 3.5 percent.

Poverty Index While the headcount of people living in multidimensional poverty increased slightly Most measurements of poverty are (from 1.0 percent to 1.2 percent), the intensity based on income or consumption. These of deprivation fell by about 1.5 percentage metrics reveal an important dimension of points. The share of the population living deprivations but still provide an incomplete near multidimensional poverty dropped picture as people can be deprived in ways sharply (from 4.1 percent to 1.0 percent), but that are unrelated to income. For example, the very small proportion living in severe they may sufer from low education and poverty remained unchanged at 0.1 percent. few skills, poor health, low nutrition intake,

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 29 Table (1-11): Multidimensional Poverty in Jordan, 2009 and 2012

Contribution to overall Population Share Survey MPI Headcount Intensity of poverty of deprivations (%) (Year) Value (%) deprivations Near In Living (%) Multidimensional Severe Health Education Poverty Poverty Standards Jordan 2014 2012 0.004 1.2 35.3 1.0 0.1 65.0 31.5 3.5 Jordan 2013 2009 0.004 1.0 36.8 4.1 0.1 56.3 33.7 10.0 Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014a, 2015

the absolute minimum level of consumption Declining Poverty but Gaps needed to meet basic needs. A ‘cost-of-basic- Still Evident needs’ (CBN) approach was used to estimate Jordan’s poverty line. Jordan defnes poverty as the inability of The Jordan’s absolute poverty line is the individuals to meet the minimum basic minimum expenditure required by an needs that ensure a decent life.6 Basic needs individual to fulfll his or her basic food and include food, clothing, housing, health care, non-food needs. In 2010, the annual poverty education, and transportation. All these line was estimated at 813.7 JD per individual. needs are essential for peoples’ survival, to Individuals and households are classifed as protect their human dignity, and to enable poor if their spending is below the poverty them to engage in daily activities. line, while individuals and households who Poverty measurements in Jordan rely on spend more than, or have an income that is poverty lines based on the expenditure higher than or equal to, the poverty line are basket from the 2010 Household Expenditure classifed as non-poor. The abject, non-food, and Income Survey (HEIS), with adjustments and absolute poverty lines are given in Table for price changes in subsequent years. As 1.12. elsewhere, the poverty line should refect

Table (1-12): Annual Value of Abject, Non-food and Absolute Poverty Lines 2010 (JD)

Poverty Line Abject Poverty Line Non-Food Poverty Line Absolute Poverty Line 336 478 814 Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

The Headcount Index metric of the Jordan’s population was poor in 2010. poverty rate measures the proportion of Across governorates, poverty rates vary the population that is poor, e.g. who live based on population size and the minimum below the absolute poverty line. Based requirements necessary to fulfll the basic on the HEIS 2010 data, 14.4 percent of needs (Table 1.13).

30 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (1-13): Poverty Rates by Governorate

Poverty rate (%) Share of poor people No. of poor No. of poor (%) individuals Households

Amman 11.4 30.6 268,545 36,892 Balqaa 20.9 9.7 85,494 12,169 Zarqa 14.1 14.6 128,055 17,866 Madaba 15.1 2.7 23,347 2,704 Irbid 15.0 18.7 163,933 22,381 Mafraq 19.2 6.2 54,570 6,994 Jerash 20.3 1.4 11,998 1,786 Ajloun 25.6 4.3 37,752 5,232 Karak 13.4 3.6 31,582 3,900 Tafla 17.2 1.6 14,244 1,772 Ma’an 26.6 3.5 30,966 3,882 Aqaba 19.2 3.0 26,104 3,417 Jordan 14.4 100 876,590 118,995 Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

Based on this data, the poverty rate was lowest in Amman and Karak, at 11.4 percent The lowest poverty rates are and 13.4 percent respectively. The poverty observed in Amman and rate was highest in Ma’an (26.6 percent) and Ajloun (25.6 percent). 30.6 percent of poor Karak, where 11.4 percent people live in Amman, the governorate with and 13.4 percent of the the largest proportion of the population, and population, respectively, 18.7 percent live in Irbid. That is, almost half of all poor people in Jordan live in Amman are poor; they subsist below and Irbid. the national poverty line. In Another poverty measure is the poverty contrast, the highest poverty gap metric, which estimates the “depth” of rates are found in Ma’an (25.5 poverty; that is, how far, on average, the poor percent) and Ajloun (25.6 are from the poverty line. Using this metric, the poverty gap refects the monetary gap percent). needed to move the poor from their position below the poverty line up to the poverty line itself. At the national level, Jordan’s 1.2 percent and 2.7 percent respectively. In poverty gap was 3.6 percent in 2010. On monetary terms, the amount needed to fll the governorate level, Ma’an recorded the the poverty gap in 2010 was 176.8 million highest poverty gap of 8.3 percent, followed JD. Figures 1.4 and 1.5 show the poverty gap by Ajloun with 6.3 percent. The lowest and the monetary value of the poverty gap poverty gaps are in Jerash and Amman with by governorate (in JD) respectively.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 31 Figure (1-4): Poverty Gap by Governorate, 2010

8.3 5.9 5.6 6.3 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.5 4.3 3.6 2.7 1.2

Balqa Zarqa Irbid Ajlun Karak Mafraq Jarash Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Kingdom

Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

Figure (1-5): Monetary Value of Poverty Gap by Governorate, 2010 (million JD)

176.8

51.4 32.2 19.7 24.8 12.9 7.5 7.8 4.7 1.7 7 2.3 4.8

Balqa Zarqa Irbid Ajlun Karak Mafraq Jarash Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Kingdom

Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

The poverty severity index, which measures percent in 2010. By governorate, Jerash had the extent of variation in the degree of the smallest variation among the poor with poverty among the poor themselves, is a poverty severity rate of 0.27 percent, while calculated as the arithmetic mean of the Ma’an recorded the highest variation with a square of poverty gaps.7 Higher values poverty severity rate of 3.36 percent. Figure of this metric indicate greater inequality 1.6 shows the variation of poverty severity among the poor, and vice versa. Jordan’s across governorates. national poverty severity index reached 1.21

32 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (1-6): Poverty Severity Index by Governorate, 2010

3.36

2.1 2.24 1.95 1.17 1.31 1.48 1.21 0.86 1.04 1.18 0.85 0.27

Balqa Zarqa Irbid Ajlun Karak Mafraq Jarash Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Kingdom

Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

Looking at the trajectory of poverty over This trend appears consistent with time, available data indicates that the macroeconomic trends, including real per poverty rate fell slightly, by 0.8 percentage capita GDP developments. The growth of points, between 2006 and 2008, but that both real per capita GDP and real GDP has there was a substantial decline (5 percentage pushed down the national poverty rate. points) between 2008 and 2010 (Figure 1.7)8

Figure (1-7): Poverty Trends from 2006 to 2010

20.3% 19.5% 14.4%

2006 2008 2010

Source: Calculation from Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010 ,2008 ,2006a

Before ending this section, it should new methodology is the interest from the be noted that Jordan adopted a new Government of Jordan to better understand methodology in 2012 to derive the national the extent and determinants of poverty poverty line and monitor the annual among diferent subgroups in the population poverty rate. Because this data is updated and to help assess the efectiveness of policy at frequent intervals9, a quarterly profle of interventions. The preliminary estimates poverty can be constructed, which provides are encouraging. These numbers add a new insights into the dynamics of poverty new dimension to poverty trends in the in Jordan from one quarter to another. The rapidly changing social-economic situation imputation uses data from the HEIS and the and could help the authorities get a better Employment and Unemployment Survey handle on the efectiveness of policies (EUS). The main reason behind adopting the deployed to drive down poverty.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 33 Deep Poverty Pockets Are Still Present Across Governorates

As part of its eforts to target regions lagging behind in human development, the Government categorizes a sub-district as a “poverty pocket” if it has a poverty rate of 25 percent or higher. Looking at the district level, all poor districts (poverty rate of at least 25 percent) are identifed, and poor and non-poor sub districts are included in a poor district. A total of 24 poor sub-districts have been identifed in these poor districts. In addition, there are three poor sub-districts located within non-poor districts, which brings the total number of poor sub-districts in the country to 27, distributed across all governorates. There are 6 poor sub-districts each in Ma’an and Mafraq; 3 each in Ajloun, Aqaba and Karak; 2 each in Balqaa and Irbid; and 1 each in Tafleh and Zarqa.

Identifying sub-districts of extreme poverty will enable targeted interventions by all stakeholders, including the government and civil society organizations, both local and international. Another advantage is that all poor people will have equal access to interventions designed to reduce the severity of poverty in the “poverty pocket” sub- districts. Meanwhile, all programs existing in the 14 sub-districts with poverty pockets in 2008 will continue in order to ensure that they no longer have to be classifed as poor sub-districts for two consecutive periods.

The data on poorest sub-districts in 2010 reveal that 22 of the 27 poor sub-districts have poverty rates that are higher than 25 percent (Table 1.14). The highest poverty rate is observed in the sub-district of Wadi Araba, where 71.5 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty. The lowest poverty rate is seen in Al Ramtha sub-district, where 25.1 percent of the population is poor. Although these 27 sub-districts are distributed among all governorates, their overall rate of poverty was 31.6 percent, which is equivalent to 261,300 people. The extremely poor people in these sub-districts comprise 13.6 percent of Jordan’s overall population.

34 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (1-13): The poverty rate in Poverty Pockets, 2010

Table (1-14): Poverty Rates in Districts and Poor Sub-Districts

Poverty Rate in Poverty Rate in No. District Sub-District District Sub-District 1 Qasabet Al Aqaba Wadi Araba 16.0 71.5 2 Al-Rweished Al-Rweished 69.6 69.6 3 Ghour Al Saf Ghour Al Saf 45.4 61.9 4 Al Husseiniyyah Husseiniyyah 52.5 52.5 5 Qasabet Ma’an Mraighah 31.4 50.5 6 Qasabet Ma’an Ail 31.4 48.3 7 Quaira Al Desa 34.6 47.5 8 Salhiyyah Salhiyyah 29.5 44.7 9 Salhiyyah Dair El Kahf 29.5 42.8 10 Al Shouna Al Shamaliah Al Shouna Al Shamaliah 36.0 36.0 11 Qasabet Ajloun Arjan 27.8 33.9 12 Qasabet Ma’an Jafer 31.4 33.8 13 Qasabet Al Zarqa Al dulail 13.8 31.7 14 Quaira Quaira 34.6 31.1 15 Bseirah Besara? 30.0 30.0 16 Dair Alla Dair Alla 29.9 29.9 17 Ein Al Basha Ein Al Basha 29.5 29.5 18 Qasr Moujeb 10.0 28.6 19 Qasabet Ajloun Qasabet Ajloun 27.8 28.0 20 Qasabet Ma’an Athroh 31.4 26.5 21 Salhiyyah Um Qutain 29.5 26.5 22 Ramtha Ramtha 25.1 25.1 23 Qasabet Ajloun Sakhra 27.8 22.5 24 Qasabet Ma’an Qasabet Ma’an 31.4 21.5 25 Ghour El Saf Ghour El Mazra’ah 45.4 21.4 26 Salhiyyah Um Jemal 29.5 17.6 27 Salhiyyah Sabha 29.5 14.2

Source: Department of Statistics 2012a

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 35 funded through line agencies that may not Signifcant Improvements in have the available resources. There is thus a Gender Disparities, But Gaps disjuncture between responsibilities and the resources necessary to ensure the fulfllment Remain of those responsibilities.

The status of Jordanian women has A recent report on the status of gender improved in recent years, especially when mainstreaming in the public sector, including it comes to access to education and health institutions such as ministries, departments, care, and legislation intended to protect and other government agencies, identifed women’s rights both inside the home and the following: at the workplace. The revision of the Social • Females account for 44.9 percent of all Security Law, in particular, has extended employed in the public sector social protection to housewives, introduced maternity insurance and provided greater • Women represent 56.5 percent of all equality in retirement benefts. Jordan has employees in human resources; 49.8 invested heavily in health and education – percent in health, environment, and about 10 per cent of its GDP – which benefts social work; 30.7 percent in legislation all citizens. The female school enrollment and supervision; 29.5 percent in fnance; rose across all income groups, child health 28.7 percent in the economic sector; indicators – such as immunization and 27.2 percent in culture and media; 26.4 infant mortality rates – have improved, and percent in public afairs; 23.8 percent in fertility rates have declined, which indicates infrastructure and telecommunications; an improved health status of women. In 18.9 percent in natural resources; 17.5 addition, the representation of women in percent in transport; and, 7.7 percent in decision making and leadership positions in religious and Islamic afairs. the political sphere is greater today, largely because of the increased quota for females • The share of female employees exceed in parliaments10 from 6 to 15. Women have that of males in three ministries: the also been appointed to various leadership Ministry of education (58 percent), the positions. Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Social Development (51 percent in each Despite these signifcant steps, women’s of the latter two). economic and social opportunities are still smaller than men’s. This inequality • More than a ffth (22.22 percent) of all stems from discriminatory legislation and government ministries and other entities entrenched patriarchal norms that curtail have units specializing in gender issues. women’s freedom and autonomy. However, The Gender Gap Index (GGI)11 ranks countries Jordan has put in place a framework to according to their gender gap; their scores develop and implement gender policies can be interpreted as the percentage of which is overseen by the Jordan National inequality between males and females. Commission for Women (JNCW). The JNCW The GGI assesses countries on how well is a quasi-governmental body mandated resources and opportunities are divided by the Government of Jordan (GoJ) to between males and females, regardless improve the participation of women in of the overall size of these resources and the economic, social, and political life of opportunities. The GGI examines the gender the Jordan. To track compliance, a plan to gap in four fundamental categories: (i) monitor gender-related policies has been economic participation and opportunity developed and included in the National (salaries, participation levels, and access to Strategy on Women prepared by the JNCW. high-skilled employment); (ii) educational Unfortunately, JNCW’s impact is undermined attainment (access to basic and higher level by a lack of resources allocated to policy education); (iii) political empowerment implementation. This is largely because (representation in decision-making bodies); activities in the National Strategy on Women and (iv) health and survival (life expectancy are not directly funded from the public purse and sex ratio). (government budget) and must often be

36 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 According to the Global Gender Index 2014, Jordan’s GGI score was 0.597,12 which ranks The nation-wide female labor Jordan 134 out of the 142 countries for force participation rate is which the index is calculated. The index on economic participation and opportunity very low. The Global Gender places Jordan even lower, at a ranking of Gap Report from 2014 ranks 140. The ranking on the sub-index for female Jordan as number 139 out of labor force participation rate is also very low, 139, as well as the index on the estimated 142 countries. earned income (PPP US$) for females, on which Jordan ranks number 137. In terms of higher occupations, such as legislators, Disparities Across senior ofcials and managers, the gender gap is narrower, and Jordan ranks 119. For Governorates and Regions is professional and technical workers, Jordan ranks number 111. In regards to wage a Threat to Progress equality, Jordan obtains a relatively good rank of 74. The issue of women’s employment Jordan is divided into 12 governorates, has gained greater legitimacy as a result of according to the Administrative Divisions activities led by female members of the royal Order of the Ministry of Interior. These family and royal NGOs. governorates are located in three regions: the North Region, the Central Region and Jordan’s ranking on the educational the South Region. These three geographical attainment index is much higher than regions are not based on area or population on the index for economic participation size, but rather by geographical connectivity and opportunity: 74. On the sub-indices and distance between population centers. for enrollment in secondary and tertiary Current regional disparities are mainly education, Jordan ranked number one out of a result of demographic disparities 142 countries, and on the index for primary (population size), distribution of wealth/ education enrollment, Jordan ranked 104. income, and opportunities (or lack thereof) On the sub-index for literacy rates, which is for employment. a summary index of educational outcomes, Jordan ranked 69. Jordan had a population of 6.5 million in 2013 (Table 1.15). Out of these, 82.6 With its score on the index of political percent lived in urban areas. 39 percent empowerment, Jordan ranks 119. The score of the Jordan’s population are residents of on this index is a function of the gender Amman, 94 percent of whom live in urban gap in: (1) high political decision-making areas. Another 18 percent of the population positions (parliamentary positions), on live in Irbid, where the urbanization rate is which Jordan obtains a ranking of 107; (2) 83 percent. Zarqa has 15 percent of Jordan’s ministerial positions, on which Jordan ranks population, 95 percent of which are urban 98; and (3) heads of state (looking at the residents. Diferences in urban density across heads of state in the last 50 years), where governorates explain some of the disparities Jordan ranks 64. in education, healthcare, and other social and public services. Finally, Jordan ranks 127 on the sub-index for health and survival. On the two sub-indices, Data from the 2010 Household Expenditure sex ratio at birth (female/male) and healthy and Income Survey reveal that the average life expectancy, Jordan ranks 94 and 134, annual income for a household with 5.4 respectively. In order to discuss this more in members was 8,843 JD, which translated detail, this National Human Development to an income of 1,637.6 JD per household Report devotes a full chapter (Chapter 6) to member. By governorate, the average gender disparities in Jordan. annual income was highest in Amman (10,670 JD), and lowest in Madaba (6,912 JD) and Balqaa (7,095 JD). Figure 1.8 presents a more complete picture of the household average annual income for 2010.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 37 Table (1-15): Population distribution and density by governorate, 2013

Population Share Population Density Governorate Total Population (%) (p/km2) Amman 2,528,500 39 333.6 Balqaa 437,500 7 390.5 Zarqa 972,900 15 204.3 Madaba 163,300 3 173.8 Irbid 1,162,300 18 739.5 Mafraq 306,900 5 11.6 Jerash 195,900 3 478 Ajloun 150,200 2 357.9 Karak 254,700 4 72.9 Tafla 91,400 1 41.4 Ma’an 124,100 2 3.8 Aqaba 142,300 2 20.6 Jordan 6,530,000 100 73.5

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013a

Figure (1-8): Household average annual income by governorate, 2010 (JD)

10,670

8,754 8,842 7,951 7,948 7,712 7,649 7,516 7,095 7,254 6,912 7,273 7,359

Balqa Zarqa Irbid Ajlun Karak Mafraq Jarash Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Kingdom

Source: Calculation from Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010a

38 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Jordan, as a whole, has a Gini coefcient the scale, income inequality was lowest in of 0.376, while it is 0.385 and 0.300 for Jerash (0.254) and Tafla (0.262). Perhaps urban and rural areas, respectively13. The one explanation for this is that the sources Gini coefcient was highest in Amman of income is less diversifed than in other (0.387) and Aqaba (0.376), indicating higher governorates. Figure 1.9 shows income inequality in the distribution of income in inequality by governorate. these governorates. At the other end of

Figure (1-9): Income Inequality (Gini Coefcient) by Governorate, 2010

Kingdom 0.376 Aqaba 0.376 Ma'an 0.28 Tafela 0.262 Karak 0.317 Ajlun 0.306 Jarash 0.254 Mafraq 0.296 Irbid 0.33 Madaba 0.272 Zarqa 0.319 Balqa 0.333 Amman 0.387

0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500

Source: Calculation from Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010a

According to the 2012 Quality of Life Report, the quality of life was low for 26 percent of all households in Jordan. In addition, 30.9 percent of all households fell below the middle of the distribution for education.

An alternative way of measuring disparities The proportion of households below the is the Quality of Life Index (QLI), which middle of the distribution varies between assesses the living standards of a household governorates, depending on economic based on a wide range of indicators, conditions and standards of living. The including those for economic activity, largest proportion of households living education, and housing. According to the below the middle of the distribution is QLI, which was prepared in 2012 based on located in Ajloun (39.9 percent), Mafraq the HEIS 2010 data, 26 percent of Jordanian (37.8 percent), and Tafla (35.0 percent), households had low standards of living. In while Amman had the lowest proportion of terms of education, the QLI indicates that households living below the middle of the 30.9 percent of all households were classifed distribution (18.9 percent). Figure 1.10 shows below the average of the distribution; for the share of households living below the housing, the corresponding fgure was 23 middle of the distribution by governorate. percent; and for economic conditions, the proportion was 23 percent.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 39 Figure (1-10): Proportion of Households Below the Average of the QLI distribution by Governorate, 2010

39.9 37.8 35 34.6 32.2 32 28.6 28.4 26.9 26.9 25.6

18.9

Irbid Ajlun Tafela Balqa Aqaba Zarqa Jarash Ma'an Karak Mafraq Madaba Amman

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2012b.

One possible explanation for these high already committed to and those who will numbers is the Syrian crisis, which has be included in the budget for the duration resulted in a massive infux of refugees of the plan. The GoJ will meet all costs to Jordan beginning in March 2011. The necessary to ensure that the governorate number of refugees increased from 1,500 development plans are successful. persons at the end of 2011 to over 1.4 million persons by the end of November 2014. Beyond these plans, the World Bank currently From a human development perspective, provides support to several programmes the humanitarian requirements for such that are intended to address socio-economic a huge infux of people are mainly good gender imbalances and improve access to shelter, child protection, healthcare, justice. Several other donors currently have education, nutrition, protection of women, projects that focus on gender issues. and local host communities’ acceptance and engagement. Fortunately, fnancial The Syrian Refugee Crisis support and in-kind assistance to deal with the crisis has been coming from both the has Aggravated Regional formal and informal sectors. Even so, both UNHCR and the Government of Jordan Disparities have pointed out the inadequate size of assistance given the magnitude of the crisis. It is impossible to discuss human In addition, some studies criticized informal development challenges and regional sector organizations for being unorganized, disparities in Jordan without addressing lacking adequate coordination, and for the implications of the Syrian refugee 14 being unresponsive in certain cases. More crisis. According to ofcial Jordanian data, details on the Syrian refugee crisis will be the number of Syrian refugees and Syrian discussed in the last section of this chapter. migrants residing in either ofcial camps or outside of camps in the Jordan reached Even before the Syrian crisis began however, around 230,000 by the end of 2012, but the GoJ made a comprehensive efort to rose to over 550,000 by the end of 2013 mitigate regional disparities: it developed (ofcially registered refugees).15 The latest 12 development plans, one for each ofcial data show that the total number of governorate for 2013-2016. The total cost Syrians residing in Jordan, refugees and non- of these development plans is estimated at refugees, was around 1.4 million at the end 5.866 billion JD, including 4.694 billion JD of 2014. for projects and government programmes

40 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (1-16): Some characteristics of Syrian refugees and residents in Jordan (as of early 2014)

Age 0-4 Years 5-11 Years 12-17 Years 18-35 Years 36-59 Years +60 years Total

Females 49551 59263 40621 90596 50013 11727 301771 Males 50651 61351 42460 78512 39376 8443 280972 Total 100202 120793 83081 169108 39389 20170 582743 Share of total (%) 17.2 20.7 14.3 29.0 15.3 3.5 100 Source: Information from the Ministry of Interior, Syrian Refugee Camp Directorate 2014

Over half of the refugees at the end of 2013 improving the infrastructure is thus an were females. If children aged 11 years and additional burden that Jordan has to younger are included, then that fgure rises confront to over 70 percent. 17 percent of these refugees are under 5 years old and another • Bordering cities: cities in the north 21 percent between the ages of 5-11. Thus, (Mafraq and Irbid) host a large fraction about 38 percent of the Syrian refugees of refugees, which imposes a heavier tax were children. But the largest proportion on their socio-economic development. of refugees, 29 percent, were between 18- To date, these governorates have not 35 years. Only 3.5 percent were 60 years received adequate assistance to cope and above (Table 1.15). The extent of the with the challenges and costs of hosting challenges posed by the large number Syrian refugees. of refugees, including the overwhelming From the beginning of the crisis, Jordan has share of females and children younger than coordinated with UNHCR. The frst wave 12 years old, cannot be underestimated of Syrian refugees began with a few Syrian – from the challenges of providing social families seeking shelter with Jordanian protection, health, education and social families in bordering towns, especially care, to basic commodities such as gas and Ramtha. Shortly after, the Al Za’atari Camp bread. Because these services are already was established in Mafraq, followed by two distributed unequally among governorates, other main camps in the city of Azraq. as this NHDR will demonstrate, the huge additional demand caused by the refugee Data obtained from the PSD and Jordan crisis has serious implications, including a Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), worsening of current regional disparities. displayed in Tables 1.16 and 1.17, show the The sudden growth of Jordan’s population numbers, distribution and locations of Syrian will certainly pose a challenge to human refugees as of early 2014. This data covers all development. The following may be noted:16 persons entering Jordan, including those who entered through ofcial entry points Education: the huge infux of Syrian • as well as those who entered through non- refugees will afect the education sector ofcial entry points along the 375 km-long because it increases class sizes and has border. Around 81 percent of the refugees led to a two-shift school schedule that who do not live in refugee camps are located has cut class time by almost 20 percent. in Amman and the two governorates that Needless to say, this will aggravate border to Syria, namely Mafraq (35 percent) regional disparities in the education and Irbid (21 percent). This means that system across governorates and widen Mafraq and Irbid host over 56 percent of the disparities between Amman and other Syrian refugees who do not live in refugee governorates. camps, which impose a huge burden on • Infrastructure: the sudden, unexpected public service and infrastructure. Ofcial increase of Jordan’s population data, as well as data from the JHCO, show has overstretched the country’s that the average Syrian refugee family is infrastructure and led to an erosion of composed of 5.8 persons, which is not far its quality. The cost of maintaining and from Jordan’s average of 5.6.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 41 Table (1-17): Syrian Refugees: Distribution by Location (as of early 2014)

Location of Refugees Number (thousands)

Al Za’atari/ Mafraq 112,874 Sakan Al Hadeeqa/ Ramtha 810 Murejeb Al Fuhood Camp/ Mafraq 3,848 Sakan Camp/ Mafraq 1,260 Outside the camps 431,593 Total ofcially registered refugees 550,385 Refugees guaranteed through the governor 32,006 Departures to Syria 54,000 Non-refugee Syrian residents 750,000 Total Syrian residents in Jordan 1,302,717

Source: Information from the Ministry of Interior, Syrian Refugee Camp Directorate 2014

Table (1-18): Syrian Refugees: Relative distribution by location

City/Town Numbers in thousands Percentage (%)

Mafraq 65.0 10.5 Al Za’atari 126,3 24.4 Murejeb Al Fuhood 3,8 0.7 Irbid 130,1 21,1 Amman 143,5 23.7 Zarqa 46,5 8.3 Balqaa 15,5 2.5 Jerash 10,7 1.8 Ajloun 10,0 1.7 Madaba 8,2 1.3 Karak 8,8 1.6 Ma’an 6,4 1.0 Aqaba 2,4 0.4 Taflah 2,2 0.4 Others 3,4 0.7

Source: Information from the Ministry of Interior, Syrian Refugee Camp Directorate 2014PSD, SRCD.

42 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Discounting for inequality across the HDI In Conclusion: Much Progress, dimensions produced an overall loss of 18.6 But Still a Long Way to Go percent in 2013 and 16.5 percent in 2014 (an IHDI value of 0.607 and 0.625, respectively). The value of Jordan’s Human Development There has been progress on gender Index was 0.748 in 2014, up by 0.003 points issues, however. The value of the Gender from the previous year. Of the 188 countries Development Index (GDI) increased from for which the HDI was calculated in 2014, 0.842 to 0.860, while the Gender Inequality Jordan ranked 77, down three positions Index (GII) declined from 0.488 to 0.473 from 2013. Even so, the value of its HDI (smaller values equal lower inequality). placed Jordan, along with fve other Arab Indeed, there has been signifcant progress countries, in the high human development in regards to gender equality, particularly category (the HDI was computed for 19 Arab in regard to access to education, health, countries in both 2013 and 2014). Further, and improvements in legislation to protect Jordan was among the top 10 countries women’s rights within the home and at in this group, occupying the 9th position. the workplace. In addition, Jordan has Even more remarkably, Jordan’s HDI value a framework in place for designing and was higher than both the average (0.735 implementing gender policies. On the in 2013 and 0.744 in 2014) for countries in 2014 Global Gender Index (GGI), which the high human development group as well measures the gender gap, Jordan received as the average (0.682 in 2013 and 0.686 in a score of 0.597, which ranked it 134 out of 2014) for Arab countries. However, the value 142 countries. The sub-index for economic of Jordan’s 2014 HDI was lower than that participation and opportunity ranks Jordan of two Arab countries in the high human as the bottom country – 140th. The female development group – Oman (0.793) and labor force participation rate, one of the Lebanon (0.769). Jordan still has a long way indicators for this sub-index, is also low (a to go considering that there were six Arab rank of 139), which is similar to the indicator countries (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab on estimated earned income (PPP US$) for Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait) among the 49 females, on which Jordan ranks number 137. countries globally that secured a place in the Based on data from 2009 and 2012, Jordan’s very high human development group. value on the multidimensional poverty Jordan’s HDI increased by 27.4 percent index (MPI), which measures deprivations in between 1980 (0.587) and 2014 (0.748). multiple dimensions, was 0.004 both years. The life expectancy at birth, one of the One percent of the country’s population dimensions of the HDI, increased by 7.8 lived in multidimensional poverty in 2009, years, from 66.2 years to 74.0 years, refecting but this number rose slightly to 1.2 percent improvements in the quality of healthcare in in 2012. An additional 4.1 percent were at risk particular. The expected years of schooling of living in multidimensional poverty in 2009 increased by 1.6 years during the same but this number decreased to 1.0 percent in period, while the mean years of schooling 2012. The intensity of deprivation, which is increased by 6.8 years, which bears testimony measured by the number of deprivations to greater access to education. Gross that people in multidimensional poverty national income (PPP $) per person rose by experience, was 36.8 percent and 35.3 around 45 percent during the same period. percent in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Even But while Jordan’s human development though this kind of data does not exist at the progress looks impressive at the national regional and governorate levels, national level, huge disparities exist across regions data on poverty is available. The annual and governorates and between urban and poverty line for Jordan was estimated at rural areas. Spatial inequalities is thus an 813.7 JD per person and the poverty rate important developmental issue that Jordan (headcount index) was 14.4 percent in 2013. needs to address. At the level of governorates, the lowest poverty rate was observed in Amman (11.4 percent) and Karak (13.4 percent), while the highest was in Ma’an (26.6 percent) and Ajloun (25.6 percent).

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 43 Across governorates, the proportion of Chapter 1 provides an overview of the households living below the middle of the human development trends in Jordan, distribution of the Quality of Life Index varies. concentrating on the Human Development The highest proportion of households living Index, the poverty map, and gender issues. below the middle of the distribution live in Chapter 2 examines developments of the Ajloun (39.9 percent), Mafraq (37.8 percent) education system in Jordan, with particular and Tafla (35.0 percent). In comparison, focus on knowledge-based education and Amman had the smallest proportion of educational disparities across geographical households living below the middle (18.9 locations. Chapter 3 is devoted to the percent). country’s health sector, and looks at the quality of health care, public-private As the report notes, Government partnerships, and youth and gender issues. interventions have contributed signifcantly Employment and livelihood is the focus to mitigating regional disparities, specifcally, subject of Chapter 4, with special attention the GoJ’s 12 development plans, one for each paid to labor market performance, SMEs governorate, covering the period of 2013- and MSMEs, women’s participation and 2016. The intention is to use these plans empowerment, and regional livelihood to alleviate disparities between regions by disparities. Issues related to youth and creating decent job opportunities, building empowerment are discussed in Chapter capacities, increasing accessibility to 5, including youth and poverty, youth and microfnance, and improving infrastructure. education, youth voice and participation, and regional disparities. Chapter 6 analyzes Remainder of the Report issues that afect women in a social, economic, and political context, including The main aim of this National Human female economic participation. Chapter Development Report is to assess human 7 is devoted to issues related to local development eforts in Jordan over the development: municipality development last few years, particularly since the last strategies, participation in policy-making, NHDR in 2011. In particular, the Report good governance, decentralization, and focuses on human development disparities local development and initiatives. Access across regions and governorates, as well as to justice, stability of laws and regulations, between certain segments of society. law and order, and the judiciary system are discussed in Chapter 8. The fnal chapter of this NHDR summarizes major fndings and provides policy recommendations to further human development and to narrow regional disparities.

