View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2012 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.jo

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

69,473 (2012) country comparison to the world: 89

Internet users [time series]

1.642 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 78

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership reaching 100 per 100 persons in 2010 international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

465,400 (2011) country comparison to the world: 102

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

7.483 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 93

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, strawberries, stone fruits; sheep, poultry, dairy

Budget [time series]

revenues: $6.372 billion expenditures: $9.953 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-11.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.3% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 4.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 8.67% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$3.359 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 -$2.871 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$8.345 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $7.644 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

39.7 (2007) country comparison to the world: 61 36.4 (1997)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of poverty, unemployment, inflation, and a large budget deficit. Since assuming the throne in 1999, King ABDALLAH has implemented significant economic reforms, such as opening the trade regime, privatizing state-owned companies, and eliminating some fuel subsidies, which in the last decade spurred economic growth by attracting foreign investment and creating some jobs. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil, however, have depressed Jordan's GDP growth, impacting export-oriented sectors, construction, and tourism. In 2011 the government approved two economic relief packages and a budgetary supplement, largely to improve the living conditions for the middle and poor classes. Jordan's finances have also been strained by a series of natural gas pipeline attacks in Egypt, causing Jordan to substitute more expensive heavy fuel oils to generate electricity. An influx of foreign aid, especially from Gulf countries, has helped to somewhat offset these extrabudgetary expenditures, but the budget deficit is likely to remain high, at more than 11% of GDP in 2012 excluding grants. Amman likely will continue to depend heavily on foreign assistance to finance the deficit in 2012. Jordan's financial sector has been relatively isolated from the international financial crisis because of its limited exposure to overseas capital markets. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls.

Exchange rates [time series]

Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2012 est.) 0.709 (2011 est.) 0.71 (2010 est.) 0.709 (2009) 0.709 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$8.218 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $7.963 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners [time series]

US 15.4%, Iraq 15%, India 12.9%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, Lebanon 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$31.35 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$38.67 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $37.54 billion (2011 est.) $36.59 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4.5% industry: 30.9% services: 64.6% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$6,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $6,000 (2011 est.) $6,000 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 2.6% (2011 est.) 2.3% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$17.73 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $16.27 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals

Imports - partners [time series]

Saudi Arabia 22.1%, China 9.8%, US 6.4%, Italy 5.1%, Germany 4.5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 4.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

28.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Labor force [time series]

1.824 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20% services: 77.4% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$27.18 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 58 $30.86 billion (31 December 2010) $31.86 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

14.2% (2002)

Public debt [time series]

59.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 57.5% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover central government debt, and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$10.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $12.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$38.61 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $34.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$24.63 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $22.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$33.27 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $30.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$11.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $10.26 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

20.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Unemployment rate [time series]

12.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 12.3% (2011 est.) note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

19.07 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Crude oil - imports [time series]

70,700 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Crude oil - production [time series]

20 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

1 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Electricity - consumption [time series]

11.64 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - exports [time series]

139 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

99.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity - imports [time series]

383 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.616 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Electricity - production [time series]

13.42 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.74 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - imports [time series]

2.52 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Natural gas - production [time series]

220 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

107,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

18,620 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

79,190 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 89,342 sq km country comparison to the world: 112 land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Indiana

Climate [time series]

mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Coastline [time series]

26 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

31 00 N, 36 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank

Irrigated land [time series]

820 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005)

Location [time series]

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 3 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

droughts; periodic earthquakes

Natural resources [time series]

phosphates, potash, shale oil

Terrain [time series]

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.9 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

Capital [time series]

name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October

Constitution [time series]

1 January 1952; amended many times

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stuart E. JONES embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alia Hatough-BOURAN chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II head of government: Prime Minister Abdullah NSOUR (since 11 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Awad KHULAYFAT (since 11 October 2012) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Cassation (Supreme Court)

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic religious law; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (60 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (120 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms); note - the new electoral law enacted in May 2010 allocated an additional 10 seats (6 seats added to the number reserved for women, bringing the total to 12; 2 additional seats for Amman; and 1 seat each for the cities of Zarqa and Irbid; unchanged are 9 seats reserved for Christian candidates, 9 for Bedouin candidates, and 3 for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 November 2010 (next to be held on 23 Janary 2013); note - the King dissolved the previous Chamber of Deputies in November 2009, midway through the parliamentary term election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents and other 120 (includes 12 seats filled by women's quota and 1 woman was directly elected); note - the IAF boycotted the election

