Photo: Teogomez Teo Gomez · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Jordan: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Jordan is placed 144th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 33.43 (2025); Labour Income Share 45.9 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
144th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Jordan on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
33.43
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Jordan: 33.43. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Western Asia
- 86.9 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 35.1 · Israel 63.2 · Saudi Arabia 63.12 · Syria 31.89
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
16.54
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Jordan: 16.54. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.13 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 15.48 · Israel 3.489 · Saudi Arabia 3.038 · Syria 13.57
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
7.857
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Jordan: 7.857. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.456 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 27.14 · Israel 7.701 · Saudi Arabia 1.662 · Syria 38.86
02Over time
Which way Jordan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
JordanWorld median
Jordan fell from 34 in 2000 to 33.43 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Jordan World median 2025 33.430 57.720 2024 33.328 57.694 2023 33.455 58.158 2022 31.538 57.688 2021 30.999 56.066 2020 32.272 55.691 2019 32.649 57.871 2018 32.024 56.911 2017 32.937 56.738 2016 32.987 56.845 2015 32.735 56.788 2014 32.068 56.774 2013 32.425 56.229 2012 33.364 56.289 2011 33.969 56.297 2010 34.563 56.212 2009 34.927 56.255 2008 34.483 57.308 2007 34.586 56.933 2006 32.422 56.685 2005 32.632 56.129 2004 32.313 55.465 2003 31.977 55.630 2002 32.525 55.843 2001 33.096 56.018 2000 34.002 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
JordanWorld median
Jordan rose from 43.75 in 2004 to 45.9 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Jordan World median 2025 45.90 46.230 2024 45.98 46.060 2023 45.85 45.900 2022 45.61 45.615 2021 45.31 45.433 2020 45.96 47.267 2019 44.79 46.277 2018 44.18 46.187 2017 45.28 46.467 2016 43.96 46.798 2015 42.96 46.876 2014 42.22 47.281 2013 42.67 46.887 2012 43.13 46.231 2011 42.74 45.679 2010 42.08 46.024 2009 44.48 47.071 2008 42.24 45.312 2007 44.09 45.246 2006 42.92 45.670 2005 43.32 46.265 2004 43.75 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
JordanWorld median
Jordan rose from 13.7 in 2000 to 16.54 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Jordan World median 2025 16.54 5.08 2024 16.69 5.15 2023 16.62 5.21 2022 18.20 5.34 2021 19.84 6.04 2020 19.21 6.38 2019 16.80 5.36 2018 18.26 5.35 2017 18.12 5.59 2016 15.28 5.90 2015 13.08 6.41 2014 11.90 6.58 2013 12.60 6.71 2012 12.20 6.79 2011 12.90 6.90 2010 12.50 7.04 2009 12.90 6.67 2008 12.70 5.79 2007 13.10 6.00 2006 14.00 6.50 2005 14.80 7.09 2004 14.63 6.80 2003 14.50 6.95 2002 15.30 6.91 2001 14.70 6.96 2000 13.70 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
JordanWorld median
Jordan fell from 13.44 in 2000 to 7.857 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Jordan World median 2025 7.86 28.67 2024 8.01 29.04 2023 8.18 29.33 2022 8.38 29.67 2021 8.47 30.01 2020 8.42 30.54 2019 9.28 29.98 2018 9.14 30.15 2017 9.64 29.93 2016 9.86 29.91 2015 9.78 30.26 2014 9.70 30.47 2013 9.75 31.14 2012 9.87 31.00 2011 10.04 31.41 2010 10.24 32.37 2009 10.50 32.59 2008 10.82 31.76 2007 11.18 33.47 2006 11.56 34.27 2005 12.00 34.66 2004 12.44 35.51 2003 12.72 35.90 2002 12.98 35.96 2001 13.23 35.27 2000 13.44 35.67
03In context
Jordan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Jordan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Israel | 15th | 63.2 | 49.44 | 3.489 | 7.701 |
 Saudi Arabia | 45th | 63.12 | 30.23 | 3.038 | 1.662 |
| Jordan | 144th | 33.43 | 45.9 | 16.54 | 7.857 |
 Iraq | 168th | 35.1 | 41.38 | 15.48 | 27.14 |
 Syria | 179th | 31.89 | 34.24 | 13.57 | 38.86 |
 Palestine | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Jordan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Jordan is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Jordan does better than the middle country measured.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.220.337▲ Improved since 2017
Jordan: 0.22 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 74th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74233,1236,742No real change since 2015
Jordan: 33,123 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 25th of 151 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.1694.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Jordan: 0.169 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0742.1932.07No earlier reading
Jordan: 42.19 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 05.50No earlier reading
Jordan: 5.5 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.690.575No earlier reading
Jordan: 0.69 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.948.345.9No earlier reading
Jordan: 48.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Jordan does worse than the middle country measured.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38446,25747,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Jordan: 46,257 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 86th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1616.6622.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Jordan: 16.66 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 105th of 182 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7654.236.76No earlier reading
Jordan: 54.2 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 39th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8150.2441.81No earlier reading