44 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

EDUCATION

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 45 CHAPTER TWO EDUCATION

46 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 education system among developing Introduction countries and many countries in the region developed their education system with the For many years, Jordan’s education Jordanian model in mind. system has been one of the best in the region. Observers usually refer to the This chapter tackles critical issues in the fact that between 1999 and 2007, Jordan education sector and it will be organized experienced continuous improvements in as follows: part (1) presents Jordan’s education at all levels. This has been the case educational infrastructure; part (2) describes since the mid-twentieth century. Education the educational system in Jordan; part (3) played a major role in the economic and depicts the knowledge-based education in social renaissance of Jordan. Educational Jordan; and, part (4) sheds lights on regional reform eforts started in the early 1990s disparities in education. and included: national education standards; teaching English as a foreign language from grade one and computer science Jordan’s Educational from grade 7; and developing curricula to ft the current knowledge gaps. The main Infrastructure goal is for Jordanian students to meet The Ministry of Education (MoE) is the requirements of the modern labor responsible for pre-school, primary, market, and to contribute to sustainable and secondary education. The post- development. secondary education is the responsibility Part one of this chapter discusses the of the Ministry of Higher Education and Jordanian education system and its rank in Scientifc Research (MoHESR). Technical and the Arab world. Jordan’s education system Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at used to be considered the most efcient the secondary level (excluding community

Figure (2-1): Education Ladder

Educational Ladder

Higher UnIv. Education Year Age

BA. 4th Year 21 BA. 3rd Year 20 Bachelor Degree Community BA. 2nd Year 19 Colleges BA. 1st Year 18

General Secondary Labor Market Certifcate Examination Grade Age Applied Secondary Education 2nd sec. 17 (Training Centers & Apprenticeship) Comprehensive Secondary Education (Academic & Vocational) 1st sec. 16 Grade 10 15 Grade 9 14 Grade 8 13 Grade 7 12 Grade 6 11 Basic Education Grade 5 10 Grade 4 9 Grade 3 8 Grade 2 7 Grade 1 6 KG2 5 Pre-School Education KG1 4

Source: Ministry of Education, Statistical Report 2012/2013

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 47 colleges), as well as applied vocational Exam—Tawjihi. Figure (2-1) illustrates education, is administered by the Vocational the Education Ladder for the Jordanian Training Corporation (VTC), which is under education system. the authority of the Ministry of Labor. The education system in Jordan consists of two Diferent authorities are responsible for years of pre-school education, ten years education in Jordan. The diferent schools of compulsory basic education, and two include: Ministry of Education schools, years of secondary academic or vocational private schools, schools operated by UNRWA, education, after which students take a and other governmental institutions. The General Certifcate of Secondary Education distribution of schools by authority is presented in table (2-1) below.

Table (2-1): Distribution of schools by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 Ministry of Other Gender Private Schools Governmental UNRWA Total Education Schools Male 1,295 64 31 85 1,475 Female 538 15 3 71 627 Co-Ed 1,712 2,521 3 17 4,253 Total 3,545 2,600 37 173 6,355

Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

MOE supervises 3,545 schools, of which schools are 37 and 173 respectively. In 2,300 are basic education schools, 1,243 are regards to other governmental schools, only secondary schools, and two are kindergartens. three are basic schools and 34 are secondary The total number of private schools is schools. UNRWA operates 172 basic schools 2,600. The majority of private schools are but only one secondary school. Neither kindergartens, namely 1,542, while the UNRWA nor other governmental institutions number of private basic and secondary provide kindergartens. Table (2-2) shows schools are 828 and 230 respectively. The the distribution of schools by authority, number of other governmental and UNRWA education cycle, and gender.

Table (2-2): Distribution of schools by authority, education cCycle and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 Other Governmental Gender Ministry of education Private Schools Schools UNRWA Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total

Male 0 748 547 1,295 4 18 42 64 0 1 30 31 0 0 1 85 Female 0 237 301 538 2 2 11 15 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 71 Co-ed 2 1,315 395 1,712 1,536 808 177 2,521 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 17 Total 2 2,300 1,243 3,545 1,542 828 230 2,600 0 3 34 37 0 0 1 173

Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

48 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 The number of class units by education cycle 1,329 are for secondary education, and difers among schools. The total number of 5,024 are for kindergarten. The class units in class units in MOE schools is 44,493: 35,655 UNRWA and other governmental schools are are for basic education, 7,778 for secondary 3,348 and 575 respectively. Table (2-3) shows education, and 1,060 are for kindergartens. the distribution of class units by authorities, In private schools, the total number of class gender, and education cycle. units is 20,339: 13,986 are for basic education,

Table (2-3): Distribution of class units by authority, education cycle and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013 Other Governmental Ministry of education Private Schools Schools UNRWA

Gender Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total Kindergarten Basic Secondary Total

Male 15 13,177 3,588 16,780 174 2,791 546 3,511 0 374 103 477 0 1,600 29 1,629 Female 7 14,457 4,166 18,630 102 1,813 497 2,412 0 55 12 67 0 1,552 0 1,552 Co-ed 1,038 8,021 24 9,083 4,748 9,382 286 14,416 6 23 2 31 0 167 0 167 Total 1,060 35,655 7,778 44,493 5,024 13,986 1,329 20,339 6 452 117 575 0 3,319 29 3,348

Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

enrollment rate in kindergarten was 38.3 Jordan’s Education System percent: the enrollment rate was 38.5 percent for boys and 38.1 percent for girls. a. Pre-school education (Kindergarten) The total number of students enrolled is two years long. It consists of activities in kindergarten was 111,771, of which that are intended to develop children’s 58,408 students were boys and 53,363 cognitive skills before their entry into students were girls. The distribution of elementary school. Kindergarten is for the students by authority is illustrated in children aged 4 and 5. In 2013, the gross table (2-4) below.

Table (2-4): Distribution of kindergarten students by authority and gender, 2012-2013

Authority Male Female Total

Ministry of Education 10,323 10,832 21,155 Private Schools 47,972 42,426 90,398 Other Governmental Schools 113 105 218 UNRWA 0 0 0 Total 58,408 53,363 111,771 Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 49 In kindergartens under the authority of because it recognizes the important role that MOE, the ratio of male to female teachers education plays in creating a knowledgeable is 1 to 1,060. In private kindergartens, work-force. Therefore, the GoJ has made other governmental kindergartens, and basic education free in all government kindergartens run by UNRWA, there are no schools. male teachers. In comparison, 5,757 female teachers work in UNRWA-run kindergartens The total number of students enrolled in and six female teachers are employed basic education reached 1,396,264 in the in both private and other governmental academic year 2012-2013; the number of kindergartens. male students was 713,407 while the number of female students was 682,857. MOE b. Basic Education: schools enroll 69 percent of students in basic education, while 22 percent attend private Basic education is a 10-year compulsory level schools, 8 percent attend UNRWA schools, of education designed for children aged 6 to and 1 percent attend other governmental 15 years. The Government of Jordan (GoJ) schools. Table (2-5), shows the distribution puts a great emphasis on basic education of students enrolled in basic education.

Table (2-5): Distribution of students enrolled in basic education by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013

Authority Male Female Total

Ministry of Education 458,466 504,842 963,308 Private Schools 187,839 120,250 308,089 Other Governmental Schools 10,283 2,311 12,594 UNRWA 56,819 55,454 112,273 Total 713,407 682,857 1,396,264 Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The gross enrollment rate in basic education basic education was 4,252, of which 2,238 reached 99.1 percent during the year 2012- were male and 2,014 were female. The total 2013; for females it reached 100 percent number of students who repeated one or and for males it reached 97.9 percent. more grades was 14,601; 8,045 of them were The high enrollment rate is refected in male and 6,556 were female. The distribution declining illiteracy rates among those aged of dropouts and students who repeated one 6-15 years. The total number of dropouts in or more grades is shown in table (2-6).

50 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015

Table (2-5): Distribution of Basic Education Students by Authority, Gender in the Kingdom, 2012-2013 Table (2-6): Distribution of dropouts and repeaters in basic education by grade and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013

Dropouts Repeaters Grade Male Female Total Male Female Total st 1 123 115 238 223 177 400 2 nd 60 61 121 166 86 252 rd 3 346 235 581 133 106 239 th 4 201 154 355 480 461 941 5 th 225 203 428 680 636 1,316 6 th 212 175 387 869 637 1,506 7 th 252 172 424 1,245 1,020 2,265 8 th 237 250 487 1,570 1,283 2,853 9 th 294 313 607 1,542 1,313 2,855 10 th 288 336 624 1,137 837 1,974 Total Basic 2,238 2,014 4,252 8,045 6,556 14,601

Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The total number of teachers in basic vocational or technical orientation qualifes education was 79,845. The proportion of students entrance to Community Colleges female teachers was 68 percent compared and Universities, provided that they pass to 32 percent for male teachers. 70 percent two additional subjects. They can also of all teachers worked in schools under the choose to enter the job market. Practical authority of MOE, followed by 24 percent secondary education, which is managed in private schools, 5 percent in schools by the Vocational Training Corporation, operated by UNRWA, and only 1 percent in provides intensive vocational training and other governmental schools. apprenticeship that lead to a diferent certifcate than Tawjihi. Students get c. Secondary Education: practical training through apprenticeships, and not through school workshops as is the Secondary education is comprised of two case in vocational secondary education. additional years of study for students aged 16 to 18 who have completed the basic The total number of students in secondary cycle (ten years). It consists of two major education reached 218,796; the number orientations: the academic orientation and of male students was 105,188 while that the vocational orientation. At the end of of female students was 113,608. MOE the two-year period, students sit for the schools enroll 86.7 percent of all secondary general secondary education examination education students. 12 percent of students (Tawjihi) in the appropriate branch and are in private schools, 1 percent are in other those who pass are awarded the Tawjihi governmental schools, and 0.25 percent (General Secondary Education Certifcate). are in UNRWA schools. Table (2-7) shows The academic orientation qualifes students the distribution of secondary education entrance to universities, whereas the students.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 51 Table (2-7): Distribution of secondary education students by authority and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013

Authority Male Female Total

Ministry of Education 88,121 101,392 189,513 Private Schools 14,651 11,861 26,512 Other Governmental Schools 1,851 355 2,206 UNRWA 565 0 565 Total 105,188 113,608 218,796 Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The enrollment rate in secondary education dropped out of 11th grade compared to 540 is 80.4 percent. The female enrollment rate students who dropped out of 12th grade. is higher than the male enrollment rate; 87 The total number of students who repeated percent of females are enrolled in secondary a grade was 989; 54 percent of them were education compared to 74.3 percent of male and 46 percent were female. The males. The total number of dropouts was number of students who repeated 11th 1,002 students; 63 percent were female grade was 576 and the number of students and 37 percent were male. The number of who repeated 12th grade was 413. The students who dropped out of 12th grade distribution of dropouts and repeating was higher than for 11th grade; 462 students students is presented in table (2-8).

Table (2-8): Distribution of dropouts and repeaters in secondary education by grade and gender in Jordan, 2012-2013

Dropouts Repeaters Grade Male Female Total Male Female Total th 11 184 278 462 320 256 576 12 th 187 353 540 213 200 413 Total Secondary 371 631 1,002 533 456 989 Source: Ministry of Education - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The total number of teachers in secondary d. Vocational Education: education was 23,344. The percentage of female teachers was greater than that of The Ministry of Education provides high male teachers; 54 percent were female school vocational training in 193 schools. and 46 percent were male. The highest The total number of vocational education percentage of teachers (80 percent) worked graduates in 2011-2012 was 26,137; 18,005 in schools under the authority of MOE, of the students were male and 8,132 were followed by private schools (17 percent), female. In the 11th grade, there were 13,692 other governmental schools (2.7 percent), students; the number of male students and UNRWA schools (0.3 percent). was 9,514 while the number of female students was 4,178. In the 12th grade, the total number of students was 12,444; 8,491 students were male and 3,954 students were female.

Table (2-5):JORDAN Distribution HUMAN DEVELOPMENT of Basic REPORT Education 2015 Students by Authority, Gender in the 52 Kingdom, 2012-2013 The total number of students who passed who repeated one or more grades was 158 the vocational education requirements was and 191 respectively. Table (2-9) shows the 24,978 compared to 785 students who failed. gender distribution of vocational students in The total number of dropouts and students 2011-2012.

Table (2-9): Distribution of vocational students by gender, 2011-2012

Student Status Male Female Total

Passed 17,212 7,766 24,978 Failed 563 222 785 Repeater 108 83 191 Dropout 109 49 158 Other 13 12 25 Total 18,005 8,132 26,137

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Statistics 2011-2012

e. Higher Education Jordanian universities, for example, the Magister in the German Jordanian University, Higher education consists of 4+ years and the DEA’s degree at the universities that is open to students holding the General follow the French system, and the MBA for Secondary Education Certifcate. Students the students who have signifcant work can choose between private community experience. colleges, public community colleges or universities (public and private). The credit- The third stage is the Doctorate level. A hour system, which entitles students to Doctorate degree is awarded after three to select courses in accordance with a study fve years of study after the postgraduate plan, is implemented at universities. level and the submission of a dissertation. It requires, depending on the subject, 24 credit Higher education consists of three stages. hours of course work and 24 credit hours of The frst stage is the undergraduate level. research. Most universities in Jordan follow the British and American education systems and many Higher education plays a key role in are associated with American and English development in Jordan. During the last universities. Bachelor’s degrees normally ten years, the higher education system has take four years. The programs in dentistry, experienced a signifcant progress in terms pharmacy, and engineering are fve years of the diversity of study programs, patterns long. The medical program is six years, of teaching and learning, and the expansion followed by an internship of one year. A of higher education institutions. Bachelor’s degree requires a total of 126-257 credit hours depending on the feld of study. During the last ten years, The second stage is the postgraduate level. higher education went A Master’s degree is awarded after one to through a signifcant progress two years of study following the Bachelor’s degree. It can be obtained either by course in terms of the diversity of work and a thesis (24 credit hours of study programs, patterns of courses and nine credit hours of research), teaching and learning, and the or by course work (33 credit hours) and a comprehensive examination. There expansion of higher education are international postgraduate degrees institutions equivalent to the Master’s degree at some

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 53

Table (2-5): Distribution of Basic Education Students by Authority, Gender in the Kingdom, 2012-2013 According to the participants in one of The rise in the number of universities is the workshops held to discuss education accompanied by a signifcant increase in issues in Jordan during the research phase the number of enrolled students. In the year of this report, Jordan has realized multiple 2012-2013, 268,150 students were enrolled achievements despite the challenges that at Jordanian universities. The total number of the higher education system has faced. students in public universities was 201,495; This is demonstrated by the increase in private universities, 66,655 students in the number of: higher education were enrolled. At public universities, institutions; enrolled students; faculty female enrollment was greater than male members; administrative and academic enrollment; 113,959 female students were members; and the volume of expenditures enrolled, compared with 87,536 male and government fnancial support to the students. At private universities, it was the education sector. As a result, there are now opposite; 42,810 male students and 23,845 10 public universities, 17 private universities, female students were enrolled. Table (2-10) and 51 community colleges, in addition to shows the distribution of students in private the World Islamic Sciences and Education and public universities by gender and University. However, some participants in degree. the workshop mentioned above stressed the fact that maintaining quality education, including both higher and postgraduate education, is one of the biggest challenges Jordan is facing.

Table (2-10): Students enrolled at Jordanian universities by degree and gender, 2012-2013

Public Universities Private Universities Degree Male Female Total Male Female Total

B.A / B.Sc 79,572 106,045 185,617 40,914 22,901 63,815 M.A / M.Sc 739 1,609 2,348 12 21 33 Higher Diploma 5,931 5,379 11,310 1,786 892 2,678 PhD 1,294 926 2,220 98 31 129 Total 87,536 113,959 201,495 42,810 23,845 66,655

Source: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifc Research – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The total number of graduate students from other Arab and foreign countries enrolled Knowledge-Based Education at public universities was 2,266; 79 students in Jordan are studying for the higher diploma degree, 1,754 students for the Master’s degree, and Knowledge-based education depends 433 students for a PhD degree. The total on the interactive relationship between number of graduate students enrolled at information technology and basic education private universities was 963; 942 students procedures. Information and education studied for the Master’s degree and 21 procedures should be merged in the same students studied for the PhD degree. data structure. In order to maintain that structure, a comprehensive program for Education Reform for Knowledge Economy (ERFKE) was introduced. This program aims to create an efective, knowledge-

54 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 based development process focused on The frst phase of the Education Reform developing the abilities, skills, attitudes, and for the Knowledge Economy Program values associated with a knowledge-based (ErfKE I) ran from 2003-2009 and ended economy. in June 2009 after fve and a half years of implementation. The second phase of the There are four components of the ERFKE Program (ErfKE II) continues to build on the program. Component 1 is to re-orient achievements of the frst phase and follows education policy objectives and strategies the same implementation arrangements through governance and administrative that proved to be successful in ErfKE I. It reform. The fve sub-components of the focuses on schools as important drivers of frst component consist of: a) a redefned change as well as on the need to enhance vision and comprehensive national capacity building at the central and local education strategy; b) revised governance, levels. The development objective of ErfKE management, and decision-making II is to provide students enrolled in pre- mechanisms to achieve and support an tertiary education institutions in Jordan with education system that delivers basic skills necessary skills so that they can participate and essential learning for the knowledge in the knowledge economy. economy; c) an Education Decision Support System (EDSS) to facilitate efcient policy There is an additional reform initiative, analysis and efective system management, namely, the Jordan Education Initiative as well as to promote transparency; (JEI). This initiative represents an innovative d) comprehensive and coordinated program created to explore how technology educational research as well as monitoring can be efectively used to encourage and evaluation activities; and e) efective innovation among teachers and students. management and efcient coordination of Furthermore, JEI seeks to develop and educational investments directed towards test an efcient public-private partnership reform eforts. Additionally, support will be model to accelerate education reforms provided to school-based innovations. in developing countries. The JEI includes the development and implementation of Component 2 transforms education six e-learning curricula in one hundred programs and practices for the knowledge pilot schools called “Discovery Schools” economy. There are three sub-components: around the country. The new curricula use a) developing new curricula and enhanced technology and the internet to engage learning assessments; b) supporting the students with the material in new ways, professional development of the Ministry create learning strategies that are research of Education’s personnel; and c) providing and project-oriented, and get students necessary resources to support efective involved in shaping their own education. In learning. addition to improving education for Jordan’s students, JEI also aims to build the capacity Component 3 is designed to ensure safe of Jordan’s ICT industry for the development school buildings and improved learning of innovative learning solutions through environments. Two sub-components local partners who are developing the include: a) replacing unsafe and overcrowded educational software. schools; and b) upgrading existing schools to support learning in the knowledge economy While JEI and ErfKE represent Jordan’s by providing computer and science labs. largest education reform eforts, His Majesty King Abdullah II has supported many other Component 4 promotes early childhood education. It is designed to strengthen equality in low-income areas by providing kindergarten for children of age 5. The The Jordan Education Initiative sub-components include: a) enhancing (JEI) represents an innovative institutional capacity for early childhood education; b) developing a cadre of program created to explore how ECE educators; c) increasing access to technology can be efectively kindergartens for the poor; and d) fostering used to encourage innovation parent and community participation and partnership (public awareness and among teachers and students understanding).

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 55 programs to help students and teachers, to biscuits. The program includes UNRWA, enhance the educational environment, and army-run schools, and government to improve the knowledge-based education schools, and is expanded annually. In overall. These programs are: addition, King Abdullah issued directives to provide schoolchildren with vitamins • EduWave: This is the frst program of on a daily basis to improve their health its kind, both at the local and regional and nutrition intake and to bolster their level, and began as an e-learning project immunity against illness and disease. This applied in schools around the Jordan project is implemented cooperatively by and fnanced by the King Abdullah II the Ministry of Education and the Jordan Fund for Development. The program Armed Forces. ofers e-solutions to teach students at all stages using an interactive graphic • Winter Coats Distribution: In 2005, interface. The system enables teachers King Abdullah II launched a campaign to employ interactive examples, models, to distribute winter coats among and scientifc experiments to supplement schoolchildren in grades one through six. conventional textbook material. The efort Upon the King’s directives, all compulsory to computerize all public schools began level students in public schools were to in 1999 and came to an end in 2005; all be given winter coats before the winter selected schools were computerized season every year to help them and to and connected electronically. Many alleviate their parents’ fnancial burdens. other Middle Eastern countries have also In 2008, the project was expanded to beneftted from this model. include all students in public, military, and UNRWA schools, beneftting more than • Teachers’ Housing: King Abdullah has 1.5 million students. Prior to the start of consistently pursued programs that the 2006-2007 school year, King Abdullah encourage more young people to be also contributed 110,000 schoolbags to teachers. The Ministry of Education public school students in grades 1-12, now ofers scholarships for aspiring focusing on students living in poor areas. teachers, while the King himself has Each schoolbag contained all the required initiated programs to provide high- stationery and school supplies. quality subsidized housing for teachers, particularly in rural and under-served • School heating project: In order to areas. improve conditions in public schools, to enhance learning, and to achieve • Student Welfare: Students’ well-being the principle of equal opportunity, King is also a critical focus for King Abdullah. Abdullah issued directives to heat all After national surveys conducted in public schools. In 2007, 31,000 heaters the 1990s revealed serious health were provided. defciencies among school children, including Vitamin A and D, as well as iron • Exemption of School Fees: To alleviate defciencies which have a detrimental parents’ fnancial burden during difcult impact on learning abilities, the King economic times, the King instructed the directed the Ministry of Planning and government to exempt all public school International Cooperation to implement students from fees for the 2008-2009 a school nutrition program. This program academic year. More than 1.3 million provides students with a healthy mid- students beneftted from this royal morning snack that includes milk, fruit, initiative, at a cost of more than 5 million and protein and vitamin-enriched JD.

56 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 However, in spite of the substantial resources that the country has spent on knowledge- According to the ARK, Jordan‘s based education and the knowledge-based results “indicate a weakness in economy, the recent Arab Knowledge Report the diferent levels of education, (AKR) from 2014 found some shocking results regarding the level of skills and knowledge particularly in the areas of of students at the university level. The cognitive communication authors of the report conducted surveys on through writing and the use of a sample of Arab youth in four Arab countries in their fnal year of university studies: UAE, languages and technology” Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco. Jordanian students ranked the lowest among all four countries in all skill areas that the report Educational and Regional was analyzing. These skills were related to: problem solving, written communication, Disparities searching for and processing information, use of technology, and use of a foreign Jordanian authorities have invested heavily language in understanding and writing17. in the expansion of the number of schools According to the AKR, Jordan’s results to make access to schools more equally “indicate a weakness in the diferent levels distributed. Yet, discrepancies remain of education, particularly in the areas of between the number of schools located in cognitive communication through writing urban and rural areas; 64 percent of schools and the use of languages and technology”.18 are located in urban areas and only 36 The AKR concluded that despite the fact percent are located in rural areas. On the that information and communication governorate level, Amman has the highest technologies (ICT) are widely used and highly proportion of schools (32 percent), followed integrated in the teaching and learning by Irbid (18 percent) and Zarqa (11 percent). processes worldwide, Arab countries in These governorates are also considered the particular are struggling to fully integrate largest in terms of population size. The lowest ICT in the education system; Jordan is not an proportion of schools are located in Tafla and exception according to the fndings of the Aqaba (2 percent in each). Figure (2-2) shows report. the distribution of schools by governorate. Figure (2-2): Distribution of of schools by governorate, 2012-2013

32%

18%

11% 8% 7% 6% 4% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2%

Irbid Balqa Zarqa Jarash Ajlun Karak Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Mafraq

Source: Ministry of Education – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 57 The 2010 Quality of Life Index (QLI) looks In terms of distance to secondary schools, the at diferent education indices and analyzes percentage of households below the average disparities across governorates. Measured QLI level was very low. Aqaba and Ma’an have by the distance to primary and secondary the highest percentages of households, with schools, 53.3 percent of households in 5 and 3 percent respectively. Figure (2-3) Jordan fall below the average QLI value. In shows the disparities in distance to primary terms of distance to primary schools, 44 and and secondary schools. 42 percent of households in Amman and Balqaa respectively live below the average QLI value . In Aqaba, Tafla, and Zarqa, the percentages are 13, 15, and 18 percent respectively.

Figure (2-3): Distance to primary and secondary school by governorate, 2010

Kingdom 46.9 52.4 Kingdom 33.5 31.6 34.9 Aqaba 56.2 43.8 Aqaba 13.1 30.1 56.7 Tafela 52.5 47.4 14.9 44 0 41.2 Tafela . Zarqa 29.3 70.4 17.7 28.9 53.4 Zarqa Irbid 28.4 71.2 22.6 33.0 44.3 Irbid Mafraq 48.3 51.3 23.2 38.9 37.8 Mafraq Ma'an 45.9 53.7 24.3 36.0 39.7 Ma'an Ajlun 46.0 53.6 33.3 46.5 20.2 Ajlun Madaba 52.3 45.9 35.3 24.5 40.2 Madaba Karak 50.2 48.7 39.2 37.1 23.7 Karak Balqa 44.2 54.4 41 5 16.1 42.4 Balqa . Amman 40.6 56.8 Amman 43.9 32.4 23.8 Jarash 44.9 50.2 Jarash 53.3 30.0 13.7 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 Below Middle Middle High Below Middle Middle High

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

The lack of enough class units in schools is Based on the overcrowding criteria, 60.1 a major issue as it results in overcrowded percent, 51.4 percent, 37.3 percent, and classrooms. There are 68,755 class units in 36.9 percent of households in Aqaba, Zarqa, Jordan. Tafla and Aqaba have the lowest Amman and Jarash fall below the average proportion of class units with 1.9 and 2.3 QLI value. Ma’an has the lowest proportion percent respectively, followed by Ajloun (2.6 of households that fall below the average percent), Ma’an (2.8 percent), and Madaba QLI value with 4 percent, followed by (2.9 percent). As Figure (2-4) shows, Amman Mafraq and Karak with 4.5 and 7.4 percent and Irbid have the highest share of class respectively. In secondary education, Zarqa units with 35.8 and 17.4 percent respectively. has the highest proportion of households below the average QLI value with 77.2 percent, while Ma’an still has the lowest proportion, 19.2 percent. Figure (2-5) shows the overcrowding in classrooms by governorate.

58 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (2-4): Distribution of class units by governorate, 2012-2013

35.8%

17.4%

12.2%

6.9% 6.8% 5.0% 3.3% 2.9% 2.6% 1.9% 2.8% 2.3%

Irbid Ajlun Balqa Zarqa Jarash Karak Tafela Ma'an Aqaba Amman Madaba Mafraq

Source: Ministry of Education – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

Figure (2-5): Overcrowding in Classrooms in basic and secondary education by governorate, 2010

Kingdom 54 39.1 6.8 Kingdom 33.0 56.6 10.4

Ma'an 19.2 64.5 16.2 Ma'an 3.9 57.5 38.6

Karak 25 60.5 14.5 Mafraq 4.5 62.9 32.6

Mafraq 27.9 50.9 21.1 Karak 7.4 70.7 21.8

Ajlun 37.5 56.3 6.2 Madaba 8.6 73.9 17.5

Jarash 39.1 52.4 8.4 Tafela 13.9 77.5 8.7

Tafela 41.8 44.5 13.6 Balqa 18.1 70.9 11.0

Madaba 44.6 41.4 13.9 Ajlun 21.0 66.4 12.6

Balqa 51.2 44.5 4.2 Irbid 30.0 62.1 7.9

Irbid 51.4 39.2 9.4 Jarash 36.9 49.0 14.0 Amman 59.4 37.1 3.6 Amman 37.3 54.9 7.8

Aqaba 71.6 25.1 3.3 Zarqa 51.4 43.7 4.8

Zarqa 77.2 19.6 3.2 Aqaba 60.1 25.9 14.0

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Below Middle Middle High Below Middle Middle High

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 59 Looking at average number of students per on the governorate level also shows that teacher, the results indicate that Zarqa has Zarqa, Amman, and Balqa have the highest the highest number of students per teacher, number of students per teacher (29.8, 26.4, 19.92, followed by Amman and Balqaa and 24.8 respectively) compared with the with 16.94 and 16.28 students respectively, lowest numbers in Ma’an, Mafraq, and Karak while Ma’an has 10.13 students per teacher (17.8, 18.8, and 20.3 respectively). and Tafla 11.01 students per teacher. The average number of students per class unit

Table (2-11): Student to class unit ratio and student to teacher ratio by governorate, 2012-2013 Average number of students Average number of per class unit students per teacher

Amman 26.36 16.94 Balqaa 24.79 16.28 Zarqa 29.87 19.92 Madaba 22.65 13.95 Irbid 25.9 15.82 Mafraq 18.78 11.52 Jerash 23.36 14.62 Ajloun 22.4 13.96 Karak 20.25 11.11 Tafla 20.84 11.01 Ma’an 17.96 10.13 Aqaba 25.68 14.99

Source: Ministry of Education – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013

The Jordan Education Initiative (JEI) is a Public-Private Partnerships global and local public-private partnership in Education: Funding that aims to improve education in Jordan through the efective use of information and Quality, and Disparities communication technologies (ICTs), while at the same time building the capacity of the Public-private partnerships (PPP) can be local ICT industry and creating a model for used to diagnose diferent factors afecting reform that other countries can mimic. The successes and failures; PPP was applied JEI has already achieved some remarkable in this way during the assessment of the results: engagement of over 30 active Jordan Education Initiative. It can also defne partners from the public and private sectors; the necessary components when building development of a full math e-curriculum an efective solution to a problem. It has two (grades 1-12); ongoing usage of in- parts: the model itself and the outcomes classroom technology and training in 50 derived from its implementation. Discovery Schools; transfer of ~$3.7 million to local companies that are participating in the JEI programs; and, initial steps to expand the model to other countries in the Middle East. The Jordan Education Initiative has

60 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 brought together a wide range of global and local organizations from the private, The JEI has already achieved public, and non-governmental sectors. International private companies provided some remarkable results: much of the project’s initial leadership, engagement of over 30 active vision and resources, and it covered partners from the public and funding gaps and implemented innovative programs in some schools. The local ICT private sectors; development industry has been responsible for the day- of a full math e-curriculum to-day implementation of many of the (grades 1-12); ongoing most advanced programs (e.g., e-curricula development), and has provided important deployment of in-classroom encouragement and entrepreneurial skills. technology and training Some bigger local companies have even to 50 Discovery Schools; played the same role as international private companies by funding and leading transfer of ~$3.7 million to programs and providing overall project local companies as part of JEI management. Finally, academics have programs; and, initial steps been called upon to provide international education expertise and best practices to expand the model to other and to monitor the ongoing impact of the countries in the Middle East initiative. However, the partnership structure is highly fexible – there is more than one partnership model within the JEI. This aligns with the decentralized nature of the Jordan and facilitation of partner activities. The Education Initiative. While there is a central responsibility for program implementation Program Management Ofce, it is a small and delivery of results rests with the partners body whose role is limited to coordination themselves.