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan) lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

National symbol(s) [time series]

eagle

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Akram al-HIMSI]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Call Party [Muhammed ABU BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ablah ABU ULBAH]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Hamzah MANSOUR]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'URI]; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNAH]; Jordanian National Party [Muna ABU BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Zahier AMR]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmad al-SHUNAQ]; National Current Party [Abd al-Hadi al-MAJALI]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Muhammad al-QAQ]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

15 April Movement [Mohammad SUNEID, chairman]; 1952 Constitution Movement; 24 March Movement [Mu'az al-KHAWALIDAH, Mu'adh al-KHAWALIDAH, Abdel Rahman HASANEIN, spokespersons]; Anti-Normalization Committee [Hamzah MANSOUR, chairman]; Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans or ESARSV [Abdulsalam al-HASSANAT, chairman]; Group of 36; Higher Coordination Committee of Opposition Parties [Said DIAB]; Higher National Committee for Military Retirees or HNCMR [Ali al-HABASHNEH, chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Campaign for Change or Jayin; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; National Front for Reform or NFR [Ahmad OBEIDAT, chairman]; Popular Gathering for Reform; Professional Associations Council [Abd al-Hadi al-FALAHAT, chairman]; Sons of Jordan

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and defeated Palestinian rebels who attempted to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, King HUSSEIN's eldest son, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and implemented some economic and political reforms. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of SADDAM in Iraq and, following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were last held in November 2010 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. Beginning in January 2011 in the wake of unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, as many as several thousand Jordanians staged weekly demonstrations and marches in Amman and other cities throughout Jordan to push for political reforms and protest government corruption, rising prices, rampant poverty, and high unemployment. In response, King ABDALLAH replaced his prime minister and formed two commissions - one to propose specific reforms to Jordan's electoral and political parties laws, and the other to consider limited constitutional amendments. In a televised speech in June 2011, the King announced plans to work toward transferring authority for appointing future prime ministers and cabinet ministers to parliament; in a subsequent announcement, he outlined a revised political parties law intended to encourage greater political participation. Protesters and opposition elements generally acknowledged those measures as steps in the right direction but many continue to push for greater limits on the King's authority and to fight against government corruption. In September 2011, a royal decree approved constitutional amendments passed by the Parliament aimed at strengthening a more independent judiciary and establishing a constitutional court and independent election commission to oversee the next municipal and parliamentary elections, slated for April 2012 and fall 2012, respectively. King ABDALLAH in October 2011 dismissed the Jordanian cabinet and replaced the prime minister in response to widespread public dissatisfaction with government performance and escalating criticism of the premier because of public concerns over his reported involvement in corruption.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,674,260 females age 16-49: 1,611,315 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,439,192 females age 16-49: 1,384,500 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 73,574 female: 69,420 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

8.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 4

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 years of age for voluntary military service; initial service term 2 years, with option to reenlist for 18 years; conscription for males at age 18 was suspended in 1999, but reinstated in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in noncombat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and RJAF (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 34.9% (male 1,168,406/ female 1,102,892) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 1,982,731/ female 1,932,722) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 156,735/ female 165,401) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.52 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Death rate [time series]

2.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 108 male: 16.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.18 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 78.82 years female: 81.61 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 95.8% female: 89.2% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

AMMAN (capital) 1.088 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

63 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 97

Median age [time series]

total: 22.4 years male: 22 years female: 22.7 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-33.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

19.5% (2004) country comparison to the world: 23

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.45 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

6,508,887 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.965% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 228

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim 92% (official), Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.36 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 27% country comparison to the world: 21 male: 22.6% female: 45.9% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 79% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 1,979,580 (Palestinian Refugees) (UNRWA); 29,286 (Iraq) (2011); 204,303 (Syria) (2013)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

18 (2012) country comparison to the world: 138

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 16 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 12 country comparison to the world: 106 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 2 (UAE 2) registered in other countries: 16 (Bahamas 2, Egypt 2, Indonesia 1, Panama 11) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Al 'Aqabah

Railways [time series]

total: 507 km country comparison to the world: 111 narrow gauge: 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 7,891 km country comparison to the world: 142 paved: 7,891 km (2009)