Jordan: 50.24 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 67th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23013,34125,230No real change since 2010
Jordan: 13,341 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 99th of 151 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,0941,636▼ Worsened since 2016
Jordan: 1,094 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 75 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.613.481.61No real change since 2015
Jordan: 3.48 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5620.1612.56▼ Worsened since 2017
Jordan: 20.16 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 14th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 987098▼ Worsened since 2015
Jordan: 70 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3129.3914.31▲ Improved since 2017
Jordan: 29.39 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 12th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6640.0561.66▲ Improved since 2015
Jordan: 40.05 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 174th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8338.8812.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Jordan: 38.88 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 8th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3616.0353.36▲ Improved since 2015
Jordan: 16.03 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 176th of 182 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.161.75919.16No earlier reading
Jordan: 1.759 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 176th of 179 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8940.8417.89▼ Worsened since 2017
Jordan: 40.84 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 333▲ Improved since 2015
Jordan: 3 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8948.538.89Moved since 2015
Jordan: 48.5 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 5th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5180.7659.51Moved since 2015
Jordan: 80.76 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 18th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4548.2313.45Moved since 2017
Jordan: 48.23 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0123.1915.01No earlier reading
Jordan: 23.19 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 36th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95809.46657.95No real change since 2014
Jordan: 809.46 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8816.1318.88Moved since 2015
Jordan: 16.13 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 130th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.383.11614.38Moved since 2015
Jordan: 3.116 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 142nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8411.2131.84Moved since 2015
Jordan: 11.21 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 161st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Jordan
Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2006), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2023) and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Jordan’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Jordan’s 14th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 59th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing70th of 2003/4 keys
- Digital & Technology75th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade74th of 1772/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience93rd of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 110th of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge113th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation104th of 1764/4 keys
- Energy100th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties134th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security122nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 129th of 1843/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability136th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labour144th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality161st of 1834/4 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Jordan can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Western Asia
Qatar=8th4/4 keysThis page
Jordan144th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Jordan and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Jordan on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Jordan rank on work & labour?
Jordan is placed 144th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Jordan?
33.43 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Jordan?
45.9 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Jordan compare with Iraq on work & labour?
Iraq is placed 168th of 182, and Jordan 144th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Iraq 35.1, Jordan 33.43; Labour Income Share: Iraq 41.38, Jordan 45.9; Unemployment Rate: Iraq 15.48, Jordan 16.54; Vulnerable Employment: Iraq 27.14, Jordan 7.857.
How have Jordan’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 34 in 2000 to 33.43 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 43.75 in 2004 to 45.9 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 13.7 in 2000 to 16.54 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 13.44 in 2000 to 7.857 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Jordan?
No current reading is published for Jordan on Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management and Trade Union Density. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Jordan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Jordan (banner) — Teogomez Teo Gomez, CC0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Jordan: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/jordan/work