Figure (2-6): Key partners of the Jordanian education initiative

Key partners of the Jordan Education Initiative

Non-governmental sector Private Sector Public sector NGOs/Foundations Academics Global Cisco Systems* US government Cisco Learning University of Keele Computer Associates* USAID Institute Corning Cable Systems MEPI (US State Krach Family Dell Dept.) Foundation 19 DHL British Council Reuters Digital France Telecome/Jordan North Virginia Vision Foundation Telecom Technology Council World Economic HP Form Intel World Links Microsoft Pearsons Local Vector Capital/ Commerical Ware Jordanian Int@j Aramex government Netcorps Jordan e-Dimensions Ministry of Young Fastlink Education Entrepreneurs 15 Intaj Ministry of ICT Association ITG Ministry of Jordan Menhaj Planning MobileCom Other Razorview govrnment Rubicon agencies STS Synttex Total= 35 22 4 8 1

* Initiative Partners

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 61 Conclusions Providing incentives to the private sector could strengthen the opportunities for Basic, secondary, and higher education is public-private partnerships, which could be available in all regions of the Jordan. Both a tool to bridge these regional disparities the public and private sectors, including in Jordan. The Jordan Education Initiative UNRWA, provide education services as well (JEI) is a public-private partnership with as after school programs. both domestic and international partners that seek to improve education in Jordan However, from a regional perspective, the through efective use of information and noticeable discrepancy between the number communication technologies (ICTs). At the of schools located in urban and rural areas; same time, the JEI also builds the capacity 64 percent of schools are located in urban of the local ICT industry and aims to create areas but only 36 percent are located in rural a model for education reform for other areas. On the governorate level, Amman has countries to mimic. the highest number of schools (32 percent), followed by Irbid (18 percent), and Zarqa (11 According to participants in three workshops percent), which is reasonable since these that were held in preparation for this report governorates are the most populated. The in Amman, Irbid, and Ma’an, the quality of all lowest number of schools were found in levels of education needs to be improved. Tafla and Aqaba (2 percent in each). The lack The participants in both the Irbid and Ma’an of sufcient class units causing overcrowding workshop also pointed to the issue of quality in classrooms is another big concern. Out of disparities in education between the capital a total of 68,755 class units in the Jordan, of Amman and the other governorates as Tafla and Aqaba have the lowest proportion well as between main cities and rural areas (1.9 percent and 2.3 percent respectively), within the same governorates. Furthermore, followed by Ajloun (2.6 percent), Ma’an (2.8 policy makers need to pay more attention to percent), and Madaba (2.9 percent). vocational education in order to increase the enrollment of students in these programs. Zarqa has the highest number of students per teacher (19.92), followed by Amman and Balqaa, 16.94 and 16.28 respectively, while Ma’an has 10.13 students per teacher and Tafla has 11.01 students per teacher. The number of student per class unit are highest in Zarqa (29.8), Amman (26.4), and Balqaa (24.8). The numbers are lowest in Ma’an (17.8), Mafraq (18.8), and Karak (20.3).

There is a noticeable discrepancy in the proportion of schools between urban and rural areas. 64 percent of schools are located in urban areas while only 36 percent are located in rural areas. On the governorate level, Amman has the highest proportion of schools with 32 percent, followed by Irbid with 18 percent, and Zarqa with 11 percent. These governorates are also the most populated areas of the country.

62 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

HEALTH

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 63 CHAPTER THREE HEALTH

64 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Introduction The Jordanian health sector Over the past decades, the Jordanian health is fairly advanced and sector has developed into a relatively modern system that provides both advanced has improved the health medical services and basic primary care at status of the population. comparatively low costs to patients. The Life expectancy at birth health care system is characterized by a clear separation between the public and the increased from 69.9 to 73.7 private sector, both with respect to service years between 1990 and provision and health fnancing. Furthermore, 2012, which is higher than the Government of Jordan has introduced various reform measures to improve the the MENA region’s average of performance of the sector in several areas, 72.2 years. including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Notwithstanding these achievements, The Jordanian health sector is fairly advanced the Jordanian health sector continues to and has improved the health status of the face several challenges with respect to its population over the last twenty years. Life organization, funding, and governance. First, expectancy at birth increased from 69.9 the relationship between the public and years in 1990 to 73.7 years in 2012, which is private sectors is not well regulated, which higher than the MENA region’s average of results in inefcient service delivery. Second, 72.2 years. The Jordan Population and Family even within the public health system, Health Survey (JPFHS) from 2012 found that several large and smaller providers and fund there has been signifcant progress towards holders compete for resources with no or attaining the health-related millennium little overall coordination with respect to the 19 development goals (MDGs). The maternal allocation of resources, further undermining mortality ratio (MMR) declined from 86 the overall efciency of the system. Finally, per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 50 in there are some inherent organizational and 20 2013. Child mortality indicators have also governance limitations in the system, which improved. The infant mortality rate (IMR) has generate signifcant inequalities when it been reduced from 34 per 1,000 live births in comes to accessing and paying for services. 1990 to 17 in 2012. In the same period (1990- Important to note is that the apparent 2012), the under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) has challenges in the public health system – also declined; from 39 to 21 per 1,000 live particularly as they relate to the quality births. With these improvements in child of service delivery – and the perceived and maternal health, Jordan performs better advantages of certain aspects of the private than many other countries of similar income sector, generate a sense of mistrust in the level, both within and outside of the MENA health system among the general public. region. These outcomes can be explained A key challenge for the GOJ is to restore by several factors, including relatively high this trust by developing a well-articulated levels of literacy, access to preventative reform plan that aims to provide all citizens and curative services, and improvements with qualitative formal health coverage in an in water and sanitation. Moreover, Jordan efective, efcient, and equitable manner. has reached almost universal coverage in terms of antenatal care, births attended by a skilled health professional, and child immunization.21

The Jordanian health sector continues to face several important challenges. First, the relationship between the public and private sectors is not well regulated. Second, there is no to little overall coordination with respect to the allocation of resources. Third, there are some inherent organizational and governance limitations in the system.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 65 The main public health care providers and payers/administrators (TPP/TPA) to manage fund holders are the Ministry of Health the health insurance programs on behalf (MOH), the Royal Medical Services (RMS), and of larger companies and corporations that the University Hospitals (Jordan University provide insurance for their staf. However, Hospital-JUH, and King Abdullah University the private health insurance market is not Hospital-KAUH). In addition to these actors, well regulated with respect to premiums there is a number of specialist health care and benefts packages, which weakens providers, including the King Hussein Cancer the overall performance of the health care Center (KHCC), that are funded through the system. 23 general budget. In 2013, the total number of hospitals in Jordan reached 103 and the Policy-makers who are responsible for number of hospital beds reached 12,060 developing Jordan’s health care system (compared to 11,355 beds in 2009). Of these, need to take into careful consideration the 3,989 were in private hospitals. various economic interests that in diferent ways afect the performance and direction of The MOH manages the Civil Insurance the sector. Most private hospitals, and many Program (CIP), which is the largest health public providers as well, have articulated insurance program for civil servants. strategies to tap into the growing market The CIP is funded by contributions from of medical tourism to attract clients from employees, but these contributions do not the region. However, by doing so, they have generally refect the actual cost of services neglected the importance of establishing and, furthermore, have not been revised to branches in areas less populated by tourists, account for price increases in several years. leaving the vast majority of private health These insufciencies, in combination with providers situated in the capital, Amman. several weaknesses on the purchasing side, For example, private Jordanian hospitals have undermined the fnancial sustainability treated around a quarter of a million foreign of the civil insurance fund (CIF) under the CIP. patients in 2013, and the university hospitals are making investments to cater to these The RMS manages the Military Insurance clients as well. In developing the medical Fund (MIF), which covers health care tourism sector, Jordan also needs to balance for military staf and similar population the demands of this market with the needs groups, such as high ranking ofcials. The of the domestic population. contributions of the members of the MIF are very low (ranging from 2.5 JD to 5 JD per Another area of critical economic importance month) and, as in the case of the CIP, do not is the pharmaceutical sector. The Jordanian refect the costs of services. This destabilizes medical industry has developed its capacity the fnancial conditions of the Jordanian both with respect to the production of health care system and may impact the pharmaceutical products and to the research broader fscal position of the government. and development of new medicines. Today, the pharmaceutical sector is among the There are approximately 64 private largest sources of export earnings for the hospitals, of various sizes, and a large country and its further development will number of general practitioners and medical partly depend on the country’s ability to train specialists. These hospitals are used both a sufcient number of skilled professionals in by patients who pay out of pocket and by diferent disciplines both inside and outside those covered by private health insurance of the medical sector. It is worth mentioning (approximately 8 percent of those with that the general health care sector also formal health insurance coverage), as well requires some of these professionals, such as MOH patients covered by the CIP who as pharmacists, physicians, and biomedical have been referred for services not provided experts, which may cause labor supply in public hospitals. There are a relatively conficts as these professionals are scarce large number of insurance companies that already. operate under the regulatory supervision of the Insurance Commission (IC)22 which ofer Organizational, regulatory, and economic health insurance policies to both individuals issues related to the health sector are all and employees of private companies. Private compounded by, and partly the result of, insurance companies also act as third-party the overall political context of the country.

66 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Areas such as rule of law, public fnancial Based on the assumption that some 30 management, and voice and participation in percent of the population lack insurance, public decision making all afect the health estimates suggest that it would be fnancially care system. As the GoJ continues its reform possible to extend coverage under the eforts, it is important to align the interests current budget allocation by reallocating of the general public with those of specifc resources from ad-hoc coverage programs. health care providers, the largest of which This would also reduce the fragmentation of are the MOH and the RMS. Furthermore, the Jordanian pooling arrangements. the performance of the health sector, including the health fnancing system, is An overview of the Jordanian health sector undermined by the ad-hoc nature of access would not be complete without shedding to subsidized health care through diferent light on the current Syrian refugee crisis, channels. These opportunities create serious which poses challenges to overall sector insufciencies in resource allocation and in performance. Unlike other host countries, a the ability to develop a strong, reliable, and signifcant proportion of the Syrian refugees sustainable health fnancing system based in Jordan reside outside camps and live on the transparent application of rules and in local communities. This has increased regulations. the demand for social services, especially health care and education, and in turn, In terms of regulatory bodies and health overstretched public service provision. The care providers at the district level, a number GoJ Rapid Response Plan estimated that the of regulatory challenges persist. While total cost of hosting one million refugees in rules and regulations may be in place, 2013 was US $850 million. More specifcally, the actual enforcement is often weak. In the cost to the health sector was estimated some instances, this is the result of weak at approximately US $93.6 million due to a monitoring of processes and functions by signifcant increase in demand for services medical and clerical staf at the clinical level. (especially for surgical care) provided by In other situations, it is caused by actors MOH facilities. Furthermore, many Jordanian who exert political and economic infuence patients have been unable to receive medical over the regulatory bodies in order to care in areas with large refugee populations. receive exemptions or avoid penalties. In The refugee crisis has also resulted in the order to address these challenges, the GoJ reemergence of various diseases within should develop measures to strengthen the Jordanian host communities. accountability of service providers and fund holders in the health sector, so that they In summary, the main challenges facing the deliver high quality services in a transparent health care sector are the following: and unbiased manner. - Scarcity of fnancial resources needed to Jordan is experiencing an epidemiological provide full coverage and insurance for all transition; the rates of communicable citizens. diseases are declining while non- - Lack of national clinical manuals and communicable diseases and injuries are therapeutic protocols. on the rise. The main causes of death are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and - Disparity in the quality of health services diabetes, which are all projected to continue between the diferent entities within the to increase. The economic costs of these and health sector and between geographic other health-related conditions should be areas. counted in fractions of national income. - Weak coordination between the private It is not possible to identify the exact and public sectors. number of people who are covered by health insurance in Jordan. Based on various - A highly centralized health care system. surveys, it is estimated that between 70 - Lack of accountability and weak and 93 percent of the total population monitoring and evaluation systems for are covered by formal health insurance, both the public and private sectors. including those with duplicate coverage.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 67 revenues and service provision, including in Public-Private Partnerships the public sector. As noted, the government in Health Services: Funding, will continue to be one of the largest sources of health revenues and to play a central role Quality, and Disparities in service provision in the coming years.

a. Fiscal An analysis of Jordan’s national health accounts shows that the government’s share Jordan is confronted with macroeconomic of total health expenditure has increased and fscal constraints. It faces several critical over the past decade. Around two-thirds of public health, life-style, and epidemiological all health care spending is public. Around challenges and a rise in non-communicable 76 percent is for curative services and only diseases (NCDs), all of which are likely to around 16 percent is for primary health care. require increased expenditures in the future. Other factors, including the contents of the In 2012, 1,665,014,650 JD was spent on benefts packages, also indicate a strong health care and health care expenditures focus on curative services in the Jordanian represented 7.58 percent of GDP. 10.5 health care system. percent of GoJ’s total budget was allocated The historically high levels of out-of-pocket to health care. (OOP) payments for health services have Today, approximately one third of Jordan’s gone down. However, at around 31 percent population is under the age of 15 and one of total health spending, OOP payments ffth is between the ages of 15 and 24. As continue to be relatively common. this large cohort of youth grows older, it Households use OOP payments primarily will increase the pressure on the Jordanian to pay for pharmaceuticals. Although this health care system, especially if many of type of spending has decreased in the past the risk factors – particularly for NCDs – go few years, Jordanians continue to pay a unaddressed. Further, the ongoing Syrian comparatively large share of its total health crisis, which has resulted in a massive infux spending on drugs. Moreover, an analysis of of 629,627 refugees to Jordan (ofcially household survey data shows that there are registered refugees, as of October 2015), most signifcant inequalities in OOP expenditures of whom receive free or cheap care, requires between socioeconomic groups, geographic signifcant government expenditures in an regions, and urban and rural areas. OOP already tight fscal environment. payments vary signifcantly across Jordan’s governorates, from around 60 JD per year in Jordan’s health system is highly fragmented Ajloun to 300 JD in Amman. The majority of and revenues are mobilized from a range of rich households live in Amman which help both public and private sources. This leads explain these diferences. Figure (3-1) below to further fragmentation on the pooling of presents this data in more detail.

Figure (3-1): Household OOP spending by governorate and Country Average, 2010 (JD)

400 307.4 300 235.4 212.9 200 153 165.6 113.3 117.3 113.5 92.4 109.2 100 82.7 88.7 61.7 0

Irbid Ajlun Jarash Zarqa Balqa Aqaba Ma'an Tafela Karak Jordan Mafraq Madaba Amman

Source: Information from Department of Statistics data sets

68 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 There are diferent patterns in per capita to increase over the coming decades if no OOP payments in urban areas compared to health fnancing reform is implemented. rural districts, as shown in Figure (4-2) below. In particular, toward the end of the 2020s, Jordanians who live in rural areas spend Jordan is expected to spend approximately around 50 percent less on OOP payments 14 percent of its GDP on health. In order to than those who live in urban areas. create a fscal space for these expenditures over the coming years, sustained economic Based on data on the utilization of growth and reform of the expenditure and health services, demographic trends, and collection system of the health sector are macroeconomic scenarios, Jordan’s health necessary. expenditures as a share of GDP are expected

Figure (3- 2): Per Capita OOP payments by governorates, country average, and urban/rural areas, 2010 (JD)

80 60 60.4 44 39.7 43.4 40 26.3 31 19 20.8 14.9 15.8 19.6 17.5 19.4 21.8 20 10.3 0

Irbid Ajlun Rural Jarash Zarqa Balqa Aqaba Ma'an Tafela Karak Jordan Urban Mafraq Madaba Amman

Source:Information from Department of Statistics data sets b. Quality By the end of the 2020s, The Government of Jordan has introduced a range of reform measures, including a Jordan is expected to spend recently adopted strategy, to enhance the approximately 14 percent of regulatory performance of the sector in its GDP on the health sector. In various areas, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The strategy focuses order to create a fscal space for on both human resource development and these expenditures, sustained the improvement of health coverage and economic growth and reform of 24 infrastructure in Jordan. the expenditure and collection To ensure, and enhance, the quality of health system of the health sector are services, the MOH implemented a quality control program in 1993 that covered a necessary. number of public hospitals. In 1999, the MOH institutionalized the process by accreditation project and in 2007, the Health establishing a Directorate for quality control Care Accreditation Council (HCAC) sought in the Ministry. The Directorate was in charge to improve the safety of health services of designing quality criteria for MOH health and facilities by adopting internationally services providers. This has been deemed accepted standards and building capacities efective, but not fully sufcient, as it did on accreditation. To this day, 17 hospitals not ensure that all health service providers and 42 health centers have been accredited were providing quality services. In 2003, the by the Council. Higher Health Council adopted the hospital

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 69 There is still a dire need to strengthen defnition of youth. Various international health ethics and principles among entities defne, and delineate, youth in providers to ensure better quality of health diferent ways, which makes it difcult to services, which is one area that the HCAC collect and analyze data. This does not only is currently working on. Further, it is crucial serve as an impediment to analysis but also to decentralize the administration of the makes it more difcult to prevent future health sector. Limited resources, high costs diseases and burdens on the health system, of health services, and weak capacities of the especially considering the large number governorates continue to limit these eforts of young people in Jordan. It is crucial to however. Decentralizing health services is develop a strategy that seeks to spread another way to ensure quality and increased awareness nationally about how youth can coverage. Decentralization would also prevent diseases caused by their existing help limit disparities between the diferent habits and lifestyles. To this day, there is no regions in the country. However, it needs Directorate that specifcally works on youth to be acknowledged that decentralization health at the Ministry of Health. is difcult to implement considering the current fnancial situation. It will require As mentioned earlier in this section, there are better capacities of personnel, a large many indicators on women and health. One increase of fnancial resources for the health of the previous MDGs is to improve maternal sector and, most importantly, political will. health. The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) looks at diferent indicators that relate It is clear that there is a scarcity of to maternal health, such as: childbearing adequate strategies in place to strengthen age; childbearing rates; marital status; and transparency in the health sector. In use of reproductive health products. order to empower citizens, strengthen accountability, and inform patients of their In 2012, 27.3 percent of females between the rights concerning medical errors, a health ages of 15 and 49 were overweight. Almost accountability law should be implemented. one third of all females between the ages of 30 and 39 were overweight (the age group with the highest prevalence). It is slightly Health Care and Human more common among females residing in rural areas (28.7 percent) compared to Development: Youth and urban areas (27 percent). In regards to Gender Dimensions obesity, 27.4 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 were obese in 2012. Health is one of the most important factors It was most common in the Mafraq and in the development and empowerment Tafleh governorates (32.3 and 31.9 percent of youth and women. Jordan’s current respectively) and least common in the Ma’an demography will be a challenge for the and Amman governorates (25.9 and 26.5 health care sector in the future. For example, percent respectively). the number of females in childbearing age The 2010 Quality of Life Index (QLI) measured (15-49) is expected to increase from 1.7 the distance to maternity and child health million in 2012 to 2.1 million in 2022. This will centers in diferent governorates. Based not only increase birth rates but it will also on this criteria, 22.5 percent of households increase the demand for maternal, curative, in Mafraq, 20.1 percent in Jerash, and 16.4 and primary health care services. percent in Karak fall below the average There are various indicators that provide QLI value . Tafleh (1.8 percent), Aqaba (3.4 information on health and gender, but fewer percent), and Irbid (6.6 percent) had the indicators on health and youth. This scarcity lowest proportion of households below the 25 is partly due to the lack of an international average QLI level.

70 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (3-3): Distance to maternity and childhood health Centers

Kingdom 11.3 46 42.7 Tafela 1.8 53.3 44.9 Aqaba 3.4 20.3 76.3 Irbid 6.6 46.9 46.4 Zarqa 6.9 27.1 66 Ma'an 7.8 39.2 52.9 Ajlun 9.1 57.6 33.3 Madaba 10 24.5 65.6 Balqa 13.2 44.8 42.1 Amman 13.5 56.6 29.9 Karak 16.4 45.3 38.2 Jarash 20.1 33.9 46 Mafraq 22.5 38.7 38.8

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Below Middle Middle High

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

government hospitals are: Wadi Arabah Regional Health Disparities (1.9 percent), Mraighah (1.8 percent), in Jordan Salhiyyeh (1.8 percent), and Dair Al-Kahf (13.9 percent). One fourth of households Studies indicate that Jordan’s health care visit health centers in Ghour El-Saf and sector, even though it has wide coverage, Quaira. is unequally dispersed across the diferent - In 8 out of 12 poverty pockets, 0-4.7 regions. The continuous infux of refugees percent of households use an ambulance into Jordan will result in additional burdens for emergency purposes: Wadi Arabah, on the health system. As of 2015, there are Mraighah, Al-Azraq, Salhiyyeh, Dair Al- around 2.5 million non-Jordanians residing Kahf, Hoasha, Borma, and Al-Rweished. in the country, of which 1.4 million are Nearly a ffth of households in Wadi Syrians; most of them live in the northern Arabah reported walking to hospitals and governorates.26 Unfortunately, this situation health centers. will further increase the disparity in health services in these governorates. 27 - Al-Azraq has the highest proportion of households (17 percent) who report that As mentioned earlier in the chapter, there lack of health insurance is a constraint to are a variety of indicators to assess the health access to health facilities. status of citizens, and diferent studies and reports use diferent indicators and - In Al-Ruwaished and Mraighah, 50 percent data sources. In order to analyze regional of households complain that there are health disparities, it is necessary to look at no specialized doctors available in health administrative records. For example, the centers. poverty pocket survey in Jordan found that: - 35-55 percent of households in all 12 - The sub-districts with the lowest poverty pockets complained of poor percentage of households visiting services.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 71 - In Ghour Al-Mazra’a, 12.5 percent of households complained of high costs of There are huge regional health services. disparities in terms of the number - 6 percent of households in Ghour Al- of hospital and hospital beds Mazra’a had children (under the age of 18) with disabilities. • Jerash and Ma’an have 2 hospitals each. Large regional disparities exist in regards to The two hospitals in Jerash have 171 beds, the provision of hospital and hospital beds. of which 12 are in a private hospital. Ma’an The annual health statistical data book for has 205 beds; all of them are in public 2013 concluded the following hospitals.

• Amman has 51 hospitals and 6,729 beds, of • Lastly, Ajloun and Tafleh have 1 hospital which 2,966 beds are in private hospitals. each and 130 and 106 beds respectively; none of the beds are in private hospitals. • Irbid has 17 hospitals and 1,927 beds, of which 326 are in private hospitals. Child mortality rates also vary across regions, governorates, and types of residence. In • Zarqa has 8 hospitals and 953 beds, of 2012, the highest mortality rates for infants which 315 beds are in private hospitals. and children below the age of 5 were • Balqaa has 6 hospitals and 773 beds, all of observed in the southern region (22 and 26 which are in public hospitals. per 1,000 live births respectively). The lowest mortality rate for children under the age of 5 • Karak has 6 hospitals and 394 beds, of was observed in the north (19 per 1,000 live which 100 beds are in private hospitals. births). The central and northern regions had similar infant mortality rates; 17 per 1,000 • Mafraq has 4 hospitals and 242 beds, of live births. In addition, there are signifcant which 40 beds are in private hospitals. diferences in child mortality rates across governorates. The IMR and U5MR were • Aqaba and Madaba have 3 hospitals. highest in the Tafleh governorate (26 and 31 Aqaba has 263 beds, of which 80 are in per 1,000 live births respectively). The lowest private hospitals; Madaba has 188 beds, of IMR and U5MR were observed in Ajloun (14 which 30 are in private hospitals. and 16 per 1,000 live births respectively). Child mortality rates are higher in urban centers than they are in rural areas. 28

Figure (3-4): Child Mortality Jordan, 2012

Infant Mortality Rate Under-5 Mortality Rate Ajlun Balqa Zarqa Irbid Irbid Amman Jarash Jordan Jarash Amman Karak Mafraq Mafraq Ma'an Aqaba Aqaba Madaba Tafela Tafela 0 5 10 15 20 25 0 10 20 30

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013a

72 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Another important indicator is the are overweight. In urban areas, 27 percent of prevalence of diarrhea, which was especially all women are overweight. Obesity, across common among children between 6 and 11 genders, is most common in the Mafraq and months (32 percent of children sufered from Tafla governorates (32.3 and 31.9 percent diarrhea) as well as children between 12 and respectively) and rarest in Ma’an and Amman 23 months (27.8 percent). In Aqaba, about (25.9 and 26.5 percent respectively). 8 percent of children under fve sufered from diarrhea, the lowest rate among all Micronutrient defciencies, particularly governorates. In comparison, almost 20 iron defciency anemia, iodine defciency percent of children under the age of fve disorders, and vitamin A defciencies afect residing in Jerash sufered from diarrhea the lives of many children and women (the highest rate in Jordan). Overall, diarrhea across the world. In addition to the adverse was more common among children under efects on peoples’ health, micronutrient the age of 5 residing in the northern region defciencies also have serious consequences (17 percent), compared to those living in for the economic development of a the central and southern regions (16 and 11 country since these defciencies impact an percent respectively). Despite the high rates, individual’s productivity and work capacity. only about 56 percent of parents sought The high prevalence of iron defciency and advice or treatment from a health facility or anemia among children and women is a provider. signifcant problem in Jordan. About one- third of all Jordanian children under the age Approximately 7 percent of all Jordanian of fve, and women between the ages of 15 children under the age of 5 showed and 49, are anemic. Anemia is particularly symptoms of acute respiratory infections common among children between 6 to 8 (ARI) in 2012. ARI was most common among months (61.3 percent), and women between infants between 6 and 11 months (almost 10 the ages of 40 and 49 (37.4 percent). percent), followed by children aged 12 to 23 Approximately 12.4 percent of children, and months (8.4 percent) and those between 24 7 percent of women, sufer from moderate and 35 months (8 percent). About 9 percent anemia, while 19.7 percent of children, and of all children under the age of 5 in the 26 percent of women, face mild anemia. Jerash governorate showed ARI symptoms The prevalence of anemia varies between (the highest prevalence), compared to 5 governorates. Among children, it is most percent in the Madaba governorate (the common in Ma’an (38.1 percent), followed lowest rate). Approximately 77 percent by Balqaa and Ajloun (37.5 and 37.2 percent of all parents to children under the age respectively). The lowest prevalence rates of 5 showing ARI symptoms had sought are in Tafleh and Madaba (21.9 and 24.6 treatment from a health facility or provider, percent respectively). Among women, and almost 87 percent of these children anemia is most common in Balqaa (39.7 received antibiotics. percent), Ajloun (38.9 percent), and Zarqa (38.4 percent). 29 Obesity is mainly caused by high intake of high-fat content food products coupled with The 2010 QLI found that 17.1 percent of physical inactivity (mainly due to urbanization the population has a health status that and advancements in transportation). is considered below average. This part of These conditions are among the major risk the population is mainly concentrated in factors associated with non-communicable Amman (26.3 percent), Balqaa (14.2 percent), diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. and Zarqa (13.8 percent). 30 28.7 percent of women residing in rural areas

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 73 Figure (3-5): Health index by governorate

30.0 26.3 25.0 20.0 17.1 14.2 13.8 15.0 11.5 10.2 10.0 9.3 9.2 8.9 8.5 7.8 6.6 6.5 5.0 0.0

Balqa Zarqa Karak Ajlun Irbid Mafraq Jarash Ma'an Aqaba Tafela Amman Madaba Kingdom

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

The QLI also measured the distance to the Conclusion closest military or public hospital. Based on this criteria, 66.8 percent, 62.4 percent This chapter has shown that the disparities and 49.9 percent of households in Mafraq, in the health sector mainly are caused by the Karak, and Ma’an respectively, fall below the uneven provision of health services by the average QLI value. private and public sector. Jordan’s capital, Amman, provides the majority of private The distance to the closest health center medical services. The bed/patient ratio was also measured in the QLI. Based on this also difers between governorates. Some criteria, 0.9 percent, 1.8 percent, and 3.2 governorates, like Ma’an, Jerash, Ma’an, percent of households in Madaba, Tafleh, Ajloun, and Tafleh, have a signifcantly lower and Aqaba respectively, fall below the bed/patient ratio than other governorates. average QLI value. In Jerash, Amman, and In addition, there are no hospital beds Mafraq, 25 percent, 31.1 percent, and 12.4 available in private hospitals in Ajloun and percent respectively, fall below the average Tafleh. QLI value. The current Syrian refugee crisis has The QLI also looked at the prevalence of increased the burden on Jordan’s already smoking. The majority of households with strained health sector, especially in the host a health status below the average smoke communities in the northern governorates. daily. Households living in Madaba, Irbid, The large number of patients and the danger and Ajloun have the highest proportion of of new (or returning) epidemics and diseases smokers: 66.8 percent, 63.8 percent, and will pose challenges in the future. 63.7 percent respectively. In Tafleh, Jerash, and Mafraq, the rates are 55.9 percent, 57.7 Infant mortality rates are higher in the percent, and 60.1 percent respectively. southern regions of the country. The national infant mortality rate is within international Furthermore, the QLI index also looked at standards however, and Jordan’s MDG the number of individuals with disabilities. indicators that relate to infant mortality Based on this criteria, 34.7 percent, 28.4 rates have been achieved. Another indicator percent, and 27.1 percent of individuals in that was discussed in this chapter was the Amman, Jerash, and Aqaba, respectively, smoking index. Households that have a fall below the average QLI value. The lowest health status below average usually smoke percentages were in Tafleh, Ma’an, and Karak daily and the governorates with the highest with rates of 15.8 percent, 19.5 percent, and smoking rates were Madaba (66.8 percent of 21.5 percent respectively. 31 the population smokes), Irbid (63.8 percent)

74 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (3-6): Quality of Life Index based on distance to public/military hospitals by governorate

Kingdom 22.1 31.6 46.4 Madaba 14.2 31.9 53.7 Amman 14.9 36.1 49 Aqaba 15.1 14.1 70.9 Irbid 20 39.2 40.8 Zarqa 7 18.6 74.4 Jarash 33.6 35.8 30.7 Balqa 33.6 42.2 24 Tafela 45.9 36.6 17.6 Ajlun 47.2 34 18.8 Ma'an 49.9 6.3 43.7 Karak 62.4 22.5 15.1 Mafraq 66.8 8.4 24.8

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Below Middle Middle High

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

Figure (3-7): Quality of Life Index based on distance to health centers by governorate

Kingdom 9.8 47.4 42.9 0.9 31.4 67.7 Tafela 1.8 54.4 43.7 3.2 22.4 74.4 Irbid 4.3 48.3 47.5 6.4 26.7 67.2 Ma'an 7.2 39.4 53.4 8.3 57.6 34 Karak 10 49.4 40.7 11.9 42.5 45.5 Mafraq 12.4 45.1 42.5 13.1 56.9 30.1 Jarash 25 55.2 19.8

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Below Middle Middle High

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 75 Figure (3-8): Smoking Index by Governorate

Smoking Index According to Governorate

Tafela 55.9 Jarash 57.7 Mafraq 60.1 Ma'an 60.3 Aqaba 60.5 Amman 61.5 Karak 61.7 Balqa 61.9 Zarqa 62.3 Ajlun 63.7 Irbid 63.8 Madaba 66.9 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b

and Ajloun (63.7 percent). The governorates In the workshop on health care that was with the lowest rates were Tafleh (55.9 held in Amman during the research phase percent), Jerash (57.7 percent), and Mafraq of this report, participants urged for the (60.1 percent). Based on this QLI criteria of implementation of capacity building and the distance to health centers, 0.9 percent, quality assurance programs in health care 1.8 percent, and 3.2 percent of households institutions in Jordan, especially in those in Madaba, Tafleh, and Aqaba respectively, institutions located outside of Amman fall below the average QLI value. In Jerash, and other main cities. Further, monitoring Amman, and Mafraq, 25 percent, 31.1 and evaluation procedures need to be percent, and 12.4 percent respectively, fall put in place to ensure the commitment of below the average QLI value. Finally, the health care providers to best practices. The QLI index also looked at the number of participants in the workshop also raised individuals with disabilities. Based on this concerns about the lack of human resources criteria, 34.7 percent, 28.4 percent, and 27.1 and equipment in many medical public percent of individuals in Amman, Jerash, and centers in rural areas. Aqaba, respectively, fall below the average QLI value. The lowest percentages were in Tafleh, Ma’an, and Karak with rates of 15.8 percent, 19.5 percent, and 21.5 percent respectively. 32

76 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 77 CHAPTER FOUR EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD

78 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Introduction In 2013, 1,444,699 individuals The Jordanian labor market continues to made up the Jordanian sufer from external shocks that repeatedly labor force. The public sector increase market defciencies and make it employs 39 percent of this more difcult for policy makers to alleviate unemployment. The Arab Spring did not labor force, and the private only draw attention to the issue of youth sector 61 percent. unemployment, but it also resulted in the Syrian crisis and a huge infux of Syrian refugees into the Jordanian labor market. Unemployment is considered the most Many Syrians have replaced Jordanians in pressing challenge facing Jordan’s economy the labor market and expanded the already even though the unemployment rate large informal sector. went down from 12.9 percent in 2009 to 12.6 percent in the third quarter of 2013. Jordan’s labor market is considered a The high unemployment rate is a result source of highly qualifed labor, but also of various factors, such as demographic an importer of low skilled labor for certain transformations, which has led to a large sectors (agriculture, construction, services, number of new individuals in the labor and manufacturing). The most signifcant market, and a lack of synchronization characteristic of the labor market is its between educational outputs and the actual low participation rates; 40.1 percent of needs of the labor market. The current wage Jordanians aged 15 and older were employed gap is partly a result of foreign workers in 2009, but in 2013, this rate had declined taking jobs that Jordanians are unwilling to to 37.1 percent. Women’s participation went perform. Unemployment rates vary between down as well, from 14.9 percent in 2009 to governorates. In 2013, Tafleh had the 13.2 percent in 2013. The percentage of highest unemployment rate (17.1 percent), employed males was 54 percent in 2013. while Amman (10.5 percent) and Jerash (12.3 percent) had relatively low rates. 35 the Jordanian labor force included 1,444,699 individuals. The public sector hires 39 According to data from the Social Security percent of the total labor force, compared Corporation (SSC), 1,051,798 individuals were to 61 percent for the private sector. 84.4 covered by social security at the end of 2013. percent of the labor force are men; 15.6 This means that 70 percent of all employees percent are females.33 The number of were insured through social security. Around registered foreign workers at the Ministry 61 percent of the total active labor force are of Labor (MoL) went down from 335,707 in insured, which indicates that the insurance 2009 to 286,197 in 2013; foreign workers coverage of the corporation has expanded. comprise 19.8 percent of Jordan’s total labor The SSC has also introduced two new social force. Foreigners mainly work in agriculture, insurances: the maternity insurance and the forestry and fshing, manufacturing unemployment insurance, which were both industries, personal and social services, activated at the beginning of September household livelihood activities (such as 2011. This was an important step towards business owners, production of goods, etc.), achieving comprehensive social protection retail, maintenance, construction, and food for workers and their families in Jordan. 36 services.34 As mentioned in the frst chapter of this report, the Gender Gap Index (GGI) from 2014 indicated that Jordan ranked 139 out of 143 countries in regards to female labor force participation. The female participation

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 79 rate is still very low, and the gender gap continues to favor males. Most working The Gender Gap Index (GGI) females are employed in the education 2014 ranked Jordan number sector. On the educational attainment index of the GGI, Jordan ranked 74. On the health 139 out of 143 countries on and survival index, it ranked 127, and on the indicator for female labor the political empowerment index, it ranked participation. 119.37

Data from 2013 indicate that individuals who Third, the vocational education and have an educational level of basic literacy, training system in Jordan is considered but who lack formal education, accounted weak, unorganized, and unsatisfactory for 1.7 percent of the total number of by students and their families. The ETVET unemployed. Individuals with a vocational sector is fragmented and sufers from weak apprenticeship accounted for only 0.6 coordination as the private sector is not percent. The percentage increases to 39.7 for involved as much as it should be in the those lacking secondary education and 38.1 process of designing necessary training for those with a bachelor’s degree. Graduate programs. The number of unemployed degree holders comprise 1.7 percent of the university and college graduates is high, and unemployed, intermediate diploma holders those with a high school degree or below comprise 10.1 percent, and people with comprise around half (50.3 percent) of all secondary education make up 8.1 percent of unemployed. the unemployed. Fourth, the wide informal sector is also a Individuals between the ages of 15-19 sign of labor market defciency. Although comprise 10.5 percent of all unemployed; ofcial data is scarce, the fndings of a recent people between the ages of 20-24 comprise study by MoPIC indicated that informal 37.55 percent; 25-29 year olds make up employment represents 44 percent of all 24.9 percent; and 30-34 year olds comprise employment in the Jordanian economy. 10.8 percent. As individuals get older, the In 2010, 487,861 individuals worked in the unemployment rates decrease. People informal sector, and 744,724 worked in the between the ages of 35-39 make up 6.9 formal sector. In private frms that employ percent of the unemployed; people between less than fve workers, informal workers the ages of 40-44 comprise 5.2 percent; 45- represent 92 percent of all employees. In 49 year olds comprise 2.7 percent; 50-54 frms that have fve to nine employees, year olds make up 0.9 percent; and people informal workers comprise 68 percent, at the age of 50 and older comprise only 0.6 while frms with 100 employees or more percent. have approximately 10 percent informal Numerous defcits characterize the workers.38 It is estimated that this percentage Jordanian labor market, all of which are has increased signifcantly due to the large highly important to address. First of all, the infux of Syrian refugees. weak synchronization between the supply There has been a decline of foreign demand and demand in the labor market has been for Jordanian labor as a result of both fewer a challenge. This does not only cause a investments in those countries which have discrepancy between educational outputs been traditional markets for Jordanian labor, and the jobs available in the labor market, as well as an implementation of policies in but it also creates frustration among youth these countries that favor domestic labor who are unable to fnd jobs that match their over foreign. The low retirement age in skills. Second, as mentioned above, Jordan’s Jordan causes further problems. Previously, female participation rate is one of the the many Jordanians who retired early accepted lowest in the world and is a result of both jobs in the Gulf region, but due to the social and cultural factors, as well as the reasons mentioned above, it is more difcult current business environment. for these people to fnd employment opportunities abroad.

80 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 There is a large disparity between governorates in terms of the availability The female participation rate is of jobs and private sector presence. The among the lowest in the world. majority of employed individuals are concentrated in the Greater Amman area. This is a result of social and In 2013, the largest proportion of the cultural factors, as well as the workforce (61.8 percent) was concentrated current business environment. in the central region, which includes the governorates of Amman, Zarqa, Balqaa, and Madaba. 28.4 percent was concentrated in the northern region, which includes the governorates of Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash, and Ajloun. 9.8 percent of the workforce There is a large disparity was located in the southern region, which between the governorates in includes the governorates of Karak, Ma’an, Tafleh, and Aqaba. This is attributed partly terms of both the presence to the fact that the central region is home of the private sector and the to ministries, ofcial departments, public availability of jobs. Jordan, like service institutions, factories, private interests, and investments.39 In Jordan, like many other countries, has a in many other countries, the private sector concentration of private sector is mainly concentrated in the capital and big jobs in the capital and big cities. cities. Employment in Jordan Other problems facing the Jordanian labor is concentrated in the Greater market are: the relative high percentage of employment in the public sector vis-à-vis the Amman area. In 2013, the private sector; the lack of a human resources central region, which includes development policy; the fragmentation in the governorates of Amman, the SMEs and microfnance market; and weak law enforcement. Zarqa, Balqaa and Madaba had the largest proportion of The Role of MSMEs in the workforce (61.8 percent), Employment and Livelihood followed by the northern region, which includes the governorates Micro, small, and medium enterprises of Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash and (MSMEs) are often described as the Ajloun (28.4 percent), and the backbone of a nation’s economy. southern region, which includes This report will use the defnition of the governorates of Karak, MSMEs that was adopted in the 2014 SME Strategy. Micro enterprises are those with Ma’an, Tafleh, and Aqaba (9.8 fve employees or less; small enterprises percent). are those with fve to 49 employees; and medium enterprises are those with 50 to 249 employees. The defnition will also include creation generated by start-ups and frms the classifcation of non-agricultural MSMEs. that are fve years old or less. The dynamic efect of the entry and exit of enterprises In countries around the world, MSMEs also drives competition and innovation comprise 90 percent or more of all private and is considered essential to the process enterprises and generate the majority of of a country’s economic revitalization and permanent, full-time jobs. Studies have also renewal. For Jordan, the MSMEs sector could found that small frms generate the majority be one of the solutions to the problem of of new jobs, with the highest growth in job female unemployment.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 81 In 2011, the GoJ produced a National similar levels of economic development. Human Development Report (NHDR) which An analysis of MSMEs sector trends reveals focused on SMEs as a tool for development. slow growth of non-agricultural enterprises It concluded that enterprise development over the past fve years – an annual average is one of the most direct ways to grow increase of only 1.3 percent between 2006 economic assets, combat poverty, and and 2011. The net growth in the number of expand human development choices, enterprises was lowest for those with one to identifying MSMEs as instrumental to four employees (annual average of just over achieving equitable economic growth and 1 percent). On the other hand, the number social progress. Further, the report identifed of enterprises with 10-19 employees, 20-49 the pillars of human development in which employees, and more than 100 workers has MSMEs can contribute to participation increased by an average of about 4 percent and empowerment, social safety nets, and annually in each category. This could indicate environmental sustainability. a slower rate of new start-ups (since it can be assumed that start-ups often have one MSME development is also a tool for to four employees), and/or that enterprises alleviating some of the economic and social are growing and becoming bigger. The disparities between Jordan’s regions. The growth of enterprises slowed considerably government’s goal is to reduce development in the second half of the decade (down from discrepancies between governorates and an average of 3.8 percent annually during municipalities by increasing the availability 2001-2006), a trend that could hurt Jordan’s of fnancing opportunities for micro and economy in the future should it continue. small enterprises, especially in the poorest regions, and encouraging the private sector Data indicate that employment in non- and non-governmental organizations agricultural private enterprises grew by an (NGOs) to establish development and annual average of 2 percent from 2006 to productive investment projects that will 2011, again at a much slower growth than increase employment opportunities for during 2001-2006 (annual average of 6.6 women and other marginalized groups. percent). This trend is concerning. The share There are multiple strategies to increase of employment in enterprises with 100 or opportunities for business startups more employees has increased while the in Jordan: expanding the number of share of employment in enterprises with Development Zones; channeling more fewer than 50 employees has declined. As funds through the Agricultural Credit a result, the average frm size has increased Corporation; and implementing the from 3.8 employees in 2001 to 4.4 employees Governorates’ Development Fund. At this in 2011. point, Jordan needs to address regional disparities, improve the productivity and The proportion of early-stage entrepreneurs competitiveness of its MSMEs in order (individuals who are in the process to compete in both the national and of starting a business and individuals international markets, and accelerate who own a business that is less than, investment and economic growth. The or equal to, 42 months old) in the adult government should address current weaknesses in the institutional business On the national level, the framework, the position of Jordanian products in world markets, and the basic density of MSMEs is 25.6 per infrastructure which supports investments 1,000 inhabitants, which is in industries, technology, tourism, and low compared to the global agriculture. average and for a country at In Jordan, there are 25.6 MSMEs per 1,000 Jordan’s level of economic inhabitants, which is low compared to the global average and to countries with development.

82 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 population is 10.2 percent, which is lower goods with lower quality. Very few have the than would be expected for a country at capacity to compete in international markets. this level of development. This suggests The vast majority do not have any quality that there is room for eforts promoting control systems in place, nor do they follow entrepreneurship. quality control procedures in compliance with international quality certifcation During the period of 2001-2012, the number systems. They invest little in technologies of self-employed persons increased by an that will add value to their products and annual average of 1.67 percent. Overall, exhibit low levels of technology utilization self-employment rates (percent of total overall. employment) have dropped from 17.1 percent in 2001 to 15.5 percent in 2012, Apart from internal constraints, the ability and the actual number of self-employed of MSMEs to function efectively is also persons has been declining since 2009. This afected by external factors. These include: suggests that self-employment is growing the markets in which they operate (e.g. entry at a slower pace than overall employment. barriers and competition); policies, laws, and Women make up less than 4.5 percent of regulations afecting business activities that self-employed persons, which is signifcantly do not take into consideration the efect on lower than other countries. However, over smaller enterprises; and the organizational the past 11 years (2001-2012), Jordanian and institutional arrangements surrounding women became self-employed at 2.7 the enterprise (e.g. business support entities times the rate of men, suggesting that it is and services, fnancial mechanisms, etc.). becoming a more attractive employment option for Jordanian women, although the There are few empirical studies of base is still very small.40 Jordanian MSMEs. However, consultations with business and sector associations, According to the Establishments Census government ofcials, entrepreneurs, MSME 2011, the number of non-agricultural private support providers, and fnancial institutions enterprises in Jordan reached 156,728, reveal consensus on the major obstacles to representing 99.8 percent of all enterprises MSME development, which are: (the remaining being public enterprises). Almost 97 percent of these private • A weak entrepreneurial culture; enterprises have fewer than 10 employees, • Lack of access to fnancing; which is signifcantly higher than the EU average of 92.2 percent. More importantly, • Lack of entrepreneurial and management almost 92 percent of all private enterprises skills and capacity; in Jordan have fewer than fve employees. The lack of medium size enterprises refects a • Inadequate access to business serious structural defciency in the Jordanian development, advisory, and diagnostic economy.41 support services, especially in the governorates; Although there is a signifcant number of MSMEs in Jordan, their small size – as evident • Market access challenges; by the majority of enterprises with fve or less • Lack of innovation and technology employees – place them at a disadvantage adoption/development; when compared to large enterprises. They have fewer internal resources, less capacity • Legal, regulatory, and administrative to compete in global markets, and sufer barriers. from a lack of management skills, fnancing, and technology, which limit their survival These barriers are even more prevalent for and growth potential. The majority of new enterprises, which can have a negative MSMEs serve local markets and focus on the efect on business start-up rates and the production of traditional, low value-added survival rate and growth opportunities of

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 83 new entrepreneurs. Women and young The large gender gap in self-employment people who start businesses face even is another crucial issue. In 2012, the male higher barriers since they oftentimes lack self-employment rate was almost fve times experience in management skills, how to run higher than the female self-employment a business, participation in formal business rate (17.8 percent versus 3.6 percent). networks, and have lower credibility. In Consequently, women’s representation addition, Jordanian stakeholders emphasize among self-employed workers is very the high input costs (e.g. cost of energy); the low, although it slightly increased from lack of adequately skilled labor due to an 4.0 percent in 2001 to 4.3 percent in 2012. education and training system that is not The number of self-employed women has teaching graduates “employability skills”; and been growing at a slightly faster rate than the low commitment/investment of MSMEs that of men: an increase of 22 percent in in training their workers, all of which reduce the number of self-employed women from their productivity and competitiveness.42 2001 to 2012 (annual average increase of 2 percent) compared to an increase of 13 percent for self-employed men (annual Women’s Participation and average increase of 1.2 percent). However, it Employment should be noted that there were only about 3,000 self-employed women in Jordan in Women’s low participation will remain a huge 2012, which means that the numbers used problem, especially in a country like Jordan. for these calculations were very small. Women in the MENA region comprise, on Women’s low participation in self- average, 28 percent of the total work force, employment is infuenced by cultural which is the lowest average globally and traditions and societal attitudes about well below the average of 43 percent in women’s role in economic activity, their other developing countries. Even though low labor force participation rate in general, Jordan has better indicators than most of and the overall business environment. The these countries in terms of education and National Agenda and other government health, the percentage of Jordanian women policy documents have stressed the who participate in the labor force is lower importance of women’s empowerment than the MENA region’s average. and greater integration into the workforce

Table (4-1): Labor market status of Jordanian population aged 15+ by gender and educational level (%), 2013

Economic Activity Status Educational Attainment Men Women Unemployment Unemployment Employed (%) Inactive (%) Rate (%) Employed (%) Inactive (%) Rate (%) Illiterate 20.1 79.9 8.5 0.9 99.1 0.0 Less than secondary 59.9 40.1 10.8 3.0 97.0 11.4 Secondary 44.7 55.3 8.5 5.0 95.0 8.6 Intermediate diploma 80.2 19.8 7.4 30.1 69.9 20.2 Bachelor’s degree 81.5 18.5 12.6 55.9 44.1 26.6 Total 60.4 39.6 10.6 13.2 86.8 22.2 Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b

84 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 to improve Jordan’s social and economic females to start their own businesses has progress. Enabling women to enter the a multiplier efect; as mentioned above, workforce in the frst place will make it when females start their own frms, they easier for them to eventually start their own are more likely to hire other females. businesses. The government’s Executive Traditional businesses, such as selling food, Development Program 2011–2013 handicrafts, and opening beauty salons will reinforces the important role of women in most likely continue to dominate. Therefore, the economy by focusing on the training the challenge is to diversify the types of and strengthening of women’s vocational businesses that females start. and entrepreneurial skills, in addition to facilitating their access to fnance. There Further, while it is necessary to focus on are several reasons for increasing women’s constraints to female participation in general, access to fnance. First, women are less policies need to focus on constraints facing likely to own property that can be used as married females and educated women in collateral for bank loans to fnance their rural areas, in particular. Restraints include: business operations. According to the NHDR limited opportunities for on-the-job and 2011, only 10.4 percent of women own real vocational training tailored specifcally for estate and only 2.7 percent of women are females; administrative barriers to home- agricultural land-owners. Second, many based employment; the need to reform the Jordanian women have less confdence in Labor Law and the Social Security Law in their ability to start a business, are more regards to part-time work; lack of maternity risk averse than men, and are less likely to benefts; and an insufcient number of public have previous business and management preschool education facilities (nurseries and experience, access to information and kindergarten). established business networks, and cultural support for starting and developing a business. It is necessary to focus on On the other hand, women-owned current constraints to active enterprises appear to be much more likely female participation, in than male-owned enterprises to hire other particular those facing married women, which makes them an important driver for increasing the number of women females and educated women in the labor market. According to the NHDR in rural areas. The general 2011, women entrepreneurs hire 1.84 constraints include: limited female employees for every male employee (about two-thirds of their employees are opportunities for on-the- female), while male-owned enterprises have job and vocational training 3.11 males for every female employed (only tailored specifcally for females; about 27 percent of their employees are female). However, many women operate administrative barriers to informal, home-based enterprises in home-based employment; traditional sectors that have limited growth the Labor Law and the potential. Evidence suggests that women, in general, tend to run smaller businesses than Social Security Law on part- men. time work; lack of sufcient Women remain underrepresented among maternity benefts; and the business owners and self-employed persons. lack of a sufcient number of Indeed, self-employed women in micro, public preschool education small, and medium enterprises account for only 6.5 percent of female employment, institutions (nurseries and far below the proportion for males (20.6 kindergarten). percent). Expanding opportunities for

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 85 Amman is home to around 45 percent of Employment, Livelihood and establishments that have less than 250 Regional Disparities workers and 73.6 percent of establishments that have 250 workers or more. 17.2 percent As mentioned above, it is important to of establishments with less than 250 workers take into consideration regional disparities and 6.5 percent of establishments with 250 when improving employment and workers or more are located in Irbid. Zarqa is livelihood. Unemployment rates vary home to 15.2 percent of establishments with between governorates. In 2013, Amman’s less than 250 workers and 10.6 percent of unemployment rate was 10.5 percent; establishments with more than 250 workers. Jerash’s was 12.3 percent; Irbid, Zarqa, Only 1.7 percent, 1.1 percent, and 1.6 percent and Ajloun had 13, 13.1, and 13.5 percent of establishments that employ less than 250 unemployment rates respectively; Balqaa workers are located in Ajloun, Tafleh, and and Mafraq had 14.4 and 14.5 percent Ma’an respectively. It can be inferred from respectively; Ma’an, Aqaba, and Karak had fgure (4-1) that the center region (Amman, 15 percent, 15.2 percent, and 15.8 percent Balqaa, Zarqa, and Madaba) hosts 67.6 respectively; and fnally, Madaba and Tafleh percent of establishments with less than 250 had the highest unemployment rates, workers and 88.7 percent of establishments namely 16.2 and 17.1 percent respectively. with more than 250 workers. As for the northern region (Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash, and The 2011 Establishments Census also Ajloun), these governorates are home to 24.1 revealed regional disparities in the number percent of establishments with less than 250 and density of private enterprises across workers and 8.9 percent of establishments governorates. Just over 77 percent of all with more than 250 workers. The southern active establishments are located in Amman, region, (Karak, Ma’an, Tafleh and Aqaba), Irbid, and Zarqa. 71 percent of Jordan’s housed 8.3 percent of establishments with population live in these governorates. There less than 250 workers and 2.4 percent of are 25.6 MSMEs (enterprises with fewer than establishments with more than 250 workers. 250 employees) per 1,000 inhabitants. This These percentages align with the size of number is low according to World Bank economic activity in each region as well as data which reports an average density of with the population density. 44 31 MSMEs per 1,000 inhabitants across 132 countries.43 The density of MSMEs is highest Comparing the 2011 Establishment Census in Amman (29.7 per 1,000 inhabitants), with the 2006 Establishments Census, followed by Zarqa (26.2 per 1,000) and the statistics show that Tafleh and Jerash Aqaba (26.1 per 1,000), and the lowest in experienced the highest overall growth Mafraq (16.5 per 1,000). in the number of enterprises: about 27 percent and 22 percent respectively. This is The disparity is also evident when looking interesting considering the fact that these at governorates’ share of employees in are among the smallest governorates. The diferent economic sectors in comparison to lowest growth rates were in Amman (the their population size. For example, Amman’s number of enterprises declined with 5 share of employment is almost double its percent), Ma’an (1.5 percent increase), and share of the population. This may be due Mafraq (0.5 percent increase). See fgure (4-2) to the fact that many employees work in and table (4-2) below for more information. Amman but live in other governorates since there are higher levels of economic activity in Amman but lower living costs outside the capital. MSMEs in Amman also generate the highest levels of income, Zarqa the second highest, and Irbid the third highest.

86 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (4-1): Distribution of Economic Establishments by governorate and company size (%) of total number of establishments in each category

80.0 73.6 70.0 60.0

50.0 44.9 40.0 30.0

20.0 15.2 17.2 10.6 10.0 5.2 6.5 4.1 2.3 3.0 1.2 2.2 1.2 1.7 3.4 1.1 1.6 2.2 2.0 0.0 0.4 0 .4 Amman Balqa Zarqa Madaba Irbid Mafraq Jarash Ajlun Karak Tafela Ma’an Aqaba

Employees Category 1-249 Employees Category >_ 250

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2011

Figure (4-2): Numbers of MSMEs by Governorate

Irbid 27.655 Mafraq Ajlun 2.728 4.808 Jarash 3.593 Balqa 8.538

Zarqa 24.556 Madaba Amman 3.765 75.913

Karak 5.508 0-1.797

Tafela 1.798-3.668 1.797 3.669-7.665 Ma'an 2.636 7.666-24.207 24.208-75.913

Aqaba 4.382

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2011

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 87 2.6%

8.0% 1.5%

0.2%

5.6% 6.6%

-5.1%

18.3%

10.8% 11.0% 21.8%

12.2%

27.4% Change in Change number of enterprises, 2006-2011

19

20

22 21

20

26.1

24.7 19.2

23.8 16.5

26.2 25.6

-29.7 Density of of Density enter- 250 > prises per workers 1,000 inhabit- ants* (row)

1.7%

2.2%

5.2%

2.2%

3.4%

1.5%

2.3%

3.0%

1.1%

100%

44.9%

17.2%

15.2% Distribution Total Total

2,673

3,476

8,142

3,516

5,256

2,427

3,634

4,737

1,709

70,372

26,909

23,877 Number

156,728

—

—

—

0.26%

0.14%

0.12%

0.06%

0.09%

0.02%

0.03%

0.06%

0.11%

0.16% (row) Distribution ≥ 250

0

5

3

1

0

1

3

0

10

16

26

181

246 Number

—

—

—

(row) 0.49%

0.26%

0.11%

0.06%

0.02%

0.16%

0.14%

0.13%

0.13%

0.27% Distribution 100-249

0

9

9

0

1

4

5

6

0

16

30

342

422 Number

—

—-

0.64%

0.58%

0.07%

0.08%

0.10%

0.29%

0.08%

0.04%

0.06%

0.15%

0.35% (row) Distribution 50-99

0

6

0

5

7

3

2

1

20

22

36

451

553 Number

1.9%

0.4%

1.0%

0.4%

0.4%

0.2%

0.3%

0.7%

0.4%

0.3%

0.1%

0.5%

1.1% (row) Distribution 20-49

8

2

10

35

34

17

16

14

14

103

129

1,309

1,691 Number

9.8%

2.5%

2.8%

3.5%

2.4%

4.4%

6.6%

3.2%

3.5%

3.5%

4.7%

6.7%

11.3% (row) Distribution 10-19

67

85

59

394

227

946

232

161

117

164

6,888

1,114

10,454 Number

87.0%

97.1%

86.7%

96.5%

95.9%

97.3%

95.1%

92.3%

96.1%

96.0%

96.4%

94.4%

91.5% (row) Distribution 1-4

2,596

3,013

7,856

3,420

5,000

2,239

3,494

4,548

1,647

61,201

25,806

22,542

143,362 Number Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom2011 Hashemite of Jordan The Department – of Statistics Irbid Total *Source: *Source: Table (4-2): Number of active establishments by governorate and employment size, size, and employment governorate by (4-2): Number of active establishments Table 2011 Balqa Karak Zarqa Ma’an Jerash f ela Ta Aqaba Ajloun Mafraq Amman Madaba Governorate

88 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 There are regional disparities in the informal Conclusion economy as well. The relative distribution of the informal labor force refects the This chapter clarifes that one of the main population density between rural and reasons behind regional disparities is urban areas. In Jordan, around 83 percent of the lack of proper and enough business the informal labor force is concentrated in opportunities among governorates due to urban areas, versus 17 percent in rural areas. disparities in the geographic distribution Moreover, 47.5 percent of persons working of the private sector in the Jordan, where in urban areas work in the informal sector; Amman, Zarqa, Irbid and Aqaba are in rural areas, this proportion is 28.3 percent. dominating among all other regions. The private sector almost does not exist in Tafleh As for the relative distribution of SMEs in and Ma’an. This is not only a main challenge the informal sector, it is estimated that the to employing youth and women, but it is majority are located in Amman and spread also an impediment to economic growth across all economic activities. Comparing the and sustainable development. It was clear, number of enterprises in the informal sector though, that remote governorates have the to the total number of informal enterprises highest rates of unemployment, especially nation-wide, Amman has 34 percent of among youth and women. Work ethics and enterprises in the “mining and quarrying” job skills are challenging factors among sector and 89 percent in the “organizations unemployed youth all over the country. and foreign agencies activities” sector. However, governorates, other than Amman, Zarqa hosts 20 percent of establishments Zarqa, Irbid and Aqaba, are sufering in the “water and sewage supply” sector, from the lack of proper capacity building 22 percent of “transportation and storage” programs in both areas. A regional and sub- sector establishments, and 5 percent in both regional data base on youth employment, the “fnancial and insurance” and “public including the gender factor, is not found. administration and defense” sectors. Irbid is Informal economy is the main place where home to 18 percent of informal enterprises youth and women are more engaged in in the “wholesale and retail and vehicle many governorates, including the four maintenance activity” sector, 19 percent in above mentioned main governorates. This the education sector, and 19 percent in the by itself is a factor for poor employment manufacturing sector; it does not have any conditions where social security coverage is establishments specializing in “organizations not available, let alone healthcare coverage. and foreign agencies’ activities”. In the Finally, the lack of proper and enough remaining governorates, there are very fnancing to micro and small enterprises, few informal sector establishments; none which includes all governorates with of these governorates had establishments diferent proportions depending on the in the “organizations and foreign agencies proximity to Amman, is a tumbling factor activities” sector. However, Mafraq had for engaging youth and women in the labor 24 percent of the total informal sector market. establishments in the mining and quarrying activity, which is a relatively high percentage and most likely a result of its landscape. Apart from this anomaly, the remaining governorates (except Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid) housed between 0 and 11 percent of all informal establishments 45

Around 83 percent of the informal labor force is concentrated in urban areas, versus 17 percent in rural areas. 47.5 percent of those working in urban areas are informally employed; in rural areas, this percentage is 28.3.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 89 90 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

YOUTH

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 91 CHAPTER FIVE YOUTH

92 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 population. This requires that policy makers Introduction focus on education. Education is the most important tool to empower people and Jordan’s large youth population constitutes drive sustainable development, by arming the cornerstone of development and the them with cognitive skills, strengthening foundation for progress and positive change. their capacities, building their skills and Empowered with knowledge and skills in knowledge, and teaching them necessary science and technology, young people expertise. Human capital accelerates the can help drive Jordan’s progress towards diferent dimensions of development and sustainable development. Therefore, it is high quality education enables youth to crucial to invest in youth and enable them to respond to the particular requirements of engage in the labor market. their generation and to compete in the labor The number of Jordanians aged 15-2446 market. reached 1,199,418 in 2013, which represents about 20 percent of the total population. Distribution of the They also comprise 30.8 percent of the working age population, which reached a Population by Age and total of 3,897,040 people in 2013. According to several demographers, this percentage Gender is reaching a turning point. Many countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, are Jordan’s total population reached about approaching a point of “peak youth,” which 6,008,000 47 people in 2013 and was growing means that the proportion of young people with an annual rate of 2.2 percent. Youth (15 will begin to decline, while the proportion – 24 year olds) accounted for 20 percent of of the elderly will increase. This requires a the total population, as shown in Table (5-1). clear and balanced vision of development to ensure appropriate policies that utilize As seen in the table above, there is a balanced human resources in the most optimal way. gender distribution among young people: 53.5 percent are male and 46.5 percent are However, before Jordan reaches this so called female. Among females, 18.9 percent are “demographic window of opportunity,” between 15-24 years old. Among men, 21.0 it is expected that youth will come to percent are between 15-24 years old. account for an even larger proportion of the

Table (5-1): Distribution of the Jordanian population by age group and gender

Age group Male Female Total

Below 15 1,084,308 1,026,210 2,110,518 15 – 24 641,401 558,017 1,199,418 More than 24 1,331,487 1,366,135 2,697,622 Total 3,057,196 2,950,362 6,007,558 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 93

Table (2-5): Distribution of Basic Education Students by Authority, Gender in the Kingdom, 2012-2013 Figure (5-1) Gender and Age Structure, 2013

44.9% 46.3% 43.6% 35.1% 34.8% 35.5% 20.0% 18.9% 21.0%

Total Female Male

less than 15 years (15-24) years more than 24 years

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

Figure (5-2) shows the distribution of Distribution of the Jordan’s youth by educational level and Population by Age and gender. 93 percent of young men have a secondary school education or less Educational Level (approximately 594,000 males); 88 percent of females have a secondary school The majority of youth (around 90 percent) education or less (approximately 489,000 has a secondary school education or less. females). The percentage of those with a The percentage of youth with a bachelor’s bachelor’s degree is approximately 5 percent degree is 7 percent (86,500 individuals), of males (approximately 36,000) versus 9 while the proportion of youth who holds percent of females (approximately 51,000). an intermediate diploma degree is about Approximately 2 percent of males hold a 3 percent (29,000 people). There is a small diploma (11,000) versus 3 percent of females proportion of youth (0.04 percent) who has (approximately 18,000). reached a higher level of education than a bachelor’s degree.

Table (5-2): Distribution of the Jordanian population by educational level and gender

Educational level 15-24 years More than 24 years Male Female Total Male Female Total

More than bachelor 189 315 504 37,626 15,972 53,598 Bachelor 35,679 50,857 86,536 238,046 205,223 443,269 Diploma 11,255 17,793 29,048 113,523 162,366 275,889 Secondary and less 594,278 489,052 1,083,330 942,292 982,574 1,924,866 Total 641,401 558,017 1,199,418 1,331,487 1,366,135 2,697,622 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

94 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (5-3): Percentage Distribution of the Jordanianpopulation by age, gender, and educational level

Educational qualifcation Below 15 15 – 24 Over 24

Above Bachelor 0.9% 99.1% Bachelor 16.3% 83.7% Diploma 9.5% 90.5% Secondary school or less 36.0% 64.0% Total 35.1% 20.0% 44.9% Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

Figure (5-2): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and gender

Diploma Bachelor 3% 7%

Secondary school or less 90%

Males Females

Diploma Bachelor Diploma Bachelor 2% 5% 3% 9%

Secondary school Secondary school or less or less 88% 93%

Table (2-5): Distribution of Basic Education Students by Authority,JORDAN Gender HUMAN in DEVELOPMENT the REPORT 2015 Kingdom, 2012-2013 95 Distribution of Youth (15-24 years old) by Educational Level and Region

Distribution of youth (15-24 years old) by educational level and region

Table (5-4): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level, gender, and region

2013 Region Educational qualifcation Male Female Total

Above BA/ BS 73 121 194 BA/ BS 10,855 15,781 26,636 Northern region Secondary and less 188,102 155,004 343,106 Intermediate diploma 3,766 5,915 9,681 Total 202,796 176,821 379,617

Above BA/ BS 95 182 277 BA/ BS 22,650 29,707 52,357 Central region Secondary and less 347,352 284,383 631,735 Intermediate diploma 6,463 10,308 16,771 Total 376,560 324,580 701,140 Above BA/ BS 21 12 33 BA/ BS 2,174 5,369 7,543 Southern region Secondary and less 58,824 49,665 108,489 Intermediate diploma 1,026 1,570 2,596 Total 62,045 56,616 118,661

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

96 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015

Educational qualification! Figure (5-3): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and region

Central Region

Diploma BA/ BS 2% 8%

Secondary or less 90%

Southern Region Northern Region BA/ BS Diploma BA/ BS 7% Diploma 6% 3% 2%

Seconda ry Seconda ry or less or less 92% 90%

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 97 Distribution of Jordanian Youth by Educational Level and Governorate

The majority of youth hold a secondary degree or less across all diferent governorates and there is a similar gender distribution as well. The second most common degree is a bachelor’s. More information can be found in the table below and in the graphs that follow.

Table (5-5): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational qualifcation, gender, and governorate

2013 Governorate Educational qualifcation Male Female Total

Taflah BA/ BS 425 996 1,421 Secondary or less 11,000 7,879 18,879 Intermediate diploma 154 149 303 Total 11,579 9,024 20,603 Aqaba BA/ BS 239 748 987 Secondary or less 11,204 9,788 20,992 Intermediate diploma 212 250 462 Total 11,655 10,786 22,441 Karak Higher than BA/ BS 21 21 BA/ BS 1,242 3,002 4,244 Secondary or less 25,852 23,441 49,293 Intermediate diploma 501 854 1,355 Total 27,616 27,297 54,913 Ma’an Higher than BA/ BS _ 12 12 BA/ BS 268 623 891 Secondary or less 10,768 8,557 19,325 Intermediate diploma 159 317 476 Total 11,195 9,509 20,704 Irbid Higher than BA/ BS 73 81 154 BA/ BS 8,054 10,267 18,321 Secondary or less 119,915 98,539 218,454 Intermediate diploma 2,910 3,984 6,894 Total 130,952 112,871 243,823 Mafraq Higher than BA/ BS _ 21 21 BA/ BS 1,186 2,662 3,848 Secondary or less 32,486 25,535 58,021 Intermediate diploma 464 748 1,212 Total 34,136 28,966 63,102 Jerash BA/ BS 1,186 2,662 3,848 Secondary or less 32,486 25,535 58,021 Intermediate diploma 464 748 1,212 Total 20,841 18,014 38,855 _ Ajloun Higher than BA/ BS 19 19 BA/ BS 613 1,356 1,969 Secondary or less 16,095 14,877 30,972 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 98 Intermediate diploma 159 718 877 Total 16,867 16,970 33,837 Balqaa BA/ BS 2,439 2,346 4,785 Secondary or less 39,663 32,708 72,371 Intermediate diploma 501 1,074 1,575 Total 42,603 36,128 78,731 Zarqa Higher than BA/ BS 64 21 85 BA/ BS 4,062 5,185 9,247 Secondary or less 78,478 69,119 147,597 Intermediate diploma 1,863 2,369 4,232 Total 84,467 76,694 161,161 Amman Higher than BA/ BS 31 121 152 BA/ BS 15,127 20,449 35,576 Secondary or less 214,937 169,478 384,415 Intermediate diploma 3,888 6,583 10,471 Total 233,983 196,631 430,614 Madaba Higher than BA/ BS _ 40 40 BA/ BS 1,022 1,727 2,749 Secondary or less 14,274 13,078 27,352 Intermediate diploma 211 282 493 Total 15,507 15,127 30,634 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development Table (5-5): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational qualifcation, gender, and governorate

2013 Governorate Educational qualifcation Male Female Total

Taflah BA/ BS 425 996 1,421 Secondary or less 11,000 7,879 18,879 Intermediate diploma 154 149 303 Total 11,579 9,024 20,603 Aqaba BA/ BS 239 748 987 Secondary or less 11,204 9,788 20,992 Intermediate diploma 212 250 462 Total 11,655 10,786 22,441 Karak Higher than BA/ BS 21 21 BA/ BS 1,242 3,002 4,244 Secondary or less 25,852 23,441 49,293 Intermediate diploma 501 854 1,355 Total 27,616 27,297 54,913 Ma’an Higher than BA/ BS _ 12 12 BA/ BS 268 623 891 Secondary or less 10,768 8,557 19,325 Intermediate diploma 159 317 476 Total 11,195 9,509 20,704 TableIrbid (5-5): DistributionHigher of Jordanian than BA/ BS youth by educational73 quali81 fcation,154 gender, and governorateBA/ BS 8,054 10,267 18,321 Secondary or less 119,915 98,539 218,454 2013 Governorate EducationalIntermediate quali diplomafcation 2,910 3,984 6,894 Total 130,952Male 112,871Female 243,823Total _ MafraqTaflah BA/Higher BS than BA/ BS 425 99621 1,42121 SecondaryBA/ BS or less 11,0001,186 7,8792,662 18,8793,848 IntermediateSecondary or diplomaless 32,486154 25,535149 58,021303 TotalIntermediate diploma 11,579464 9,024748 20,6031,212 Total 34,136 28,966 63,102 Aqaba BA/ BS 239 748 987 Jerash SecondaryBA/ BS or less 11,2041,186 9,7882,662 20,9923,848 IntermediateSecondary or diplomaless 32,486212 25,535250 58,021462 TotalIntermediate diploma 11,655464 10,786748 22,4411,212 Karak HigherTotal than BA/ BS 20,84121 18,014 38,85521 _ Ajloun BA/Higher BS than BA/ BS 1,242 3,00219 4,24419 SecondaryBA/ BS or less 25,852613 23,4411,356 49,2931,969 IntermediateSecondary or diplomaless 16,095501 14,877854 30,9721,355 TotalIntermediate diploma 27,616159 27,297718 54,913877 Ma’an HigherTotal than BA/ BS 16,867_ 16,97012 33,83712 Balqaa BA/ BS 2,439268 2,346623 4,785891 Secondary or less 10,76839,663 32,7088,557 19,32572,371 Intermediate diploma 159501 1,074317 1,575476 Total 11,19542,603 36,1289,509 20,70478,731 ZarqaIrbid Higher than BA/ BS 7364 8121 15485 BA/ BS 8,0544,062 10,2675,185 18,3219,247 Secondary or less 119,91578,478 98,53969,119 218,454147,597 Intermediate diploma 2,9101,863 3,9842,369 6,8944,232 Total 130,95284,467 112,87176,694 243,823161,161 AmmanMafraq Higher than BA/ BS 31_ 12121 15221 BA/ BS 15,1271,186 20,4492,662 35,5763,848 Secondary or less 214,93732,486 169,47825,535 384,41558,021 Intermediate diploma 3,888464 6,583748 10,4711,212 Total 233,98334,136 196,63128,966 430,61463,102 _ MadabaJerash BA/Higher BS than BA/ BS 1,186 2,66240 3,84840 SecondaryBA/ BS or less 32,4861,022 25,5351,727 58,0212,749 IntermediateSecondary or diplomaless 14,274464 13,078748 27,3521,212 TotalIntermediate diploma 20,841211 18,014282 38,855493 Total 15,507_ 15,127 30,634 Ajloun Higher than BA/ BS 19 19 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources BA/ BS 613 1,356 1,969 Development Secondary or less 16,095 14,877 30,972 Intermediate diploma 159 718 877 Total 16,867 16,970 33,837 Balqaa BA/ BS 2,439 2,346 4,785 Secondary or less 39,663 32,708 72,371 Intermediate diploma 501 1,074 1,575 Total 42,603 36,128 78,731 Zarqa Higher than BA/ BS 64 JORDAN21 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT85 REPORT 2015 99 BA/ BS 4,062 5,185 9,247 Secondary or less 78,478 69,119 147,597 Intermediate diploma 1,863 2,369 4,232 Total 84,467 76,694 161,161 Amman Higher than BA/ BS 31 121 152 BA/ BS 15,127 20,449 35,576 Secondary or less 214,937 169,478 384,415 Intermediate diploma 3,888 6,583 10,471 Total 233,983 196,631 430,614 Madaba Higher than BA/ BS _ 40 40 BA/ BS 1,022 1,727 2,749 Secondary or less 14,274 13,078 27,352 Intermediate diploma 211 282 493 Total 15,507 15,127 30,634 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development Figure (5-4): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the southern governorates

Ma’an Karak

25,000 60,000 50,000 20,000 40,000 30,000 15,000 Male Male 20,000 10,000 Female 10,000 Female Total Total 5,000

Bachelor Diploma

More than Bachelor Secondary Diploma Bachelor and less More than Bachelor Secondary and less

Aqaba Tafela 25,000 20,000 18,000 20,000 16,000 14,000 15,000 Male 12,000 Male 10,000 10,000 Female 8,000 Female Total 6,000 Total 5,000 4,000 2,000

BachelorSecondary Diploma BachelorSecondaryDiploma and less and less

Figure (5-5): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the northern governorates

Ajlun Irbid

35,000 250,000 30,000 200,000 25,000 20,000 150,000 15,000 Male 100,000 Male 10,000 Female 50,000 Female 5,000 Total Total

Bachelor Diploma Bachelor Diploma

More than Bachelor Secondary and less More than Bachelor Secondary and less

100 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Mafraq Jerash

70,000 70,000 60,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 50,000 30,000 Male 40,000 Male 20,000 Female 30,000 Female 10,000 Total 20,000 Total 10,000 Bachelor Diploma

Bachelor Secondary Diploma More than Bachelor Secondary and less and less

Figure (5-6): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level in the central governorates

Balqaa Amman 80,000 450,000 400,000 70,000 350,000 60,000 300,000 250,000 50,000 Male 200,000 Male 40,000 150,000 Female 100,000 Female 30,000 50,000 20,000 Total Total 10,000 Bachelor Diploma

Bachelor Secondary Diploma and less More than Bachelor Secondary and less

Madaba Zarqa

30,000 160,000 25,000 140,000 120,000 20,000 100,000 15,000 80,000 Male Male 10,000 60,000 Female 40,000 Female 5,000 20,000 Total Total

Bachelor Diploma Bachelor Diploma

More than Bachelor Secondary and less More than Bachelor Secondary and less

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 101 Distribution of Jordanian In Jordan, 77 percent of youth Youth by Educational Level are economically inactive. Only and Economic Activity 23 percent are economically active. Jordan’s population, as in all countries, can be divided into two categories: the economically active and the economically As for the economically active population, inactive. Economically active includes those a large proportion (74.1 percent) have a persons who are employed or who are secondary education or less. 22.4 percent actively seeking employment. In Jordan, 23 has a bachelor’s degree, 3.3 percent an percent of youth are economically active. intermediate diploma, and 0.1 percent a degree higher than a bachelor’s. See the fgure below for the distribution of educational qualifcations among economically active youth (both employed and unemployed).

Figure (5-7): Distribution of Jordanian economically inactive youth by educational level

Inactive

Diploma Bachelor 1% 3%

Secondary or less 96%

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

102 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (5-8): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and activity

Unemployed Employed

BA/ BS Diploma BA/ BS Diploma 15% 10% 37% 5%

Secondary Secondary or less or less 53% 80%

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

Distribution of Working Youth Population by Educational Level and Specialization

A signifcant proportion of youth are still attending school and have not yet fnished secondary school. Most students specialize in social sciences, business, law, science, mathematics, computer science, humanities, arts, engineering, manufacturing and construction. The distribution of educational levels within these specializations is shown in table (5-6) and Figure (5-9).

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 103 Table (5-6): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and specialization

Educational qualifcation Male female Total

Education 2,524 11,827 14,351 Higher than BA/ BS _ 109 109 BA/BS 2,250 8,553 10,803 Intermediate diploma 274 3,165 3,439 Services 2,399 1,052 3,451 Higher than BA/ BS _ 20 20 BA/BS 1,259 698 1,957 Intermediate diploma 1,140 334 1,474 Humanities and arts 4,229 12,686 16,915 Higher than BA/ BS 29 21 50 BA/BS 3,089 10,135 13,224 Secondary or less _ 37 37 Intermediate diploma 1,111 2,493 3,604 Agriculture and Veterinary 359 778 1,137 Higher than BA/ BS 18 18 BA/BS 266 769 1,035 Intermediate diploma 75 9 84 Health and social services 4,614 7,641 12,255 Higher than BA/ BS _ 40 40 BA/BS 2,661 3,981 6,642 Intermediate diploma 1,953 3,620 5,573 Social sciences, business, and law 15,156 15,451 30,607 Higher than BA/ BS 67 90 157 BA/BS 12,802 10,527 23,329 Secondary or less 43 43 Intermediate diploma 2,244 4,834 7,078 Science, math, and computer science 6,983 13,647 20,630 _ Higher than BA/ BS 35 35 BA/BS 5,643 10,513 16,156 Intermediate diploma 1,340 3,099 4,439 Engineering, manufacturing, and construction 10,902 5,920 16,822 Higher than BA/ BS 75 _ 75 BA/BS 7,709 5,681 13,390 Intermediate diploma 3,118 239 3,357 Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

104 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (5-9): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and specialization

Education Services Higher than BA/BS Diploma %1 %24 Diploma %43 BA/ BS BA/ BS %57 %75

Health & social services Abriculture & veterinary

Diploma Higher %7 than BA/BS Diploma %2 %46 BA/ BS %54 BA/ BS %91

Humanities & arts Social sciences, business and law

Higher Diploma Diploma than BA/BS %22 %23 %1

BA/ BS BA/ BS %78 %76

Engineering, manufacturing, Science, maths & computer science and construction

Diploma Diploma %22 %20

BA/ BS BA/ BS %78 %80

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 105 Distribution of Youth by Educational Level and Geographical Location

81 percent of youth live in urban areas and 19 percent in rural areas. 90 percent of youth in urban areas have a secondary education or below, compared to 91.3 percent in rural areas. The proportion of bachelor’s degree holders is 7.4 percent in urban areas and 6.3 percent in rural areas.

Figure (5-10): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level and urban/rural areas

1,000,000 900,000 874,952

800,000

700,000 600,000 72,147

500,000 400,000

300,000 208,378 200,000 100,000 439 65 14,389 23,690 5,358

More than Bachelor Bachelor Secondary and less Diploma

Urban Rural

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

106 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (5- 11): Distribution of Jordanian youth in urban areas by educational level

Urban 1,000,000 900,000 800,000 700,000 600,000 Male 500,000 400,000 Female 300,000 Total 200,000 100,000

More than Bachelor Secondary and Diploma Bachelor less

Figure (5-12): Distribution of Jordanian youth in rural areas by educational level

Rural 250,000

200,000

150,000 Male

100,000 Female Total 50,000

More than Bachelor Secondary and less Diploma Bachelor

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 107 The democratic empowerment initiative Enabling Jordanian Youth to is one of several royal initiatives and Participate in the Economic, programs to emphasize the role that youth can play in political life. Further, the Queen Social, and Political Life Rania Family and Child Center runs youth empowerment programs, notably the ‘Youth The term “enabling youth” is related to a Leadership Program,’ which seeks to build number of cultural initiatives that aim to and enhance leadership skills among youth strengthen the role of youth in various through comprehensive practical training aspects of life. The most prominent of these that combines theory and practice, and that is the ‘We Are All Jordan Youth Commission’, focuses on the skills that young people need which was launched with the support of His to plan and implement local community Majesty King Abdullah II in 2006 in order projects. to provide the institutional platform for youth to get familiar with the policies and The King Abdullah II Fund for Development programs that target their economic, social, also established special ofces at 23 and political development. universities in 2004 in order to help students gain experience and acquire necessary Since its establishment, the Youth training to make them qualifed for the Commission has worked to strengthen the labor market. The Fund also launched the capacities of youth from all governorates International Travel Support Program in 2006 so that they are able to start initiatives, to support Jordanian university students make recommendations for their to participate in youth activities around communities, and view themselves as the world. This program covers the cost active partners; economically, socially, and of travel (partially or entirely) and visa fees politically. The Commission established for outstanding students in extracurricular one ofce in each of the 12 governorates to activities. The Fund also launched “Darb,” facilitate communication with youth, and a local training program, in partnership administrative staf was appointed to follow- with LOYAC Centre and with the support of up on the programs and activities proposed the Ministry of Planning and International by youth. Cooperation. The program allows Jordanian students at Jordanian universities to join an The King Abdullah II Fund for Development enterprise in the private or public sector or supports the Commission fnancially and a non-governmental organization as paid administratively, and made the Commission interns for a minimum period of eight weeks. its youth arm. Some of the most important mandates of the Commission include to In the area of fnance, the Development and communicate with youth, involve them in Employment Fund fnanced 3,456 young its activities, raise their institutional capacity, males and females in 2013 to create their encourage them to do voluntary work and own enterprises. Besides, Tamweelcom engage with state institutions and civil launched the Fikrati Award for pilot projects society organizations, strengthen their role in cooperation with Silatech organization in confronting the challenges that face local in 2013. The award aims to raise awareness communities, and improve their ability to of the culture of entrepreneurship and engage with media. The Commission also company start-ups in society by providing set up a fund to fnance pilot projects in opportunities for fnancing, training, cooperation with the National Microfnance and counseling, as well as connecting Bank and the initiative of the Knights of entrepreneurs to a network of investors Change Award, which focuses on applied and mentors to develop their projects in science projects, voluntary work, and smaller trade, industry, production, services, social projects by youth. work, and related to the environment. Qualifed applicants will receive funding and participate in a forty-hour long training program to help them develop their business ideas into action plans.

108 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (5-7): Distribution of Jordanian youth by educational level, gender, and benefciaries of loans from the development and employment Fund

Educational qualifcation Male Female Total

Not specifed 1 _ 1 Under lower secondary 24 57 81 Lower secondary 86 257 343 Secondary 676 1159 1835 Vocational Training Institute 22 2 24 Intermediate Diploma 32 61 93 Bachelor’s and Master’s 536 542 1078 PhD 1 _ 1 Total 1,378 2,078 3,456

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

Table (2-5): Distribution of Basic Education Students by Authority,JORDAN Gender HUMAN DEVELOPMENTin the REPORT 2015 Kingdom, 2012-2013 109 Table (5-8): Summary of educational indicators for youth

Indicator Measurement unit Value of indicator

Population indicators 2013 Total Jordanian population 1,000 people 6,008 Youth population in the 15 – 24 age group 1,000 people 1,199 Main educational indicators Total distribution of students in all stages of education 1,000 2,021 Male students 1,000 1019,2 Female students 1,000 1001,8 Ratio of students to total population % 31.0 Ratio of male students to total population % 30.3 Ratio of female students to total population % 31.7 Students in the academic secondary stream 1,000 189.9 Male students in the academic secondary stream 1,000 86.1 Female students in the academic secondary stream 1,000 103.8 Students in the vocational secondary stream 1,000 28.9 Male students in the vocational secondary stream 1,000 19.1 Female students in the vocational secondary stream 1,000 9.8 Distribution of students in community colleges 1,000 28.9 Male students 1,000 13.4 Female students 1,000 15.5 Distribution of students in universities 1,000 280.1 Male students 1,000 133.5 Female students 1,000 146.7

Source: Information from Al Manar Project Database/the National Center for Human Resources Development

Youth and Poverty

There are several defnitions of poverty, but the State of Poverty in Jordan Report,48 prepared by the Department of Statistics, defnes poverty as the inability of an individual to meet the minimal basic needs that ensure him or her a decent life (food, clothing, housing, health care, education, and transportation). According to the report, 19.2 percent of all poor were youth in 2008.

110 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (5-9): Distribution of Jordanian youth by poverty segments

Degree of poverty Segments of poverty proportion of youth from the total segment Poorest 1 st quintuple 19.2% 2 nd quintuple 20.1% 3 rd quintuple 23.6% 4 th quintuple 24.3%

Richest 5 th quintuple 24.3% Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010c

Conclusion The analysis showed that there This chapter showed that there is a balanced are clear regional disparities gender distribution among youth in Jordan. Youth, aged 15-24, comprise almost one among youth in all of the ffth of the country’s total population. following dimensions: gender, Dimensions such as gender, education, education, economic activities, economic activities, political and social participation, and poverty among youth political and social participation, were analyzed. The analysis looked at and poverty. regional disparities in all of the dimensions above, with a particular focus on gender. were held in preparation for this report This includes disparities between regions urged policy makers to pay special attention and governorates, between urban and to youth engagement and youth initiatives. rural areas, between economically active Leaving youth without adequate programs and inactive youth, and between diferent to strengthen their engagement will put educational specializations. them at greater risk of becoming radicalized and further marginalized. The culture of Policy makers should pay special attention shame (which results in a situation where to youth, especially since Jordan is many Jordanians are too ashamed to accept approaching its so called “demographic certain jobs for fear of what their families window of opportunity”. This requires a and communities will think) has to be clear and comprehensive vision of human addressed through orientation sessions that development and sufcient planning in teach participants the value of work and the order to utilize young people to their fullest importance of being a productive citizen. extent. Participants in three workshops that

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 111 112 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

WOMEN AND DISPARITIES

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 113 CHAPTER SIX WOMEN AND DISPARITIES

114 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Introduction There are various limitations Gender equality and women’s issues that prevent the improvement require special attention. Gender equality of women’s participation in the is a prerequisite for socio-economic development and an important factor of labor market and in assuming socio-political stability worldwide. The Arab high skilled jobs. These include: spring drew attention to the need for more the mismatch between the comprehensive solutions to the challenges that women face in Jordan. Jordan does not demand and supply in the legally discriminate against one gender, but labor market; weak private this chapter will demonstrate that gender sector encouragement of discrimination still exists in reality. gender equality; lack of a Jordanian women are less involved decent job environment; social in economic development than their counterparts in other countries, which and cultural traditions; lack limits Jordan’s ability to materialize its of transportation; and a low vision of advancing human capacities. This number of child nurseries. also hinders Jordan’s concerted eforts to empower women at all levels and stages in life, which, if realized, will increase the Women in the Labor Market quality of life for women as well as for their families. Women’s participation continues to be a The labor force participation rate of major development obstacle in Jordan. Jordanian women is 14.7 percent, one of the Jordanian legislation and regulations do lowest rates in the world. There are various not discriminate against women when reasons for this, such as women’s health it comes to access to wages, economic status and broader social, political, and participation, capacity building, education, cultural barriers. For example, the fertility or the opportunity to access any type of job. rate of Jordanian women (3.5) is considered Unofcial discrimination and the disregard high for a country like Jordan and hinders, or for existing regulations cause current gender at least delays, women’s participation in the discrimination. However, even though labor market. gender discrimination exists, it is difcult to identify as there are not enough data and Jordan has taken signifcant steps during the surveys available. Participants in one of the last years to improve women’s situation by workshops for this report stated that there implementing economic and social policies is gender discrimination against women in and legislations. In particular, women have the work place. At the same time, various had educational achievements, evident by national strategies and documents have higher enrollment rates of girls in school emphasized the importance of increasing and the fact that female students achieve female economic participation and ensuring higher results and grades. There has also that females have access to the same been progress in the health sector with the opportunities as males in the labor market. provision of free and comprehensive health The National Employment Strategy 2013- care for mothers and children. 2020 (NES), The National Agenda 2005-2015, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy 2013- 2020 (PRS), among others, have adopted recommendations to increase female economic participation. All documents have underscored that female participation is essential to social and economic development.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 115 There are various factors that prevent women from participating in the labor market and/ Women in the Labor Market: or assuming high skilled jobs. Those factors Formal and Informal include the mismatch between the demand and supply in the labor market, lack of Discrimination commitment to gender equality by the private sector, lack of jobs, social and cultural As mentioned earlier in this chapter, Jordan traditions, inaccessibility to transportation, does not legally discriminate against and a low number of child nurseries. one gender. Jordan sufers from weak enforcement of laws which limits women’s Ofcial numbers indicate that the average economic participation. According to data wage gap between men and women in from the Department of Statistics (DOS), Jordan is 41.3 percent in manufacturing, the average female labor force participation 27.9 percent in health and social work rate was 13.7 percent between 2005-2013. sectors, and 24.5 percent in the education This is lower than the regional average sector. International data show that women, (22 percent) and more than three times on average, earn approximately 22.9 below the average rate of middle income percent less than men. Current Jordanian countries (47 percent), Figure (6-1). The laws do not include clauses that penalize marginal changes with respect to women’s wage discrimination, which causes the engagement in the labor market refect continuation of this wage gap. Weak the entrenched challenges, controversy, inspection systems further allow for more and complexity surrounding this issue. frequent circumventions of the law. Despite regular references in strategic and analytical documents, and a multitude of activities, there is an evident and persisting gap between strategies, legislation, and policy on one side, and actual improvement in women’s employment situation on the other.

The average female labor participation rate between 2005 and 2013 was 13.7 percent. This is more than two times lower than the regional average (22 percent) and more than three times below the average rate of participation in the middle income countries (47 percent).

Figure (6-1): Average labor force participation rates in Jordan, the Southern Eastern and Mediterranean region (SEMED), and in middle income countries

Male, SEMED Male, Middle regional average, Income countries, 73.51538175 Total, Middle 78.515001158 Male, Jordan, Income countries, Female, Middle 60.4 Total, SEMED 62.76956876 Income countries, Total, Jordan, regional average, 47.21532727 37.1 47.9199687 Female, Jordan, Female, SEMED 13.2 regional average, 21.96442041 Total Male Female Sources: National Statistical Ofces and World Bank. Notes: SEMED regional average includes Algeria (data from 2013), Egypt (2011), Jordan (2013), Lebanon (2009), Libya (2012), Palestine (2013) and Tunisia (2012); Middle income countries: World bank data, modeled

Source: Information from European Training Foundation - Prime 2012

116 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 The share of women of working age who In 2013, close to a quarter (22 percent) of the are neither employed nor looking for a job women who were active in the labor market in Jordan is remarkably high in comparison were unemployed. In some governorates, to international numbers.49 It seems that like Aqaba and Irbid, the rate was as high even if women are willing to work, they are as 41 percent. See Table (6-1) for more confronted with difculties in fnding a job. information.

Table (6-1): Unemployment rate by governorate and gender (2013) Governorate Unemployment Rate (%) Male Females

Ajloun 9% 19% Amman 10% 19% Aqaba 13% 41% Balqaa 9% 19% Irbid 13% 41% Jerash 9% 19% Karak 13% 20% Ma’an 9% 19% Madaba 14% 20% Mafraq 9% 25% Tafleh 13% 19% Zarqa 9% 39% National 11% 22%

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b

Women who are not economically active are are economically active, but in Zarqa, only 8 more likely to be married and to have lower percent of women are economically active. education levels. There are also considerable In Jerash and Aqaba, approximately 12 diferences between governorates. In Tafleh percent of women are working or seeking and Karak, around 22 percent of females employment. Table (6-2) . 50

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 117 Table (6-2): Economic activity rates by governorate and gender (2013)

Governorate Economic Activity (%) Total Male Female

Tafleh 42,5 61,6 22,5 Karak 42,3 63,5 22,0 Madaba 42,0 64,9 18,8 Balqaa 38,2 59,6 15,6 Ajloun 34,90 55,5 14,8 Amman 36,7 59,4 13,4 Ma’an 36,9 59,0 13,4 Mafraq 36,9 59,7 13,2 Irbid 36,9 61,2 12,3 Aqaba 39,1 64,5 12,1 Jerash 35,1 57,6 11,5 Zarqa 35,4 61,7 8,0

Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b

It is interesting to note that the governorates In fact, other governorates with similar with the highest female activity rates zones, such as Irbid, Zarqa, Amman, and (Tafleh: 22.5 percent; Karak: 22 percent; and Aqaba, had very diferent data patterns. Madaba: 18.8 percent) are also those with Aqaba and Zarqa are the next “best” the highest male activity rates (Tafleh: 61.6 governorates in terms of male economic percent Karak: 63.5 percent; and Madaba: activity (Aqaba: 64.5 percent, Zarqa: 61.7 64.9 percent). Of these governorates, Karak percent; and Irbid: 61.2 percent) but they has an Industrial Qualifed Zone which may are also places where women are among the have a positive impact on employment least active (Aqaba: 12.1 percent; Zarqa: 8 rates, but this can not explain the higher percent; and Irbid: 12.3 percent). Jerash has female activity rates in Talifeh and Madaba. the second lowest activity rate in Jordan for both males and females. The female activity rate in the capital Amman is around the national average (13.4 percent).

The governorates with the highest female activity rates (Tafleh: 22.5 percent; Karak: 22 percent; and Madaba: 18.8 percent) are also those with the highest male activity rates (Tafleh: 61.6 percent; Karak: 63.5 percent; and Madaba: 64.9 percent) and the highest average rates for both genders (Tafleh: 42.5 percent; Karak: 42.3 percent, and Madaba: 42 percent).

118 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 There are laws and regulations in place to protect women in the labor market. The Women in a Socio-Economic Jordanian maternity law provides 70 days and Political Context maternity leave for women in the private sector and 90 days maternity leave for women in the public sector. This is lower a. Education and capacity than the International Labour Organization’s building (ILO) recommended maternity leave of 98 days. However, Jordan has not ratifed the Females and males have equal access to ILO agreement. education in Jordan and gross enrollment rates are high. At the primary level, 99 The perception of women among private percent of males and 97 percent of females sector employers is another factor that are enrolled; at the secondary level, 87 limits female participation. Employers are percent of males and 89 percent of females more likely to invest in, and strengthen the are enrolled; and at the tertiary level, 43 capacities of, males rather than females. They percent of males and 50 percent of females often perceive it risky to hire women, since are enrolled. they might leave work because of marriage, pregnancy, and cultural attitudes. This type of informal discrimination is difcult to address.

Table (6-3): Educational level of the population in Jordan by gender (2013)

Population (15+) by 2013 education (%) Total Male Female

Total 100 100 100 Illiterate 6.8 3.7 10.1 Less than secondary 52.5 56.3 48.6 Secondary 17.9 17.9 17.8 Intermediate diploma 7.8 6.3 9.4 Bachelor and above 15.0 15.8 14.2 Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013a

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 119 Overall, the younger generation of females among older age groups: 57.3 percent have better access to education than among 55-64 year olds and 84 percent in the generations that preceded them. the group of 65 year olds and older. This The average share of women with only compares to 10.3 percent among 25-39 year elementary education or below (including olds and 5.5 percent among those who are illiterate persons) is considerably higher between the age of 20 and 24. Figure (6- 2).

Figure (6-2): Females with elementary Elementary Education or less by age group

84.0%

57.3%

25.4%

10.3% 7.2% 5.5%

15-19 20-24 25-39 40-54 55-64 65+

Share of females with elementary education or less/illiterate (2013)

Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013a

In terms of gender parity in educational and women pursue. While women are almost attainment, Jordan is performing well equally represented in education overall, too. In 2010, the gender parity index in more women enroll in general education primary education was 1, and for secondary than in TVET. In 2011-2012, vocational education it was 1.06. In higher education, training represented only 8.7 percent of the male-female ratio was 108 and in the all female enrollment in secondary school. intermediate diploma stage it was 140.3. The vast majority of women preferred It is crucial to analyze relative access to academic secondary education, presumably education, but it is equally important to in order to continue university studies upon compare the types of education that men graduation. Table (6-4).

Table (6-4): Number of female students in academic and in vocational secondary education (2011-2012)

Academic secondary Vocational secondary education education Number of students 101753 9724 Share of total 91.2% 8.7% Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2012c

120 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 In 2011-2012, women accounted for and friendly environments are recognized only 31 percent of total enrollment in as important factors to promote female secondary vocational schools and they participation. For those few female students were concentrated mainly in a small who do enroll in TVET, their choice of courses number of vocational programs provided becomes another limitation. In general, in more “female-friendly” surroundings and females enroll in programs that are deemed limited to traditional female professions “appropriate” for them and that align with like hairdressing or nursing. The reasons their interests. They often choose clerical behind the low female enrollment rate in and ofce-related courses and trade and TVET, despite the promising employment craft-related vocations, such as hairdressing, opportunities it ofers, are numerous and personal care and beauty treatment, leather well known. Addressing them might help clothing, and tailoring. Males tend to make to slowly start infuencing perceptions and traditional choices as well: machinery and choices of prospective female students and vehicle operation, metal formations and their families. While there are cultural barriers mechanics, and electronics and equipment to women’s participation, accessibility technology, etc. Table (6-5).

Table (6-5): TVET training courses by gender among youth aged 16-26

TVET Course Interest Male % female %

Communication /IT 55 45 Trades, Crafts and Related Vocations 28 72 Electronics and Equipment Technology 62 38 Catering and Hospitality 61 39 Clerical/Ofce Functions 30 70 Metal Formations and Mechanics 97 3 Agriculture and Horticulture 80 20 Machinery and Vehicle Operation 94 6 Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014c b. Health The improvement in maternal health is a result of comprehensive insurance policies, The Government has paid special attention obligatory health programs, and nation- to women’s and children’s health and wide health awareness campaigns targeting developed several national projects and mothers (the breast cancer awareness programs. These eforts, and many others, campaign is an example). have led to an improvement in all of the However, there is still an urgent need following indicators during 2007-2013: to address health related problems that decrease in mortality rates (19 of every women face. The most important ones are: 100,000 live births); increase in the expected the increase in incidences of complications life span for both genders (76.7 years for caused by pregnancy; fetal deaths; higher women); increase in the number of female breast cancer rates; fuctuating fertility rates; doctors (from 15.5 percent to 18 percent); and the high number of women with closely increase in the number of female dentists spaced pregnancies. (from 32.7 percent to 36.7 percent); increase in the number of female nurses (from 53.6 percent to 74.6 percent); and an increase in the percentage of pharmacists (from 54.4 percent to 59.6 percent).

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 121 c. Violence There is still an urgent need As a result of increased general social to coordinate eforts, gather awareness of violence against women, transparent statistics, and more women report cases of violence and are being supported by governmental and support women’s access to nongovernmental organizations. Further, justice. Further, there needs to several organizations and special centers be strengthened coordination have been established to deal with violence against women, including the government with community-based entity “Family Protection Department”, who organizations that provide receive calls from women who are victims programs and services to of violence. Some work in coordination with other organizations, like the “Fighting women who are victims of Violence against Women Network – Sham’a” violence in order to ensure under the umbrella of the Jordanian National that social and psychological Commission for Women Afairs. In addition, there is legislation in place to prevent care and shelter are provided and protect women from violence and to children sufering from transgression, especially human trafcking violence. and domestic violence.

There is still an urgent need to increase eforts, gather transparent statistics, Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of data on improve women’s access to justice, violence against women. A study from 2012, improve coordination with community- named “Violence against Women in Jordan,” based organizations that provide services found that the prevalence of violence to women who are victims of violence, against women is the same regardless of the improve the social and psychological care husband’s educational level or profession. provided to children sufering from violence, The study found that 45 percent of women and implement strategies, policies and have experienced, and 55 percent have national legislations. The Juvenile Act needs witnessed, violence during their childhood. to be implemented in order to warrant 28 percent of abused women believe that proper protection, care, and just trials for a husband has the right to control his wife’s juveniles. Further, the Protection Act against behavior and 93 percent believe that a wife domestic violence should be adopted, as is obliged to obey her husband. After each well as the “Children Rights Act”. In addition incidence of abuse, women reported feeling to legislation, programs need to focus on insecure, ashamed, frightened, confned, changing attitudes and norms and strive to and stigmatized. 70 percent of abused become less dependent on external funding women believe that husbands have the and grants. right to beat their wives if they insult their husbands, leave the house without asking for permission, and neglect their children. Figure (6-3) shows the distribution of women who have been abused by their husbands by governorate.

122 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Figure (6-3): Domestic Violence by Governorate

Irbid 26% Jarash 29%

Ajlun 18% Mafraq 21%

Balqa 23%

Zarqa Madaba 28% 18% Amman Percentages of Women 23% who are Married ages 15-49 Karak 14% and were exposed to one form of violence from Tafela 22% their spouses.

Ma'an 20%

Aqaba 21%

Sourse: Information from "Violence Against Women in Jordan 2012

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 123 d. Political Empowerment Women and Regional The current turmoil in the Arab region Disparities has brought attention to the importance of increasing women’s participation in The DoS, in cooperation with the Higher politics. Even though women in Jordan Population Council, recently published the enjoy economic, social, and political rights, Regional Gender Equality Index (RGEI). The and Jordan has drafted laws to strengthen index assessed regional gender disparity women’s political participation, they are and is based on 17 indicators on the still underrepresented in decision making governorate level: (1) Female literacy rates; processes. Women are slowly reaching (2) Female literacy rates compared to male infuential political positions, which has literacy rates; (3) Percentage of women been made possible by the political will with a university degree; (4) Percentage of and support of His Majesty King Abdullah II. women with a university degree compared His Majesty King Abdullah II has promoted to the male percentage; (5) Percentage women’s participation in the political of females in administrative boards of system by creating a quota system for charity organizations; (6) Percentage of parliamentary seats and appointments to females in administrative boards in charity senior administrative positions. In 2013, organizations compared to males in the same 606 candidates ran for elections; 105 were positions; (7) Percentage of female members women. In the 2013 parliamentary elections, in municipal councils; (8) Percentage of 15 women got elected through the quota female members in municipal councils system; only two women got parliamentary compared to males in the same positions; seats outside of the quota system. Women (9) Percentage of economically active make up 12 percent of the Parliament. females; (10) Percentage of economically active females compared to economically The amendment of the Municipalities Law active males; (11) Female unemployment has increased women’s employment rates from 20 to 25 percent; increased women’s rates; (12) Female unemployment rates participation rate in the Judicial Authority compared to male unemployment rates; to 12.4 percent; and their occupation of (13) Percentage of women who are self- high level positions to 8 percent. Two of employed or own a business out of the Jordan’s political parties are led by women, total number of employed women; (14) and the Political Parties Law demands Percentage of women who are self- that political organizations applying for a employed or own a business out of the total political party license need to demonstrate number of employed women compared to that at least 10 percent of their members the same rate for males; (15) The female to are women. Women have held numerous male ratio in the age group of 20-39; (16) cabinet positions throughout Jordan’s Average annual income for female-headed history; Jordan has even had a female households; and (17) Average annual Deputy Prime Minister. However, only one income for female-headed households woman has held this position and the compared to the average annual income for number of females in high level positions male-headed households. continues to be low. Women’s participation The value of the index ranged between 1.72 rate is only 1.3 percent in the chamber of and 3.06. The highest values were found in commerce, 8.5 percent in the chamber of all regions, and the lowest index values were industry, 4.9 percent in syndicates’ councils, distributed in the north and middle regions. and 29.1 percent in political parties. Further, Findings indicated that: women are underrepresented in the cabinet and committees that determine Jordanian • Madaba had the highest score on the policies in various sectors. index (3.06); Ajloun and Aqaba were second with a value of 2.83; and Mafraq and Tafleh ranked number three with a score of 2.67.

124 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 • Irbid ranked seventh on the index with a • Aqaba’s low index score was a result of the score of 2.22, Balqaa ranked second to last indicator on the female to male ratio of with a value of 2.0, and Zarqa ranked last individuals aged 20-39. with a score of 1.72. • The substantial increase of the average • Policies aimed at increasing education yearly income for female-headed and awareness had a positive impact on households in Amman improved the reducing illiteracy rates in Amman, Zarqa, governorate’s index. In Amman, the and Ajloun and increasing the number average income was 8,634.2 JD; Aqaba of women with university degrees in had the second highest average income of Tafleh, Amman, Karak, and Madaba, 7,001.2 JD. which was refected in the index for these governorates. • Zarqa scored the lowest on the index due to low values on several indicators: • The indicator for female participation females with university degrees; female in administrative boards of charity economic participation rates; percentage organizations played a big role in of women who were self-employed or determining the index value for Ajloun, owned a business; as well as low political Mafraq, and Ma’an. The indicator for female and social participation. 51 participation in municipal councils was a determining factor in the index for Jerash, Aqaba, Mafraq, Ajloun, and Madaba. • Tafleh, Karak, and Madaba scored high because of the indicator on economic participation.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 125 Figure (6-4): Regional Gender Equality Index – Women’s Empowerment Map, 2013

Regional Gender Equality Index

Irbid 2.22 Jarash 2.56

Ajlun 2.83 Mafraq 2.67

Balqa 2

Zarqa Madaba 1.72 3.06 Amman 2.61 Women empowerment map 2013 Karak 2.61

Tafela 2.67

Ma'an 2.5

Aqaba 2.83

Sourse: Information from "Violence Against Women in Jordan 2012

126 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Female unemployment rate Average yearly income of female headed households Female unemployment rate vs. male unemployment rate vs. males who own their own businesses Percentage of females who own their own businesses Females to males ratio (ages 20-39) Percentage of females who own their own businesses Female rates illiteracy with university degrees Percentage of females with university degrees vs. males Percentage of females with university degrees university with females of Percentage active males active Percentage of economically females active vs. economically Female illiteracy rates vs. male illiteracy rates illiteracy male vs. rates illiteracy Female Percentage of economically females active councils in charity organizations. organizations vs. males in administrative Percentage of females in administrative councils in charity organizations Percentage of females in administrative councils in charity vs. average yearly income of male headed households Average yearly income of female headed households males in municipal councils Percentage of females in municipal councils vs. Percentage of females in municipal councils Source : governorate, 2013 Table (6-6): Indicators Used Index Regional Equality in the Gender by gender and Information from Regional Gender Equality Index 2013 Information from Index Equality Regional Gender Indicator Amman 8634.2 92.7 0.22 13.4 0.43 29.9 0.02 29.2 0.78 17.2 2.52 0.8 0.2 3.6 2.2 6.8 19 5746.2 Balqa 88.1 0.26 15.6 0.43 0.15 23.3 0.94 2.76 13.5 0.8 0.1 1.8 1.6 19 30 13 5793.4 Zarqa 91.3 0.13 29.9 0.14 32.8 0.43 0.8 0.1 1.4 1.8 0.8 3.1 9.3 39 8 8 Madaba Madaba 6299.3 93.4 0.29 18.8 0.45 0.23 1.13 16.1 2.37 12.8 0.9 0.2 3.4 1.6 20 31 24 Irbid 6525.5 93.6 12.3 0.14 12.4 0.12 35.4 0.97 12.5 3.31 10.6 0.8 0.4 6.2 2.6 0.2 41 Governorate 5855.9 Mafraq 0.22 13.2 0.46 31.5 0.22 50.4 1.26 12.6 2.39 18.4 0.8 0.3 3.9 91 20 2 5866.3 Jerash 90.9 11.6 0.46 31.7 0.48 1.13 14.4 2.66 11.7 0.7 0.1 2.2 2.1 0.2 19 39 6666 Ajloun 0.27 14.8 0.45 31.1 0.27 53.1 1.21 14.5 2.94 0.9 0.1 1.5 2.8 95 19 10 5562.1 Karak 99.1 0.35 21.9 0.43 30.3 0.15 28.3 1.34 16.9 2.79 14.5 0.6 0.2 3.3 20 2 2770.5 0.36 22.5 0.44 30.4 0.38 34.4 17.6 13.7 Ta f leh 0.3 0.3 2.1 2.2 1.5 2.8 97 19 6106.9 Ma’an 86.9 0.23 13.4 0.43 30.3 1.14 1.32 10.4 2.66 24.7 0.8 0.1 1.3 1.4 19 50 Aqaba 7001.2 69.2 0.19 12.1 0.46 31.6 1.08 45.2 0.98 2.25 13.5 0.9 0.8 8.5 1.5 9.6 41

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 127 Conclusion

This chapter confrms that women’s low participation continues to be a major development obstacle in Jordan. Female employment continues to be the main hurdle to women’s empowerment. There are considerable diferences between governorates. In Tafleh and Karak, approximately 22 percent of females are economically active. In Zarqa, however, only 8 percent of women are working or seeking employment. In Jerash and Aqaba, the percentage is 12 percent. In regards to education, Jordanians are well educated and have equal access to education services. In addition, indicators on women’s health, in particular the MDGs, have refected large nation-wide improvements in the past decade. Women are also relatively well represented in the informal sector. According to the participants in three of the workshop that were held during the research phase of this report, there are not enough studies that look at the engagement of women in the economic and political life. Gender and development issues are not being given enough consideration at the national level. The gender gap in the capital Amman is bigger than in other governorates as women are required to work in poorer governorates in order to support family members.

128 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

JUSTICE SYSTEM

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 129 CHAPTER SEVEN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND STATE CAPACITY

130 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 competent judges who are able to issue Introduction verdicts in accordance with the law. They must do so with complete impartiality and The Jordanian Constitution recognizes the under no infuence, whether material or judiciary as one of the three separate and moral, from any individual or institution independent branches of government. regardless of the end sought by this infuence, Jordan’s current legal system is based on be it political, social, partisan, occupational, the Constitution, the Court Establishment economic or otherwise. An independent Law of 2001, the civil and criminal code, and judge guarantees the establishment of Islamic and religious laws in family cases. Its justice and equality in society, and frees legal system has been infuenced by many the judiciary from suspicion. Numerous sources. It developed from codes of law international instruments on human instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based rights guarantee the right to access to on French law), which were supplemented independent tribunals, in particular Article 8 by British laws during the British mandate. of the United Nations Universal Declaration Islamic law has also been infuential and has, of Human Rights of 1948, which states: in many ways, modifed the earlier European “Everyone has the right to an efective models. remedy from the relevant national tribunals The judiciary is responsible for the for acts violating the fundamental rights interpretation and application of Jordan’s granted him by the Constitution or by law”. laws. As a branch of the government, its main Article 10 of the same Declaration stipulates: objective is to serve the people by ensuring “Everyone is entitled, in full equality, to a equal justice under the law. An efective fair and public hearing by an independent judiciary system recognizes the value and and impartial tribunal, in the determination importance of integrity and equality, and of his rights and obligations and of any of maintaining the rights and liberties of criminal charge against him”, while Article citizens as stated in Jordan’s Constitution 11 stresses the importance of holding public and as guaranteed by the country’s laws. trials that provide the necessary safeguards for defending suspects charged with penal ofences.

According to the Jordanian Judicial The Judicial System: Independence Law No. 29 of 2014, the judiciary is independent, specialized, and Independence and neutral and stands on equal footing with Transparency the executive and legislative branches. In addition, the Judicial Independence Law Judicial independence is closely linked to stipulated the establishment of the Judicial issues of justice, equality, freedom, and Council and outlined its duties, meetings, rule of law. Judicial independence does meetings quorum, and voting procedures. not mean complete separation from the It also outlined the Judicial Council’s powers other branches but rather having a balance with respect to overseeing the afairs of between the three. judges.

The independence of the judiciary is The recent constitutional amendments important for ensuring justice and protecting of 2011 sought to strengthen the human rights. The lack of an independent independence of the Judicial Council judicial system jeopardizes the rights and to protect human rights and freedoms. freedoms of citizens and renders them One of the amendments was to add the vulnerable to violations by the executive word “independence” to Article 27 of the or legislative authorities or by those in Constitution which reads as follows: “The other powerful positions. Meanwhile, an Judicial Power shall be exercised by the courts independent and impartial judiciary curbs of law in their varying types and degrees. All arbitrariness, ensures non-interference, judgments shall be given in accordance with and upholds the rights of citizens. The the law and pronounced in the name of the mandate of the judiciary cannot be realized king.” Further, Article 98 of the Constitution without impartial, honest, trustworthy, and was amended to establish, by law, for the

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 131 frst time, a Judicial Council to handle afairs Arbitration related to civil courts. The Judicial Council alone will have the right to appoint civil Arbitration has been the traditional mean judges. The new statutory Judicial Council of settling disputes since the creation of will assume the management of all matters modern Jordan. The frst formal statute to relating to the appointment, promotion, regulate arbitration was the Arbitration Law transfer, and retirement of judges without of 1953 (and its amendments) which was any interference from the Executive. annulled by the current Arbitration Law of 2001. The Law of 2001 is mainly based on the Independence of Judges United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the Model The Jordanian Constitution stresses the Law of 1985 on International Commercial independence of judges; they are subject to Arbitration. no authority other than that of the law. The Government has no authority to interfere • Ad hoc and Institutional Arbitration in the judiciary. Any infringement on this The parties to a dispute can either agree would afect the dignity of the judiciary in advance to use arbitration to settle the and disrupt the balance between the three dispute or they can choose to enter into branches and, ultimately, undermine the an ad hoc agreement to arbitrate. In ad basis of ruling. It is the duty of judges to hoc agreements in Jordan, the parties to comply with international conventions that a contract might negotiate a whole set of prohibit interference and to be independent custom-made arbitration rules, establishing from any infuence of the executive and the procedures that will ft their needs and legislative branches. address all eventualities. Or, the parties might sufce with a simple arbitration clause Settling Disputes in Jordan to be included in their contract with a simple reference to statutory procedures such as Jordan has an advanced legal system that the Jordanian Arbitration Law. They can also has been revised and modernized in recent adopt rules designed specifcally for ad hoc years. Many old laws have been either arbitral proceedings, such as the UNCITRAL amended or replaced to allow the country to rules. adopt best practices from other developed countries in order to provide the best legal • International Arbitration system. Jordan has acceded to several important In Jordan, there are diferent ways to bilateral and multilateral conventions settle a dispute. The main mean of dispute and treaties concerning arbitration and settlement is to refer the dispute to the enforcement. Among these are: the Riyadh Jordanian courts. However, it is still possible Arab Treaty on Judicial Collaboration; to settle disputes by referring them to the Amman Arab Treaty on Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Arbitration; the Settlement of Investment mechanisms; the major ADRs in Jordan are Disputes in the Arab Countries Treaty; and arbitration and mediation. the Arab Treaty on Commercial Arbitration, which stipulates that an Arab Center for Commercial Arbitration shall be established, although this has yet to materialize.

Jordan is also party to numerous bilateral agreements and treaties concerning ADR mechanisms, especially regarding arbitration.

Jordan has an advanced legal system that has been revised and modernized in recent years. Many old laws have been either amended or replaced in order to provide the best legal protection for citizens.

132 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Mediation If the Mediator was successful in reaching a complete or partial settlement, he or she Mediation may range from minimal should present a report to the Administrator intervention, merely facilitating information of the Lawsuits Judge or the Magistrate fows between the parties, to a more Judge enclosing the settlement signed comprehensive role of ofering external by the disputants. The Judge will have advice and information, evaluating options, to endorse the settlement, which then is proposing solutions, and promoting certain considered a fnal judgment. At the end outcomes. In Jordan, the frst use of mediation of the mediation process, regardless of on a relatively wide scale occurred with the whether the mediation resulted in resolving establishment of mediation procedures by the dispute or not, the Mediator shall the Law of Mediation for the Settlement of return to each party any documents he or Civil Disputes of 2003, recently replaced by she received from that party. Furthermore, the Law of 2006. According to the Mediation the proceedings of the Mediation shall be Law of 2006, the Administration of Mediation deemed confdential. No information used in the court consists of several Magistrate in the course of Mediation shall be used by Court and First Instance Court judges who the disputants before any court or before are nominated by the Chairman of the First any other authority. Instance Court. In addition to the Mediation Judges, the Head of the Judicial Council may Alternative Dispute nominate Private Mediators such as retired Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms judges, lawyers, and other professionals with long experience, known for their impartiality In case of labor disputes, the Minister of Labor and integrity. may appoint one or more Ministry ofcials, according to the Jordanian Labor Law. These The legislative framework in Jordan ofcials will serve as conciliation ofcers and encourages disputants to resort to mediation carry out mediation for the settlement of as an ADR method; such encouragement can collective labor disputes for the sector that be observed in the new Law of Mediation the Minister specifes and for the duration which stipulates the following: that he or she deems appropriate. The Administrator of the Lawsuits Judge, • If, for any reason, the conciliation ofcer and, after meeting with the parties or their later on, the Minister, are not able to achieve a lawyers, have the authority to pass on settlement between the parties, the Minister any fled case to the Mediation Judge or shall refer the dispute to a Conciliation Board to a Private Mediator upon the request that he or she shall set up. The Conciliation or approval of the disputants. In all Board will consist of a chairman who shall be circumstances, and to the extent possible, appointed by the Minister – and who shall the judge shall consider the agreement have no connection to the dispute or with of both parties on the nomination of the any trade unions or employers associations Mediator. – and two or more members representing • The parties in a dispute, pursuant to the employers and workers (equal number of acceptance of the Administrator of the representatives on each side), each party Lawsuits Judge or the Magistrate Judge, appointing its own representatives on the have the right to resolve their dispute by board. If the Conciliation Board fails to settle mediation by referring their dispute to any the dispute, the Minister shall refer the person they deem appropriate. In this case, dispute to a labor tribunal that shall consist the Mediator shall determine his or her of three judges commissioned by the Judicial fees in coordination with the disputants. Council for that purpose, upon the request In case the dispute is settled amicably, the of the Minister. This tribunal’s decisions plaintif shall retrieve the previously paid are binding and fnal to the parties of the legal fees. dispute and cannot be challenged before any judicial or administrative authority.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 133 Description of the Judicial Judicial Council Authority’s Institutional The Judicial Council manages all afairs related to regular judges. It has general Framework oversight over regular judges in terms of appointment, transfer, secondment, The Judicial Authority is considered one promotion, retirement, acceptance of the three State powers and its functions of resignation, termination of judicial are considered complementary to national appointment, and the imposition of eforts carried out by the legislative and disciplinary measures. The organizational executive powers. The Judicial Authority structure of the Judicial Council is comprised carries out its duties through an institutional of: structure that is comprised of: -Judges Afairs Unit 1- Regular Courts The Judges Afairs Unit handles the following 2- Judicial Council tasks: 3- Judicial Inspection Body • Implementing decisions related to judges’ appointment, promotion, transfer, 4- Public Prosecution secondment, granting of vacation time, 5- State Lawyer Department disciplinary decisions, termination or ending of their services, and following 6- Technical Ofce at the Court of Cassation up on related personnel issues and administrative procedures; 7- Judicial Institute of Jordan • Providing administrative support services 8- Judicial Council Administrative Units to judges.

- Training and Specialization Unit Regular Courts The Training and Specialization Unit handles the following tasks: Regular courts in Jordan exercise the right to try all persons in all civil and criminal matters, • Identifying training needs of judges, with the exception of matters falling under organizing and following-up on courses the jurisdiction of religious courts (tribunals) for judges, and organizing measures or special courts, according to the provisions pertinent to their research in accordance of other laws. with current legislation;

Regular courts include frst level courts • Organizing training programs, courses, (Conciliation and First Instance), second and activities, and ensuring the availability level courts, which are the Amman, Irbid, of training venues and other relevant and Maan Appeals Courts, and the Court of requirements for implementing the Cassation, which is the top echelon of the programs, including training materials judiciary. Following the 2011 Constitutional and publications; amendments, administrative justice is • Following-up on matters related to carried out by the Administrative Court scientifc scholarships for judges; and decisions can be appealed by the High Administrative Court. There are other courts • Preparing information and conducting as well, including the Major Felonies Court, necessary studies related to the the Tax First Instance and Appeals Courts, specialization of judges in civil and the Customs First Instance and Appeals criminal chambers in accordance with Courts, and the Lands and Water Settlement current legislation. Court.

134 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 - Planning and Development Unit the direct administrative supervisor of the Directorate’s inspectors and staf. Inspectors The Planning and Development Unit handles are appointed by a decision of the Judicial the following tasks: Council and are selected from judges whose ranks are no less than second level, for a • Preparing the Annual Plan of the period of three years, subject to renewal. Council and its units and supervising The services of an inspector cannot be its implementation after the Council’s terminated, nor can he/she be subjected to endorsement; retirement, transfer, or secondment unless it • Contributing to the development of work is upon his/her own request, based upon the plans and programs that are necessary recommendation of the Chief Inspector. The for the operations of courts and public Chief Inspector submits Directorate reports, prosecutions; and that of the inspectors, relating to Judicial Inspection reports over judges, judicial • Preparing the Annual Courts Report; assistants, and the afairs of courts and the public prosecution, to both the Chief Justice Managing the Council’s website. • and the Minister of Justice. - Ofce of the Chief Justice The Judicial Inspection Directorate handles - Judicial Council’s Secretariat the following tasks:

The Chief Justice shall choose a secretary, 1- Inspecting the work of judges, members from the Council staf, who is responsible for: of the prosecution body, State Lawyer assistants, and Execution Judges, with the • Preparing the agenda for the Council’s exception of higher-level judges; sessions; 2-Evaluating judges’ work in terms of • Inviting Council members to, and informing the proper application of the law, the them of, session dates; fulfllment of litigation, evidentiary procedures, reasons for postponement, • Preparing Council decisions, and have case duration until judgment issuance, them signed by the Chief Justice and the proper reasoning and justifcation of attending members, before recording judgments reached, and determining the them in a special registry after which they annual clearance rate of each judge; are fled and archived; 3- Inspecting the work of Public Prosecution • Documenting all records related to the Departments, Execution Departments, the Council and its work; State Lawyer Department, Notary Public Departments, and courts staf; • Any duties assigned to him/her by the Chief Justice. 4- Reviewing and investigating complaints fled against judges. The Council, upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice, may second any judge to carry out the director’s duties of any of the Public Prosecution units, either as full time work or in addition to his/her assigned duties. The public prosecution body is comprised of the Prosecutor General, Attorney Generals, Judicial Inspection Body and Public Prosecutors. A judge holding the title of Prosecutor General is appointed at The Judicial Inspection body is under the the Court of Cassation and he/she performs Ministry of Justice, where the Judicial the functions of the Prosecutor General Inspection Directorate was established. The before the Court of Cassation. In addition, Judicial Inspection is comprised of the Chief at each Court of Appeal, a judge holding Inspector along with other inspectors. The the title of Attorney General is appointed Chief Inspector is appointed pursuant to the to exercise all the powers granted to him/ decision of the Judicial Council and a Royal her in the Criminal Procedures Code and decree. The Chief Inspector is appointed other laws. Both the Chief Attorney General from among higher-level judges. He/she is

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 135 and the Prosecutor General have assistants State Lawyer Department with all powers conferred upon them. Furthermore, in each First Instance Court, The Judicial Council, upon the nomination of at least one judge holds the title of Public the Minister of Justice, appoints one senior Prosecutor and it is possible to appoint a level judge as the State Lawyer. In addition, Public Prosecutor to any Conciliation Court. the Judicial Council assigns a number of judges as his/her assistants. Representatives of the public prosecution body handle the fling of criminal cases The State Lawyers and his/her assistants, and follow-up on them as outlined in the who are either hired or appointed according Criminal Procedures Code and other laws. to the provisions of the law, represent the state in all civil cases related to the treasury, All members and staf of the public cases fled by the state, or cases fled against prosecution apparatus within the Appeals it. and First Instance levels fall under the Attorney General and are tasked to The State Lawyer and his/her assistants implement his/her orders and the orders of are administratively linked to the Minister the Minister of Justice in their administrative of Justice; the State Lawyer is the direct afairs, the fling of cases, and all follow- supervisor of his/her assistants and clerks up matters. Additionally, all of them are that are assigned to the department. accountable to the Prosecutor General and are linked to the Minister of Justice within the The State Lawyer may assign any of his/ hierarchy of said levels. All judicial staf are her assistants to represent the government subject to the supervision of the Prosecutor before courts either on a full time or part General and his/her designees with respect time basis. If needed, he/she may, upon the to their judicial functions. approval of the Minister of Justice, assign on his/her behalf any of the Public Prosecutor Jordanian public prosecutors recognize or Attorney General assistants to appear the advantages of specialization. Some before the courts. specializations already exist in the form of high felony prosecutors and other specialized The State Lawyer provides a monthly report courts, but the public prosecution service is to both the Minister of Justice and the possibly too small to support much more Minister of Finance on the progress of cases specialization – at least formally. Some in which he/she represents as well as the topical specialization will occur naturally as judgments he/she is executing. In addition, ofces face new types of crimes. The Chief the State Lawyer provides an Annual Report Public Prosecutor should be empowered at the end of December of each year to the to designate topic matter experts between Minister of Justice, who, in turn, submits it to jurisdictions when need arises. the Chief Justice. One area of specialization that the Judicial Technical Ofce at the Court Council should consider is criminal justice. When criminal justice practitioners of Cassation accumulate experience and knowledge from the feld, it will help them become A Technical Ofce is established at the Court efective public prosecutor leaders within of Cassation to provide legal, technical, the police and lead to better investigations. and administrative support to the Court of It is wasteful to train a public prosecutor, let Cassation. The Technical Ofce is managed him/her gain valuable experience, and then by a senior-level judge who is seconded by render it irrelevant by re-assigning him/her the Judicial Council, either in addition to his/ to civil work. A specialized criminal career her judicial work or on a full-time basis. The track will more efectively utilize those appointment of the Technical Ofce director scarce resources. shall be based on the nomination of the Chief Justice and for a renewable period of four years. The director is assisted by a number

136 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 of judges seconded by the Judicial Council, 2- Chief Attorney General; upon the nomination of the director, for a renewable period of two years. The most 3- Secretary General of the Ministry of senior judge of the aforementioned judges Justice; is the deputy director and carries out the 4- Director of the Judicial Institute of Jordan; director’s duties during his/her absence. 5- Two judges of no less than “special” rank, The administrative staf of the Technical appointed by the Judicial Council upon Ofce shall be Ministry of Justice employees the nomination of the Minister of Justice assigned by the Minister of Justice for this for a period of two years, subject to purpose. The Technical Ofce performs the renewal. During this period, it is possible following functions: to replace both or one of the judges by 1- Providing the legal, technical, and appointing a replacement through the administrative support to the Court of same process as when completing the Cassation. This includes the classifcation membership term. of cases and motions fled before it 6- President of the Jordan Bar Association; and their distribution among judicial chambers according to specialization. Its 7-Two faculty members from public functions also include providing judicial Jordanian Universities, each holding a chambers with necessary legislation, rank no less than Associate Professor in past judgments and precedents related Law, appointed by the Minister of Justice, to each case according to its type and in coordination with the President of the subject matter, as well as any legal studies University in question, for a renewable and research they may need; period of two years. The Minister may, during that period, similarly appoint a 2- Drawing legal principles based on replacement for the remainder of his/her decisions and judgments issued by the board membership term. Court of Cassation, classifying them, and undertaking necessary measures to A judge, seconded by the Judicial Council facilitate their publication; upon the nomination of the Minister of Justice, manages the Institute. This judge 3- Analyzing judicial precedents and should have no less than 20 years of judicial providing the necessary studies and service experience, or of judicial service and opinions to the President of the Court the practice of law collectively; the term of of Cassation, which contribute to the his/her service is for two years and is subject establishment of legal principles; to renewal. The director’s tenure ends upon 4- Providing courts with legislation and the expiry of his/her secondment, or by the legal precedents that the Director deems secondment of a replacement. A deputy necessary for dissemination; director exercises the director’s powers during his/her absence. 5- Any other functions or tasks assigned by the Judicial Council or the President of The Judicial Institute of Jordan aims at the Cassation Court. achieving the following: 1- Preparing qualifed candidates to take on Judicial Institute of Jordan judicial functions;

A board of directors that is chaired by the 2- Strengthening the competence of Minister of Justice and includes each of the judges and court staf, and building their following members supervises the Judicial scientifc research skills through training Institute of Jordan: courses organized by the Institute;

1- Chief Judge of the Court of Higher Justice/ 3- Exchanging expertise and best practices, Deputy Chairperson; and cooperating with similar institutes in the Arab region and in other foreign countries;

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 137 4- Encouraging cooperation with Arab and legislative proposals related to litigation foreign entities in judicial work. procedures and public prosecution. Jordan’s Judicial Council is composed of 11 member To achieve the above, the Institute judges, including: undertakes the following tasks: 1. President: President of the Cassation 1- Ofering preparatory (non–academic) Court; programs for BA holders in law and providing candidates who pass the 2. Vice President: President of the Supreme program a diploma certifcate from the Administrative Court; Judicial Institute of Jordan. It also ofers other preparatory training programs that 3. President of the Public Prosecution of the are necessary for assuming judicial posts. Cassation Court;

2- Holding continuing legal education 4. The two most senior judges in the trainings, seminars, and workshops that Cassation Court; target judges, staf, and those seconded 5. The Presidents of the Appeal Courts of to study at the Judicial Institute. Amman, Irbid, and Ma’an; 3- The Judicial Institute also ofers a non– 6. Senior inspectors in the regular Courts; academic, one–year preparatory program for non-lawyers who hold, at a minimum, 7. Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice; a frst level university degree, to prepare and, qualifed candidates to assume legal positions at the Ministry. Candidates 8. The President of the First Instance Court. who pass the program are granted a At the invitation of the Council’s President, paralegal certifcate. The Minister, upon the Judicial Council meets at the Cassation the recommendation of the Scientifc Court in the Palace of Justice in Amman, or Committee, shall issue the necessary elsewhere as determined by the President. instructions to determine admission A minimum number of seven Judicial criteria and conditions for granting the Council members are required to attend the certifcate, provided that the criteria meeting in order to have it deemed legal. include passing the admissions test. Judicial Council decisions are issued by reaching consensus or an absolute majority Judicial Council by all members. When votes are equally distributed, the most senior judges from the The Judicial Council was developed Cassation Court join the Council as voting in support of recent constitutional members. amendments that aim to augment the authority and independence of the judicial branch in Jordan. The presence of the Courts in Jordan Judicial Council serve as a reminder of the The Jordanian Constitution regulates the importance of creating a democratic society provisions related to the Judicial Authority governed by a separation of powers. in Chapter Six, Articles 97 through 110, in Jordan’s Judicial Council represents the addition to Article 27 as outlined below: judiciary’s highest administrative body Article 27 of the Constitution states that and has the legal authority to oversee • “The Judicial Power shall be exercised by the afairs of all judges in the country on the courts of law in their varying types and matters related to employment, discipline, degrees. All judgments shall be given in accountability, transportation, promotions, accordance with the law and pronounced loans, mandates, and retirement. in the name of the King.” As a policy-making body, the Judicial Pursuant to article 97 of the Constitution, Council has a demonstrated interest and • judges are independent in the exercise commitment to promoting the development of their judicial functions, and they are of Jordan’s judiciary. The Judicial Council’s subject to no authority other than that of primary role is to help the Judiciary prepare the law. draft laws and regulations by submitting

138 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 • Pursuant to article 98 of the Constitution, • Regular Courts shall exercise their judges of the civil and Sharia courts shall jurisdiction pertinent to civil and criminal be appointed and dismissed by a Royal matters in accordance with the laws in Decree, in accordance with the provisions force, provided that, in matters afecting of the law. Accordingly, the Judicial the personal status of foreigners or in Council manages all afairs related to matters of civil or commercial nature regular court judges, while the hiring and which, in accordance with international dismissal of judges shall be based on a norms, are governed by the law of another Royal Decree; only the Judicial Council country, such law shall be applied in the shall have the right to appoint regular manner designated by the law. Matters of judges in accordance with the law. personal status are those that are defned as such by law and in accordance therewith • Article 99 of the Constitution specifes fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the types of courts: regular (civil) courts, the Sharia Courts where the parties are religious courts, and special courts, as Muslims. detailed below. • According to articles 104, 105 and 106 • According to article 100 of the Constitution, of the Constitution, religious courts the establishment of the various courts, are divided into Sharia Courts and the including their categories, divisions, Tribunals of other religious communities. jurisdiction, and administration, shall be Sharia courts shall, in accordance with by virtue of a special law, and it requires their own laws, have exclusive jurisdiction the establishment of a High Court of over matters of personal status of Muslims, Justice, whose law shall state that the cases concerning blood money (Diya) administrative judiciary should be at two (where the parties are Muslims or where levels. one of the parties is Muslim and the two parties consent to the jurisdiction of the • According to article 101 of the Constitution, Sharia courts), and matters pertaining the courts shall be open to all and shall be to Islamic Waqfs (religious bequest or free from any interference in their afairs. endowment). Sharia courts, in the exercise No civilian may be tried in a criminal case of their jurisdiction, apply the provisions before a court whose judges are not all of the Sharia law. civilians, with the exception of crimes of high treason, espionage, terrorism, drug • According to articles 108 and 109 crimes, and counterfeit currency. Court of the Constitution, the Tribunals of hearings shall be public, unless the court Religious Communities are for non- decides otherwise, in the interest of public Muslim religious communities, which order and morale. In all cases, however, have been or will be recognized as verdicts shall be pronounced during a established religious communities by public session. Furthermore, the accused the government. Tribunals of Religious is innocent until proven guilty. Communities shall be established in conformity with the provisions of relevant • Pursuant to Articles 102 and 103 of the laws. Such laws defne the jurisdiction of Constitution, regular courts in Jordan shall these Tribunals in matters of personal have jurisdiction over all persons in all status and Waqfs (religious bequest or matters, civil and criminal, including cases endowment) constituted for the beneft brought by or against the Government, of the community concerned. Matters of except those matters in which jurisdiction personal status from any such community is vested in Religious or Special Courts shall be the same, as in the case of Muslims, in accordance with the provisions of as within the jurisdiction of the Sharia the present Constitution or any other courts. Such laws shall determine the legislation in force. procedure to be followed by the Tribunals of the Religious Communities. • Pursuant to article 110 of the Constitution, Special Courts exercise their jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of the laws constituting them.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 139 a. Civil Courts b. Religious Courts

The Jordanian civil court system hears The religious courts in Jordan have all civil and criminal matters that do not jurisdiction solely over personal matters. fall under one of the special courts. In These include areas of family law such as ascending order of authority, the civil court marriage or divorce, child custody, adoption, system is comprised of: magistrate courts, and inheritance matters. Each major frst instance courts, courts of appeal, high religious group administers its own religious administrative courts, and the Court of laws (e.g. the Shari’a court system is used Cassation. for Muslim citizens, while Christian citizens have religious councils that serve a similar The magistrate courts have jurisdiction purpose). One exception is inheritance laws, over minor criminal matters, such as which, though administered through the misdemeanors or crimes where the sentence religious courts of the family’s religion, are cannot exceed two years, and civil matters still governed by Shari’a principles. where the penalty does not exceed 750 JD (about 1,000 US Dollars). c. Special Courts The Courts of First Instance have jurisdiction over more serious civil and criminal matters. The other courts in Jordan are limited to They will hear civil cases where penalties specialized or specifc jurisdictions. A military exceed 750 JD (about 1,050 US Dollars) and court deals with ofenses involving military criminal cases where the punishment may personnel and with national security crimes exceed two years of imprisonment. These (smuggling and bribery of public ofcials courts also play a limited appeal function etc.). Land settlement courts administer for minor criminal cases in the magistrate claims of ownership over unregistered land. courts. In the courts of frst instance, criminal A tax court deals with valuation disputes. matters are heard by a two-judge panel and There is a primary and appellate court for civil matters are heard by one judge. customs disputes.

Within the frst instance courts is a Major • Tax Appeals Court: This court hears cases Felonies Court. Its jurisdiction is limited to submitted against assessment and re- certain serious crimes which potentially assessment decisions of the Income and have sentences longer than three years. Sales Tax Assessment Ofcer. Cases in this court are heard by a three- • State Property Court: According to judge panel, and appeals go directly to the the interpretive memorandum of the Court of Cassation. Law on the Preservation of State Land The courts of appeal hear all appeals from the and Property, the justifcation for the Courts of First Instance and the magistrate establishment of this court is that “the courts. These courts apply a de novo review: slow court proceedings as well as the fact a three-judge panel may review the facts of that courts do not give cases of assault on each appealed case. state property a special importance has facilitated continuous assaults on such The Court of Cassation is the fnal appellate property. Moreover, courts issued easy court. It hears appeals on felony criminal judgments against assaulters and such matters and on civil judgments exceeding judgments were not being enforced.” 500 JD (about 700 US Dollars). The court may hear other cases at its optional discretion. • Customs Courts: These courts look into It also decides on jurisdictional disputes customs related crimes and disputes between the lower courts. Cases are heard arising from the Customs Law and by at least 5 judges. the General Sales Tax Law and all its amendments.

• Settlement Court: This court has the jurisdiction to hear disputes related to land and water rights in addition to water claims related to irrigation.

140 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 • State Security Court: This court was • Gendarmerie Forces Court: This court established by virtue of the State Security has the jurisdiction to hear cases related Court Law. The court is constituted by to crimes committed by members of the the Prime Minister and some of its areas Gendarmerie Forces, or any previous of jurisdiction are also determined by member, if the crime was committed virtue of a resolution issued by the Prime during the term of service. This court is Minister. Despite the fact that Article 3 constituted, by virtue of an order issued by of the above-mentioned law defnes the the Director of the Gendarmerie Forces, of crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of Gendarmerie ofcers who hold a college this court, paragraph 11 of the same Article degree in law. grants the Prime Minister the authority to refer any case to this court if the Prime • The Military Council of the General Minister deems the case to be related to Intelligence Department: In accordance a security crime. The public prosecutor with Law No. 24 of 1964 on the General at this court is appointed by the Head of Intelligence Department (“GID Law”), the Joint Chiefs-of-Staf at the Jordanian the Director of the General Intelligence Armed Forces. Department appoints members of the Military Council and ratifes its decisions Judges of the State Security Court are that pertain to ofcers and members of appointed by the Prime Minister upon the the General Intelligence Department. recommendation of the Minister of Justice Judgments of the Council are considered with regard to civilian judges, and that of fnal and are not open to any contestation. the Head of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staf at the army with regards to military judges. The • The Court for the Trial of Ministers: This court is normally presided over by a military is the “High Tribunal” that the Constitution judge and has the authority to conduct provided for prior to the constitutional trials behind closed doors if deemed amendments and which was vested dictated by public interest. Due to the with the jurisdiction to try ministers and military character of its judges and public interpret constitutional provisions. This prosecution ofcers, who are normally court does no longer exist because of the subject to military discipline rules and who constitutional amendments that gave abide by the orders of those who are higher the regular courts the jurisdiction to try in rank, the independence of judges at this ministers for crimes that resulted from the court is questionable. This has proved to be performance of their functions, while the a real concern, as the Court of Cassation on interpretation of constitutional provisions numerous occasions has reversed the rulings was designated to a constitutional court. of the State Security Court and indicated The interpretation of the Constitution was that the court lacked independence and previously carried out by the High Tribunal failed to provide fair trial guarantees to the upon a request from the Council of Ministers defendants. In addition, numerous reports or a decision taken by the absolute majority have indicated that the public prosecution of the House of Representatives or the at the State Security Court issued previously Senate. The constitutional amendments prepared warrants and provided them to have annulled the right of the House of the General Intelligence Department as Representatives to accuse ministers and for cover for the detainment of persons without the House of Representatives to assume proper judicial decisions. the functions of public prosecutors before • Military courts: These courts have the this special court. Instead, the House of mandate to try members of the military for Representatives has been given the right crimes committed during military service. to vote on referring ministers to public prosecution, provided that the majority of • Police Court: This court has jurisdiction the House members shall pass the referral over crimes committed by members decision and that justifying reasons for such of the Public Security Department. It is decision are stated. constituted, by virtue of an order issued by the Director of the Public Security Department, of ofcers who hold a college degree in law.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 141 Since its establishment, the court has issued Constitutional Court 11 interpretation decisions, as follows:

Constitutional amendments issued on 1 1. Decision no. 7/2013: Interpretation October, 2011 approved a special chapter of article no. (86/1) of the Jordanian for establishing the Constitutional Court Constitution. in Articles 58, 59, 60, and 61, Law number 15, where Article number 58 of the 2. Decision no. 6/2013: Interpretation Constitutional amendments states that of article (59/2) of the Jordanian “Be established by law a constitutional Constitution. Court based in the capital considered as an independent judicial body stands 3. Decision no. 5/2013: Interpretation of alone and consisting of nine members at articles (93 and 94) of the Jordanian least including the chairman of the court Constitution. appointed by his Majesty”. His majesty, in 4. Decision no. 3/2013: Interpretation his instructions to the Royal Commission to of article (73/1) of the Jordanian amend the constitution, emphasized the Constitution. role that the Constitutional Court would play in the process of reform, and promoted the 5. Decision no. 2/2013: Interpretation principle of separation between powers and of article (94/a) of the Jordanian authorities, stopping the predominance of Constitution. each authority over the other and defending the people’s liberties and rights as stated in 6. Decision no. 1/2013: Interpretation the provisions of the constitution, especially of article (117) of the Jordanian after its amendments which are compatible Constitution. with international standards. 7. Decision no. 8/2013: Interpretation of The court began its tasks on 6 October, the airport agreement. 2012 and is still, in addition to being a 8. Decision no. 10/2013: Interpretation prominent constitutional entitlement, of a unifed law for the Judiciary and considered a cultural landmark and a Administrative Courts. prominent milestone in the comprehensive and gradual reforms led by his Majesty King 9. Decision no. 11/2013: Interpretation Abdullah II. Since before the start of the Arab of abrogating one article or law in a Spring, the Constitutional Court functions temporary law by a permanent law. as an independent body with independent judges. The Constitutional Court gets its 10. Decision no. 1/2014: Interpretation of mandate from the constitution and protects articles (89 and 92). the constitution in turn. 11. Decision no. 2/2014: Interpretation Also, any party to a pending case has the of the retirement of the Parliament right, in diferent types and levels of courts, members. to state the unconstitutionality of any law or regulation that is applicable to the merits of the case in accordance with the assets specifed in the Constitutional Court law. Human Rights

The Constitutional Court decides on the Protecting human rights has been an appeal assigned to it within a period not integral part of Jordan’s reform process and exceeding one hundred and twenty days continues to be an important instrument in from the date of the referral decision. The the democratization process. court has the right to ask for any data or information which it deems necessary for There are a number of guarantees which making a decision. ensure the respect, observance, and protection of human rights and which The court issues its decisions in the name assure their efective implementation. The of the King and the provisions issued by the main guarantees include: court are fnal and binding to all authorities.

142 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 1.The Jordanian Constitution is a key Political Rights and the International document which guarantees protection Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural of the full range of civil, political, Rights as early as 1977. Jordan was also the economic, social, and cultural rights and frst Arab state to ratify the Arab Human freedoms. The Constitution protects and Rights Convention and to submit its report promotes the rights of all Jordanians, to the Arab Human Rights Committee at including minorities, by stipulating that the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. In ‘Jordanians shall be equal before the law accordance with the principles embodied irrespective of their race, language or in the Constitution and in international religion’. Its provisions are consistent with charters, legislation has been enacted to international human rights principles and protect human rights. standards. 4. Jordan has taken important measures to 2. The recent constitutional amendments protect civil and political rights: reinforced the separation and balance of powers between state branches, • The National Human Rights Centre was strengthened the role of Parliament and set up as an independent body tasked the independence of the judiciary, and with conducting visits to detention introduced further guarantees for civil centers to check on prisoners, reform rights and freedoms: institutions, and receive complaints about human rights violations. The • Protecting freedom of expression Centre has published several reports that and the equality among citizens of all are critical of the government. denominations. • The Ofce of the Ombudsman was • Punishing any infringement on established pursuant to Act No. 11 of peoples’ rights and freedoms, including 2008, issued on 16 April 2008, as an criminalizing torture. independent monitoring mechanism which protects the rights of persons • The independent Constitutional Court will wishing to bring a grievance against guarantee that laws regulating the rights decisions of the administrative and freedoms in Jordan shall not weaken authorities. the substance of these rights or afect their fundamental principles. • The Ministry of Political Development was set up to support the political reform • Civilians will not be tried in any court process and raise public awareness of whose judges are not civilians. The State democratic and human rights issues. Security Court’s mandate will be limited to treason, espionage, terrorism, drugs, and • A standing Human Rights committee currency counterfeit crimes. was formed, comprised of members from a number of ministries and institutions • Freedom of the press includes all forms and responsible for promoting human rights outlets of mass media as well as freedom of and following up on international reports expression. about human rights in Jordan. • Guaranteeing the freedom of scientifc • Human rights departments have been research and intellectual property. established in several ministries, including the foreign afairs, interior, and justice 3. Jordan has ratifed most of the ministries, and a special Human Rights international human rights instruments, department has been established at the and human rights have been incorporated Public Security Directorate to review into its domestic laws. Jordan is taking complaints about violations committed steps to further improve this legislative by the Directorate’s personnel. policy. Jordan was the frst Arab state to ratify the International Criminal Court • Judicial inspections of detention and Statute and among the frst countries to reform centers have increased to ensure ratify the Convention on the Elimination that no person is being detained illegally of all Forms of Discrimination Against and to verify the treatment aforded to Women (CEDAW). Further Jordan ratifed prisoners. the International Covenant on Civil and

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 143 • The International Committee of the Red “Every person who is arrested, imprisoned or Cross, the National Centre for Human his/her freedom is restricted, must be treated in Rights, Human Rights Watch, civil society a way that preserves his/her human dignity. It institutions, members of the Public is forbidden for him/her to be tortured (in any Prosecution Department, and judges way) or harmed physically or mentally, as it is are routinely granted free access to forbidden to detain him/her in places outside detention, reform and rehabilitation of those designated by the laws regulating centers. prisons. Any statement extracted from a person under duress of anything of the above 5. Securing the active and free participation or the threat thereof shall neither bare any of civil society and NGOs, as well as consideration nor reliability”. allowing international human rights organizations to operate in the country. This amendment is designed to meet widespread criticism of the alleged, 6. A number of laws governing political life under Jordanian Law, illegal practices have been adopted after consultations of ill-treatment, mainly by the General with various segments of society through Intelligence Directorate, recently reported a national dialogue committee and the by the European Court of Human Rights Lower House in order to reach the highest (Qatada v. United Jordan). The Court ruled, level of national consensus. however, that an extradition to Jordan would not be in violation of Article 3. 7. Political freedoms and the ability of citizens to participate in political life The periodic reports on torture by the UN have been strengthened by the following Committee paints a gruesome picture of amendments: the status of routine practices of torture in Jordan. Despite the fact that Jordan has • Establishment of the Constitutional been a State party to the United Nations Court; Convention on Torture since 1991, it did not include the prohibition of torture in its The Public Assembly Law that grants the • constitution. In fact, in 2010, the Committee freedom to carry out protests without against torture recommended that: prior approval; “The state party should incorporate the The Political Parties Law that encourages • prohibition of torture into the Constitution and supports the establishment of to show a real and important recognition of national political parties beyond tribal torture as a serious crime and human rights afliations; abuse and to fght impunity”. The establishment of the Independent • With the current version of paragraph Election Commission which guarantees 2 of Article 8 of the Constitution, this the transparency and integrity of recommendation has been implemented. elections; Further legislative amendments of the • Granting international election penal code, as well as more stringent observers unrestricted access. implementation practices, will have to take place in order for Jordan to fully comply with In addition, paragraph 2 of article 8 was the recommendations of the Committee. recently added to the constitution and reads as follows:

144 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Opportunities in Relation • An environment that is conducive for more efective communication between to the Judicial Authority’s the Judicial Authority, its institutions, and other relevant government entities Legislative and Institutional whose work is related to that of the Framework judiciary. • A conducive environment for There are many opportunities available communicating, and working, with the for developing the judiciary, enhancing its Jordan Bar Association to advance the performance, and instilling institutional legal profession in Jordan. and legislative independence of the judiciary and of individual judges. The main • The potential for collaboration with the opportunity relates to His Majesty’s vision of media to launch legal education and supporting the Judicial Authority to perform awareness programs, to highlight the according to modern standards. This role of the Judicial Authority and the efort is complementary to other national rule of law, and to emphasize the role of reform eforts, including constitutional the judiciary in building and developing amendments and eforts towards the Jordanian society. sustainable development. Establishing the independence of the judiciary also makes • The possibility to beneft from advanced the implementation of the rule of law more Arab and international experiences in likely to be successful. the development of court operations.

There are numerous challenges facing the • Availability of donor agencies. Judicial Authority as a result of technological 2. Reform Issues developments and other modern changes that require new legislation. This requires • Enhancing and building the capacity, judicial specialization and judges that are knowledge, and skills of judges. capable of resolving complex cases brought before them. • Developing the monitoring and accountability system of the Judicial 1. The following are the opportunities Inspection Unit according to objective facing the judiciary in relation to and efective criteria. the legislative and institutional frameworks: • Improving the quality of court judgments. • The Constitutional amendments that emphasize the independence of the • Reducing litigation time. Judicial Authority. • Guaranteeing rapid handling of cases to • His Majesty’s vision of establishing the achieve justice in an efective and timely independence of the resources and manner. operations of the Judicial Authority. • Reducing the caseload of courts and • The amendments of relevant legislation improving their performance. that support the independence of the Developing the Administrative Judiciary Judicial Authority. • System. • Increased awareness of the importance of the justice sector and its main functions and services.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 145 judicial training institutes, approximately State Involvement 25 percent of the courses ofered each year are new. As continuing legal education One of the most important components of has been adopted for all judges (except judicial reform in Jordan over the last decade in higher courts) it should be organized has been to improve the qualifcations of and conducted in a structured way, both judges. Jordan is currently home to more in didactic and administrative terms; for than 900 judges and 113 courts, and each instance, by institutionalizing the best judge is handling an average of over 735 training events and all their learning cases. objectives, activities, experts, and materials. Training can help to ensure that the justice They should be made available to courts sector reforms are implemented in practice; across the country as a means of improving accordingly, both the Judicial Institute of the efectiveness of judicial education at the Jordan and the Ministry of Justice consider local level. training an essential element of an efcient The efectiveness of training can be justice system that ensures the competency measured by a combination of: of those in charge of enforcing the law. Training is also an important component as • Tests conducted before and after the the demand for judicial services is increasing school year; and begins to relate to new complex issues (e.g. public-private partnerships). • Participant satisfaction and self-evaluation In comparison to judges in Common law interviews; countries, judges in Jordan are considered public servants with service responsibilities. • Interviews with trainers and relevant Therefore, requests to continue to attend ofcials (e.g. supervising judges and training events are seen as positive signs of mentors, etc.); judges fulflling their public service duties. • Independent expert appraisal and peer Other justice professionals are also feeling reviews; the need for training in an evolving justice sector. Barriers to training are mainly related • Assessment of court data, decisions, and to time, funding, and a lack of experience of records; traditional trainers, rather than a resistance of trainees to new approaches. • Focus groups and surveys (e.g. of court users). The Ministry of Justice trained approximately 8,000 of its personnel on general topics such The increased demand of judicial services, as language skills for new employees, report coupled with the Judiciary’s independence, drafting, technical writing, word processing, requires that any new Judicial Institute of International Computer Driving License Jordan- Ministry of Justice training programs (ICDL), communication skills, dealing teach skills in: with the public, and how to handle work 1. Judicial reasoning and opinion writing; stress. Further training is related to topics specifc to the work of the courts, such as 2. Relationship building with lawyers; fees determination and training on using the Arabic-language case management 3. Court management skills, personnel system (MIZAN). Furthermore, Ministry of management, planning and Justice staf conducted training on strategic management of objectives, and program planning, business analysis, enhancing and performance budgeting (PPB); government services, and team-building skills and teamwork. Ministry of Justice staf 4. Behavior and performance in the also attended training courses on human courtroom and improved judicial bench rights, gender equality, and immigration skills; policies and legislations. 5. Scientifc evidence and expert Considering the current reforms in Jordan, testimony; the review of training topics needs to be 6. Essential skills for Appellate judges; more comprehensive than usual. In EU’s

146 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 7. The use of new technologies, computer automation, statistics, and records Access to Justice management; Ofcial documents have revealed that it is 8. Court security; a difcult process to obtain free legal aid in Jordan. Although the Bar Association Law of 9. Media and public relations; 1972 granted free legal aid, it is not being implemented in practice. Furthermore, both 10. The law-making process and the the justice system and the Shari’a courts functions of the legal and justice sector have had limited technical and operational actors; capacities for a long period of time. As a 11. Legal aid and the wider social context of result, the performance of courts and their litigation; ability to ensure fair trials is challenged all over the country.52 A report by MoPIC on the 12. Personal issues related to judges access to justice found the following: themselves (change management). • Institutional capacity building is highly Evidently, judicial training should provide needed to meet the increasing demand judges with updates on any changes for justice services in Jordan. to the law. But the challenges are more comprehensive; judges today will face • Lack of information, poor legal awareness, increasing media scrutiny of judicial scarcity of resources, and difculties decisions and the introduction of “quality traveling to courts are impeding citizens’ control” measures. As a consequence, access to justice in Jordan. curricula must be wide-ranging, innovative, • Vulnerable communities are not well and ofer specialization possibilities. aware of available legal aid services. • The Government of Jordan has developed The Stability of Law a justice reform strategy to improve the Stability is not mutually exclusive with access to justice. changeability; archaic laws beneft few In addition, a recent project document and harm most. However, a society cannot by UNDP53 revealed that although the function properly if laws change too often Government has been committed to and citizens constantly are in doubt of improving the access to justice, there are still whether their actions are in accordance challenges because of the steady increase in with the law. Further, foreign investors the volume of judicial cases. This has been are less likely to invest in Jordan since exacerbated by the increasing number of Jordanian investment laws and regulations Syrian refugees. Furthermore, UNDP’s project are constantly amended. It is for this reason document stated that certain vulnerable that foreign investors request stabilization groups, including women and children, are clauses when entering into agreements facing the most difculties accessing free with the Government of Jordan and/or State legal aid. Pro bono legal representation does controlled entities. not have a clear enforcement mechanism A consistent legal system is one that, while under the Bar Association in Jordan. The not being too fxed, does not stray too far Association needs sustained support on the from the parameters set by its constitution. issue of pro bono legal aid services and its The Jordanian constitution has been members need capacity building to be able subject to many changes, and some have to participate in legal aid initiatives. The occurred too rapidly when considering their provision of judicial services is negatively comprehensiveness. afected by the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for legal aid and legal aid awareness. Finally, according to the project document, more assessments and surveys need to be made in order to identify and address current challenges.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 147 Conclusion

This chapter reviewed Jordan’s judicial system and its relationship with the state. The independence and transparency of the judicial system were examined, bearing in mind that judicial independence does not mean complete separation from the other two branches, but rather a balance between all three. Dispute settlement mechanisms, the institutional frameworks of judicial authorities, judicial councils, and diferent levels of courts in Jordan operate under the same policies and procedures all over the country. Regarding human rights, Jordan’s reform process has focused on establishing mechanisms to protect these rights. The chapter also described the main measures that Jordan has taken to protect civil and political rights. Jordan has also implemented important reforms of the judicial system. The chapter concluded that stability is not mutually exclusive with changeability and that archaic laws beneft few and harm most. At the same time, however, it is counterproductive to amend laws too often. Finally, the chapter has shown that there are challenges when it comes to access to justice and legal aid. There is a genuine need for a complete assessment of both frameworks in order to deal with the lack of a comprehensive legal framework that regulates the provision of legal aid. The Syrian refugee crisis has exacerbated the limitations to access to justice and legal aid in Jordan.

148 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 149 CHAPTER EIGHT GOOD GOVERNANCE, DECENTRALIZATION, AND PARTICIPATION

150 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Introduction

Issues related to good governance, decentralization, political participation, and anti-corruption are controversial in the Arab region today. As mentioned in several sections of this report, the movements that have developed in most of the Arab countries since the end of 2010 – what has been labeled the “Arab Spring” – brought these issues to the top of the political, social, and economic agendas of leaders in the region. Jordan is not an exception. However, Jordan was a peculiar case as its leadership responded rapidly by amending 42 articles of the constitution, which allowed for further transparency and accountability. The Government introduced a new elections law and took important measures to change the judiciary system. As far as governance is concerned, the following box outlines UNDP’s defnition of “governance” which mainly focuses on the system of values, policies, and institutions by which citizens participate in managing their political, economic, and social wellbeing. In this chapter, Jordan’s score on good governance indicators will be reviewed. In addition, a randomized feld survey was conducted to receive feedback Voice and Accountability indicator (Figure from citizens on issues related to good 8-1), Jordan’s percentile rank declined from governance, participation, decentralization, 45.7 in 1996 to 25.1 in 2013. In 2000, during rule of law, and anticorruption. the early era of the King Abdullah II reign, Jordan’s percentile rank was 46.2, but this improvement did not last long, declining to Good Governance in Jordan: 25 in 2002, when the government dissolved the parliament for almost two years. The The International Context rank improved again in 2004 after the parliament was reestablished but stayed The following Figures (8-1 to 8-6) depict volatile till 2013 due to a lack of confdence the Worldwide Governance Indicators in the election process. (WGI) for Jordan over the period of 1996- 2013. The indicators include six aggregate governance indicators covering: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Jordan is considered one of Efectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption. The line the most politically stable graphs in each of the fgures represent the countries in the region and country’s percentile rank. The percentile indicators on violence show rank indicates the percentage of countries worldwide that rank lower than Jordan. The that there is little social and dashed lines represent margins of error; 90% political violence. confdence intervals. A higher percentile rank indicates better governance scores. On the

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 151 Figure (8-1): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Voice & Accountability

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 45.7 46.2

Percentile Rank Percentile 30 38.9 20 32.7 31.3 27.4 29.3 25.0 28.8 27.9 27.5 27.5 26.3 27.0 25.1 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

The Political Stability and Absence of period. Nevertheless, Jordan is considered Violence indicator (Figure 8-2) experienced one of the most politically stable countries a similar trend; Jordan’s score declined in the region and ofcial fgures indicate from 41.8 in 1996 to 25.6 in 2013. However, that neither social nor political violence is a the score was highly volatile during this widespread phenomenon in Jordan.

Figure (8-2): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Political Stability and Absence of Violence

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 41.8 42.8 40.4 39.4 42.3 Percentile Rank Percentile 30 37.0 31.1 32.2 34.4 29.7 23.1 33.7 29.9 25.6 20 27.4 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

152 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 With respect to the Government reinforced by the indicators presented in Efectiveness indicator, fgure (8-3) shows a fgures (8-4), Regulatory Quality, and (8- relatively stable high score over the period. 5) Rule of Law. Government efciency is This could be attributed to the fact that most also supported in fgure (8-6): control of stakeholders in the economy believe that corruption. the government is efcient. This is further

Figure (8-3): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Government Efectiveness

100 90 80 70 60 63.4 63.4 61.5 62.6 61.7 63.2 59.5 58.5 61.0 57.6 50 59.3 59.3 56.1 58.8 49.8 40

Percentile Rank Percentile 30 20 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

The graph on regulatory quality shows that In regards to rule of law, the graph in Jordan has improved, albeit slightly, during fgure (8-5) below shows that Jordan ranks the period of 1996-2013. Figure (8-4) below relatively high. Its rank has stayed the same, demonstrates the relatively high quality of and even slightly improved, during the regulations in Jordan. period of 1996-2013.

Figure (8-4): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Regulatory Quality

100 90 80 70 60 64.7 65.7 61.7 60.7 61.2 50 60.8 56.4 62.3 59.7 53.9 60.3 57.8 57.4 56.9 40 56.0

Percentile Rank Percentile 30 20 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 153 Figure (8-5): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Rule of Law

100 90 80 70 60 61.7 62.7 57.9 62.7 61.7 61.2 62.2 62.7 63.9 61.6 61.1 62.0 62.6 62.6 50 59.8 40

Percentile Rank Percentile 30 20 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

Finally, the indicator on corruption control suspected of misconduct during their time presents a steady, but slow, improvement in in ofce. These eforts have been improved, the country’s eforts to control corruption. leading fnally to the establishment of the However, it is worth mentioning that Anti-Corruption Commission in 2004. Its according to the 2004 UNDP report on mandate was amended in 2012 to entrust Transparency and Accountability in the the commission with greater authority Government Sector in the Arab World, in controlling corruption and enhancing Jordan’s eforts towards accountability and accountability and transparency in both corruption control started as early as 1952 the public and private sectors. It is worth with the endorsement of the, then new, mentioning that Jordan improved its rank on constitution. Article 55 of the constitution the index of anticorruption (it climbed four held all ministers accountable before the ranks) between 2013 and 2014, according parliament and established a higher council the most recent report by Transparency with the power to interrogate all ministers International.

Figure (8-6): Jordan, 1996-2013 Aggregate Indicator: Control of Corruption

100 90 80 70 60 60.0 60.5 69.4 64.6 61.0 50 66.8 64.9 66.3 68.4 53.2 54.6 65.9 61.1 60.8 60.8 40

Percentile Rank Percentile 30 20 10

0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: World Bank 2015

154 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 basis of four areas: Good Governance and Good Governance, Anti-corruption, Decentralization, Rule of Decentralization, Law and Judiciary System, and Participation. The results are presented below. Transparency, and a. Good Governance and Anti- Participation corruption Given the scarcity of frst-hand information about people’s perception of good Table (8-1) below summarizes the responses governance, decentralization, transparency, on the issue of good governance and anti- rule of law, and political participation in corruption in Jordan. Over 38 percent of the Jordan, this study opted to conduct a respondents have a clear understanding of survey of random sampling of around 500 the concept of good governance; 26 percent individuals from diferent governorates in do not consider themselves to have a clear the north, middle, and south. The tables (A understanding of the concept; and 35.4 8-1 to A 8-6) in the annex to this chapter percent were neutral. Over 38 percent of describe the method of sampling in detail. respondents think that good governance The response rate was around 85 percent, is applied on a large scale in the private of which 46.5 percent were males and 53.5 sector, but only 36 percent believe that percent were females. Almost 48 percent this is the case in the public sector. As far of the sample was taken from the southern as regional disparity is concerned, 46.9 governorates, mainly Ma’an, and 42 percent percent of respondents believe that good from the center, mainly Amman. Many of governance is implemented unequally in the demonstrations on social, political, the diferent governorates in Jordan. As for and economic issues during the so called anti-corruption eforts, almost 47 percent “Arab Spring” took place in these two of the respondents think that there are governorates. Over 31 percent of the sample good measures in place to fght corruption, were unemployed young Jordanians, 28.3 compared to 36 percent who disagree percent public sector employees, and 22.9 with this statement. Overall, respondents percent private sector employees. The displayed a fairly high degree of confdence results of the survey were analyzed on the in good governance and anti-corruption eforts in Jordan.

Table (8-1): Results on Good Governance and Anti-corruption

Strongly Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree # Items Total Total Percentage Number Number Number Number Number Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage

1 A clear understanding of the 36 8.4% 127 29.8% 152 35.4% 87 20.3% 26 6.1% 100% concepts of good governance in Jordan Good governance concepts 2 applied on a large scale in the 21 4.9% 142 33.3% 146 34.0% 104 24.2% 15 3.5% 100% Jordanian private sector Good governance concepts 3 applied on a large scale in the 21 4.9% 109 25.4% 144 33.6% 131 30.5% 24 5.6% 100% Jordanian public sector Variation in applying good governance, especially in the 4 area of transparency and 62 14.5% 139 32.4% 114 26.6% 91 21.2% 23 5.4% 100% accountability, among governorates There is a great efort in 5 74 17.3% 126 29.4% 74 17.2% 83 19.3% 71 16.6% 100% fghting corruption in Jordan

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 155 b. Decentralization allows the public sector to provide services to citizens in their hometowns. However, Table (8-2) below shows the results of over 51 percent of respondents agrees that the survey on decentralization. Almost there should be a new decentralization law 44 percent of respondents agrees that in order to strengthen the role of the local decentralization of government services administration in development.

Table (8-2): Results on Decentralization

Strongly Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Items Agree Disagree Total # Percentage Number Number Number Number Number Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Decentralization allows the 60 14.0% 128 29.8% 108 25.2% 94 22.1% 38 8.9% 100% 1 public sector to provide services to citizens in their home towns (the branches of public institutions serve as the central department)

2 There is a need for a new law for 42 9.8% 179 42.0% 136 31.7% 48 11.2% 23 5.4% 100% decentralization

c. Rule of Law and Judiciary System

Table (8-3) below shows that over half of all respondents, 56.4 percent, believes that the Judiciary System in Jordan is independent Over half of the sample, and 48 percent believes that the judicial 56.4 percent, believes that system and the courts provide high quality the Judiciary System in services. However, over 72 percent of respondents complained about the time Jordan is independent. Over that it takes for the judiciary system to 48 percent thinks that the handle cases. Further, over 38 percent of services provided by the respondents believes that rule of law is applied equally everywhere; approximately Judiciary System are of high the same number of people disagree. In quality. conclusion, people seem divided on the issue of rule of law, and since over 23 percent of participants answered “neutral” on the question of regional disparities, the results are not conclusive.

156 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (8-3): Results on Rule of Law and Results on Rule of Law and the Judiciary System Strongly Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree # Items Total Total Percentage Number Number Number Number Number Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage

1 The judicial system is an independent 172 16.8% 170 39.6% 182 19.1% 81 18.9% 24 5.6% 100% authority without any negative infuence from any other authorities 2 The judicial system and the courts provide 66 15.4% 140 32.9% 116 27.0% 88 20.5% 18 4.2% 100% high quality services 3 The judicial system and the courts provide 135 31.5% 176 41.0% 70 16.3% 37 8.6% 10 2.3% 100% high quality services There is no disparity in the rule of law 4 among governorates 50 11.7% 115 27.0% 102 23.8% 115 26.8% 46 10.7% 100% d. Participation participation, over 42 percent disagrees that citizens participate in economic and In the areas related to political, economic, social issues. Finally, over 40 percent of and social participation, table (8-4) shows participants thinks that municipalities are that over 41 percent of participants disagrees doing little when it comes to social and with the statement that citizens are engaged economic development. This reinforces in political life. However, over 35 percent previous responses on the need for further thinks that citizens are highly engaged in decentralization. . political life. In terms of economic and social

Table (8-4): Results on Participation

Strongly Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Items Agree Disagree Total # Percentage Number Number Number Number Number Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage

1 Citizens are a widely engaged 40 9.3% 114 26.6% 97 22.6% 135 31.7% 42 9.8% 100% in the political life in Jordan There is a wide participation in 2 39 9.1% 113 26.3% 96 22.4% 138 32.4% 42 9.8% 100% economic and social issues in Jordan

Local councils and municipalities, are 3 active in economic and social 27 6.3% 115 26.8% 112 26.1% 134 31.5% 40 9.3% 100% development issues

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 157 158 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

CONCLUSION AND POLICY

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 159 CHAPTER NINE CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

160 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 The status of Jordanian women in society Conclusions has improved, particularly in regard to access to education and health, and thanks Jordan consists of twelve governorates. to improvements in legislations to protect The capital city of Amman and three other women’s rights within the home and at the governorates – Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba – workplace. Moreover, Jordan has frameworks score the highest on human development in place for developing and implementing indicators. Other governorates, particularly gender policies. On to the 2014 Global those in the south, rank lower on the human Gender Index, Jordan scored 0.597 and development index. This report shows ranked 134 out of 142 countries. On to the that local regional disparities should be of economic participation and opportunity signifcant importance to policy makers in index, Jordan ranks 140 which is on the their development eforts; regional equality lower end of the index. The female labor needs to be taken into account. However, force participation rate is too low in Jordan the Syrian refugee crisis poses a serious and Jordan ranked 139 out of 142 countries. challenge to any eforts the country is Further, the estimated earned income (PPP undertaking to bridge the regional gaps. US$) for females is lower than for males and, Despite these challenges however, Jordan as a result, Jordan’s rank was 137. ranked number 77 on the HDI with a score Across governorates, the proportion of of 0.745, which puts Jordan in the high households that lives below the average of human development category, among the the QLI distribution varied depending on 19 Arab countries who are given an HDI the economic situation and the diferent score in the global Human Development methods used to measure standards of Report. Also, Jordan is one of the top 10 living. Ajloun (39.9 percent), Mafraq (37.8 countries in this category, ranking number percent), and Tafla (35.0 percent) had the 9. Jordan’s HDI value was higher than both highest proportion of households living the average of 0.735 for countries in the high below the average, while Amman had the human development group and the average lowest proportion of households (18.9 of 0.682 for Arab countries. However, percent). Jordan’s HDI value was lower than for some other Arab countries in the same human The government’s interventions have development group, such as Libya, Oman, contributed signifcantly to mitigate regional and Lebanon who had HDI values of 0.784, disparities in Jordan. The government 0.783, and 0.765 respectively. prepared 12 programs for the development of governorates for the period of 2013-2016. Jordan’s HDI value has increased by 27 These Development Programs will help percent from 1980-2013, from a score alleviate the disparities between regions of 0.587 to a score of 0.745. Jordan’s life by creating job opportunities, building expectancy at birth increased by 7.7 years, capacities, increasing accessibility to from 66.2 years to 73.9 years, refecting an microfnance, and improving infrastructure. improvement in the quality of healthcare. The expected years of schooling increased In the feld of education, Jordan experienced by 1.4 years between 1980 and 2013, while a noticeable discrepancy in the proportion the mean years of schooling increased by of schools located in urban and rural areas. 6.8 years, refecting improved access to 64 percent of schools are located in urban education. areas and only 36 percent are located in rural areas. On the governorates’ level, Amman Jordan’s annual poverty line was estimated has the highest proportion of schools (32 at 813.7 JD per individual with a poverty rate percent), followed by Irbid (18 percent), of 14.4 percent. On the governorate level, and Zarqa (11 percent). These governorates Amman and Karak had the lowest poverty are also the most populated. The lowest rates with 11.4 percent and 13.4 percent proportion of schools are in Tafla and Aqaba respectively. Ma’an and Ajloun had the (2 percent each). The lack of class units is a highest poverty rates of 26.6 percent and big problem and causes overcrowding in 25.6 percent respectively. classrooms. Out of a total of 68,755 class

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 161 units in Jordan, Tafla and Aqaba have the number of hospital beds; neither Ajloun lowest proportion with 1.9 percent and 2.3 nor Tafleh provide hospital beds in private percent respectively followed by Ajloun (2.6 hospitals. percent), Ma’an (2.8 percent), and Madaba (2.9 percent). • The current Syrian refugee crisis has further increased the burden on the health Looking at average number of students per sector. Host communities, especially teacher, the results indicate that Zarqa has the northern governorates, are facing the highest number of students per teacher, signifcant health challenges due to the 19.92, followed by Amman and Balqaa large number of Syrian refugees living in with 16.94 and 16.28 students respectively, their communities. These challenges are while Ma’an has 10.13 students per teacher not only linked to the number of patients, and Tafla 11.01 students per teacher. The but also to the risk of new epidemics and average number of students per class unit diseases. on the governorate level also shows that Zarqa, Amman, and Balqa have the highest • The highest infant mortality rates are in number of students per teacher (29.8, 26.4, the southern region of the country. The and 24.8 respectively) compared with the nation-wide infant mortality rate is within lowest numbers in Ma’an, Mafraq, and Karak international standards and Jordan’s MDG (17.8, 18.8, and 20.3 respectively). indicator on infant mortality has been reached. Providing incentives to the private sector to establish public-private partnerships • Households that rank below the average could be a tool to bridge the regional distribution tend to smoke daily. In disparities between governorates. The Madaba, 66.8 percent of the population Jordan Education Initiative (JEI) is an smokes, in Irbid, 63.8 percent smokes, initiative that involves both international and in Ajlun 63.7 percent smokes. The and domestic actors, in which the public governorates with the lowest smoking and the private sector have partnered and rates are Tafleh (55.9 percent), Jerash (57.7 managed to improve education in Jordan percent), and Mafraq (60.1 percent). through the efective use of information Based on the distance to health center and communication technologies (ICTs). At • criteria, 0.9 percent, 1.8 percent, and 3.2 the same time, the initiative also built local percent of households in Madaba, Tafleh, ICT capacities within diferent industries and and Aqaba respectively, fall below the created a model of educational reform for average QLI value. In Jerash, Amman, other countries. and Mafraq, 25 percent, 31.1 percent, and In regards to health and the healthcare 12.4 percent respectively, fall below the system, this report found the following: average QLI value. • Disparities between governorates are • Based on the disability criteria, 34.7 characterized by the unequal distribution percent, 28.4 percent, and 27.1 percent of of private and public sector health individuals in Amman, Jerash, and Aqaba, services. The majority of private sector respectively, fall below the average QLI medical services are located in Amman. value. The lowest percentages were in Tafleh, Ma’an, and Karak with rates of 15.8 • Some governorates have a signifcantly percent, 19.5 percent, and 21.5 percent lower bed-patient ratio. respectively. 54 • Disparities in the quality of health services When it comes to youth and female between the diferent entities within employment, this report found that there the health sector, as well as between are large disparities between governorates geographical areas, are prevalent, mainly in terms of business opportunities, as the in Ma’an, Jerash, Ma’an, Ajloun, and Tafleh. private sector is unevenly distributed across These governorates also have the lowest the country. Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, and

162 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Aqaba are home to the majority of private in terms of women’s participation. In Tafleh companies. There are almost no private and Karak, around 22 percent of women are companies in Tafleh and Ma’an. This is economically active. The governorate with not only a challenge for youth and female the lowest female participation rate is Zarqa, employment, but it is also an impediment where only 8 percent of women participate to overall economic growth and sustainable in the labor force. In Jerash and Aqaba, development. The report also found that approximately 12 percent of women are remote governorates have the highest working or seeking employment. However, rates of unemployment, especially among when it comes to education, Jordanian youth and women. Lack of work ethics and women are well educated and have equal relevant job skills are some of the reasons for access to education services. In addition, the high rates of unemployed youth. Other indicators on women’s health, especially the governorates, however, such as Amman, MDGs, have refected large regional-wide Zarqa, Irbid, and Aqaba, sufer from a lack improvements in the past decade. of proper capacity building programs, both in regards to work ethics and to job skills. The chapter on Jordan’s justice system and Finally, there is not enough fnancing for state involvement closely examined the micro and small enterprises. This is a problem independence and transparency of the in all governorates, mainly in those further judicial system. The report underscores away from Amman. A regional and sub- that judicial independence does not mean regional data base on youth employment, separation from the other branches but including data on gender, is not available, rather a balance between them. In this which makes it difcult to identify the regard, it is fair to conclude that the judicial best tools to increase the participation of system in Jordan does not sufer from women and youth in the labor market. In regional disparities. Dispute settlements, the some governorates, including Amman, judicial authority’s institutional framework, Zarqa, Irbid, and Aqaba, youth and women the judicial council, and the diferent levels mainly engage in the informal economy. The of courts in Jordan follow the same policies informal economy usually sufers from poor and procedures all over the country. In terms employment conditions and is not covered of human rights, Jordan’s reform process has by social security or health care insurance. focused on continuous protection of human rights and the establishment of specifc There is a balanced gender distribution requirements for protecting those rights. among young people in Jordan. Youth, in the The report highlighted the main measures age bracket of 15-24, represent almost one the country has taken to protect civil and ffth of the total population. Dimensions such political rights. In addition, reforms in the as gender, education, geographical location, judicial system have been implemented. economic activities, political and social Finally, the chapter underscored that stability participation, and poverty, were analyzed is not mutually exclusive with changeability in the report. Regional disparities exist in and that archaic laws beneft few and harm all these dimensions among youth. Since most. youth are the cornerstone of development, policy makers should pay special attention The last chapter of this report examined to this age group, in particular since Jordan Jordan’s performance in good governance, is approaching its “demographic window of decentralization, political participation, and opportunity”. A clear and comprehensive anti-corruption based on the Worldwide vision of sustainable human development, Governance Indicators (WGI) and a random as well as sufcient planning, is required in sample of 500 individuals from all over order to utilize Jordan’s human resources in Jordan. Jordan ranked relatively high on the most optimal way. the Voice and Accountability indicator. The country is also considered to be one of the In regards to women’s issues, this report most politically stable in the region. As for confrmed that women’s participation the indicator on Government Efectiveness, continues to be a major development Jordan ranks relatively high. On the Quality obstacle in Jordan and the main impediment of Regulatory Process indicator, Jordan has to women’s empowerment. There are improved its ranking during 1996-2013. signifcant diferences between governorates Finally, in the area of Rule of Law, Jordan has

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 163 a relatively good rank. The survey conducted Education by the research team of this report found that participants think positively about • In order to make the education sector Jordan’s anti-corruption eforts. In addition, a driver for economic growth and jobs over 56 percent of participants consider creation, Jordan needs to improve the the judiciary system in Jordan to be quality of its institutions. The Government independent. However, in regards to rule of should demand higher standards law, the results were inconclusive and vary of excellence and encourage new from one area to another. This indicates investments, potentially through public- some level of regional disparity when it private partnerships. There should be a comes to rule of law implementation. Finally, special focus on the regional dimensions in the area of political, economic, and social to ensure that education is provided participation, participants mostly disagree equally across regions and by gender. with the statement that citizens are engaged in Jordan’s political life. Also, over 42 percent • A comprehensive review of primary of participants believe that citizens are not and secondary schools, particularly participating in policy making. Similarly, those located in rural areas, should be over 40 percent of participants think that conducted to identify disparities in municipalities are doing little when it comes available resources. An action plan should to social and economic development. These then be developed to bridge the current results suggest that a more comprehensive gap between schools and regions. decentralization process is needed if the government wants to increase public • Develop the basic reading and writing participation in Jordan’s political, economic, skills of pre-school students, especially in and social life. urban and poorer areas. • Strengthen orientation programs that Recommendations encourage students to enroll in vocational training institutions, especially in marginal The following recommendations and policy areas. proposals are deduced from the fndings of the research team, from the workshops, Healthcare and from the expert interviews. The recommendations and policy proposals are • It is necessary to expand the provision divided into the various topics of this report. of private health care services in governorates by either giving incentives to investors or by establishing public- Human Development Index private partnerships.

• In order to more accurately calculate • The government should develop and the Human Development Index (HDI) of launch media campaigns that inform the governorates, data needs to be collected public, targeting remote areas in particular, on the level of governorates rather than of the dangers of smoking, obesity, and on the national level. non-communicable diseases. • The data used in calculating the HDI should • Provide vaccinations to populations in be integrated with ofcial published data, host communities to avoid the spread of so that a calculation of the HDI based on new diseases. ofcial data results in the same value, score, and rank. • Increase the access to transportation services in governorates with the lowest • Instead of using the 2009 Multidimensional number of health centers, ensure that Poverty Index (MPI) to calculate the 2014 these centers hire more doctors, and make HDI, the MPI should be updated to refect sure that all health centers, nation-wide, the latest available information. Using old have access to equipment, medications, data will not give an accurate description and other requirements. of the current situation and will afect Jordan’s HDI rank.

164 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 • Pass the medical accountability law to Youth ensure the provision of better services and care to patients. • Jordan should increase its investments in human capital, particularly in youth, • It is necessary to produce both a and enable them to engage in the labor nationwide accreditation manual, to market, through both public and private be monitored by related entities, and a institutions. procedure manual for public sector health service providers. • Policy makers must focus on Jordan’s education system as education is the most important driver of sustainable Employment and livelihood development. Education empowers people, improve their cognitive skills, • The government should strengthen strengthen their capacities, skills and the incentives for investors in order to knowledge, and provide them with increase the private sector’s presence necessary experience. in governorates other than Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, and Aqaba. This could also • The government should seek funds from strengthen youth and female employment various diferent sources to ensure the in the more remote governorates. fnancial security and sustainability of youth oriented, and youth-led, projects, • It is necessary to improve business ethics with specifc focus on gender equality. and support skills-building in the various governorates to increase the sustainability • Young people should be partners in all of jobs. This can be achieved through eforts that seek to make education more education as well as with the help of sustainable. They should be equipped donors that operate projects in the with the competencies and skills to targeted regions. improve their own lives, the educational institutions, and their communities. • A more detailed analysis, and data collection on youth employment, is • The government should strengthen and needed due to the current scarcity of support the role of the Higher Youth information on youth employment; this Council in the development of youth should be a project spearheaded by the policies and consider it a public authority Ministry of Labor. on policies and activities that relate to youth. • The government should adopt a policy that seeks to turn informal economic • The education system should adopt activities into formal jobs in order to international standards and allow for improve employment conditions and external monitoring at the regional and allow for better work environments. global level; educational and training institutions need to respond to the • Increased fnancing of medium and requirements of the job markets at the small enterprises in the governorates is local, regional, and international levels. necessary. This should be accompanied by training programs for youth and women to teach them how to run sustainable businesses.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 165 Women and women’s The Judicial System empowerment • Improve the capacity of judges and build • Support small female-run businesses, their knowledge and skills. with special attention paid to rural areas • Jordan should develop a monitoring and and governorates (other than Amman, accountability system for the Judicial Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba) in order to make Inspection Unit according to objective and it easier for women to work in the formal efective criteria. sector from home. • There is a need to improve the quality of • The government should consider court judgments. providing tax exemptions or other incentives for companies that provide • It is important to reduce the litigation women with transportation to and from time. work and that have nurseries available at the workplace. • Reduce the caseload of courts and improve their performance. • Improve the quality of health centers by increasing the numbers of doctors • It is necessary to develop the specializing in pre- and postnatal care. Administrative Judiciary System. • Make vocational training programs more attractive to females.

166 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

ANNEXES

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 167 Annex (1) Chapter Nine Tabels

Table (A 8-1) Distribution of the sample by governorate

Governorate Number Percentage (%)

Amman 168 39.3 Zarqa 13 3.0 Irbid 3 .7 Ma’an 200 46.7 Karak 4 .9 Balqaa 10 2.3 Mafraq 22 5.1 Tafela 3 .7 Madaba 5 1.2 Total 428 100

Table (A 8-2) Distribution of the sample by gender

Sex Number Percentage (%)

Male 199 46.5 Female 229 53.5 Total 428 100

Table (A 8-3) Distribution of the sample by Age group

Age Group Number Percentage (%)

18 – 28 212 49.5 29 – 38 90 21.0 39 – 48 72 16.8 49+ 54 12.6 Total 428 100.0

168 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Table (A 8-4) Distribution of the sample by Educational Level

Governorate Number Percentage (%) Table (A 8-1) Distribution of the sample by governorate Illiterate 5 1.2

Governorate Number Percentage (%) Primary 1 .2 Middle school 7 1.6 Amman 168 39.3 Secondary 33 7.7 Zarqa 13 3.0 Intermediate Diploma 66 15.4 Irbid 3 .7 B.A. / BSc 265 61.9 Ma’an 200 46.7 Higher than B.A / BSc 51 11.9 Karak 4 .9 Total 428 100 Balqaa 10 2.3 Mafraq 22 5.1 Tafela 3 .7 Madaba 5 1.2 Table (A 8-5) Distribution of the sample by Marital Status Total 428 100 Marital Status Number Percentage (%)

Never Married 240 56.1 Married 179 41.8 Table (A 8-2) Distribution of the sample by gender Divorced 7 1.6 2 .5 Sex Number Percentage (%) Widower Total 428 100 Male 199 46.5 Female 229 53.5 Total 428 100

Table (A 8-6) Distribution of the sample by Employment Status

Table (A 8-3) Distribution of the sample by Age group Current Employment Number Percentage (%) Status Age Group Number Percentage (%) Public Sector 121 28.3 Private Sector 98 22.9 18 – 28 212 49.5 Self Employed 19 4.4 29 – 38 90 21.0 Unemployed 133 31.1 39 – 48 72 16.8 Others 57 13.3 49+ 54 12.6 Total 428 100 Total 428 100.0

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 169 Annex (2) Survey Questionnaire

ﺑﺴﻢ ا( اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﻴﻢ

21 1 2

654321 3 87 4321 4

4321 5 6 7 21 ﺷﺮﻛﺔ اﻟﺘﺠﻤﻊ اﻻﺳﺘﺸﺎري ﻟﻠﺘﻄﻮﻳﺮ اﻟﻤﺎﻟﻲ وا3داري (إﺳﻨﺎد) اﺳﺘﺒﺎﻧﺔ ﻗﻴﺎس

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 2014 6 7 8 2015 9 10 2015

21 101

170 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 21 1 2

654321 3 87 4321 4

4321 5 6 21 7

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 171 172 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

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6

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JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 175 Chapter One: Human Development takes the bottom three quintiles households as the reference group while the previous approach takes Trends in Jordan the bottom two quintiles households (ranked by per capita expenditures) as the reference group for 1. The report includes the value and the rank for deriving the poverty line. 19 Arab countries (States) or territories: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, 9. The new methodology was developed by the World Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, State of Palestine, Oman, Bank in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. and the Jordanian Department of Statistics.

2. Libya’s HDI declined from 0.784 in 2013 to 0.724 in 10. Independent Election Commission 2010. 2014, and its ranking fell from 55th to 94th (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014, 2015). 11. World Economic Forum 2014.

3. Group 1 comprises countries with high equality 12. The value of the Gender Gap Index ranges from 0.00 in HDI achievements between women and men for complete inequality to 1.00 for perfect equality. (absolute deviation of less than 2.5 percent); group 2 comprises countries with medium to high 13. The Gini Coefcient ranges from 0 (perfect equality) equality in HDI achievements between women to 1 (perfect inequality or a situation where one and men (absolute deviation of 2.5–5 percent); person gets all the income). group 3 comprises countries with medium equality in HDI achievements between women and men (absolute deviation of 5–7.5 percent); group 4 14. For more information, see Wazani 2014. comprises countries with medium to low equality in HDI achievements between women and men 15. The number of ofcially registered refugees (absolute deviation of 7.5–10 percent); and group increased to around 600,000 by the end of February 5 comprises countries with low equality in HDI 2014, which is in addition to unregistered Syrians, achievements between women and men (absolute who number 750,000 according to statistics from deviation from gender parity of more than 10 the Public Security Directorate. percent) (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2015: 223. 16. For more information, see Wazani 2014. 4. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2014: 41. Chapter Two: Education 5. A household, and all of its members, is classifed as multi-dimensionally poor (or MPI-poor) if it sufers 17. For more information, see United Nations overlapping deprivation in at least one-third of the Development Programme (UNDP) 2014b. weighted indicators. A household is considered severely multidimensionally poor if the deprivation score is ½ or more; near-MPI poor if the deprivation 18. For more information, see United Nations is 1/5 or more but less than 1/3; and deprived Development Programme (UNDP) 2014b. but not near-MPI poor if the deprivation score is positive but less than 1/5 (Kovacevic and Calderon 2014. [Full ref: Kovacevic and M. Cecilia Calderon. 2014. “UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index: Chapter Three : Health 2014 Specifcations.” Human Development Report Ofce, Occasional Paper]). 19. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2012b 6. According to the UN statement of June 1998, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a 20. Information from UNDP MDG Status Report 2013 violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate efectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and clothe, not 21. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite having a school or clinic to go to, not having the Kingdom of Jordan 2012b land on which to grow one’s food or a job to earn one’s living, not having access to credit. It also 22. The IC was cancelled as part of the Government means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of Restructuring Program. However, its functions individuals, households and communities. It means were moved under a specialized directorate in the as well the susceptibility to violence, and it often Ministry of Industry and Trade. implies living on marginal or fragile environment, without access to clean water or sanitation. Note: need to cite the source for this. Eg: United Nations 23. Source: Ministry of Health - The Hashemite year: page. Then include full citation in the list of Kingdom of Jordan 2013 references at the end of the report. (“Statement of Commitment for Action to Eradicate Poverty”, 24. Dr. Hani Al-Kurdi, Secretary-General of the Higher adopted by the Administrative Committee on Health Council, presented the main fndings of Coordination, 1998 the strategy during the Amman workshop for this report. 7. Squared Poverty Gap Index (SPGI or P2) is the self weighted (squared) average of poverty gaps taken 25. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite as proportions of the value of poverty line of both Kingdom of Jordan 2010b. poor and non-poor assuming zero poverty gaps for the non-poor. The measure lacks intuitive appeal, 26. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite and because it is not easy to interpret it is not used Kingdom of Jordan 2015. very widely. 27. Source: Ministry of Planning and International 8. The poverty rate for 2006 and 2010 was Cooperation - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan recalculated based on the new approach used in 2014. 2010 for deriving the poverty line. This approach

176 JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 28. Information from Department of Statistics data sets Chapter Six: Women and Disparities on health indicators 2013. 49. Information from European Training Foundation 29. Information from Department of Statistics data sets 2012 - SEMED Regional Report. on health indicators 2013. 50. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite 30. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b. Kingdom of Jordan 2010b. 51. World Economic Forum 2013. 31. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b.

32. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Chapter Seven: The Justice System and Kingdom of Jordan 2010b. State Capacity

52. Source: Ministry of Planning and International Chapter Four: Employment and Cooperation - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2015b. Livelihood 53. Source: United Nations Development Programme 33. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite (UNDP) Jordan 2015. Kingdom of Jordan 2013b.

34. Source: Ministry of Labor – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013. Chapter Nine: Conclusions and Policy recommendations 35. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b. 54. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010b. 36. Source: Social Security Corporation 2013.

37. Source: World Economic Forum 2014.

38. Source: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013a.

39. Information from Department of Statistics data sets 2013.

40. Source: Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation 2014.

41. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2011.

42. Source: Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation 2014.

43. Source: Kushnir et al 2010.

44. Source: Department of Statistics – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2011.

45. Source: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation – The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2013b.

Chapter Five: Youth

46. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), youth is within the age of 15-24 years.

47. The fgure does not include residents of other nationalities or Syrian refugees.

48. Source: Department of Statistics - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2010c.

JORDAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015 177 Empowered lives. Resilient nations.