Jordan: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Jordan 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Jordan: 125
  • Happiness Score Jordan:4.186

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Jordan. JO.

    Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government.

  • The country is known for its ancient archaeological sites, including the city of Petra.
  • Jordan is a major producer of phosphate and potash, contributing to its economy.
  • The Dead Sea, located in Jordan, is the lowest point on Earth’s surface.

    Jordan – A Comprehensive Overview

    Jordan has a rich history stretching back thousands of years, with evidence of human settlements dating as far back as the Paleolithic period. The country’s strategic location at the crossroads of the ancient trade routes connecting Egypt, Syria, and the Arabian Peninsula has made it a hub for various civilizations and empires.

    Early History:

    The earliest known inhabitants of Jordan were the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people who established a prosperous kingdom centered in the city of Petra, famous for its elaborate rock-cut architecture. The Nabataean Kingdom flourished from the 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE, controlling major trade routes and engaging in commerce with neighboring civilizations.

    Kingdoms and Empires:

    Over the centuries, Jordan fell under the control of several empires, including the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic caliphates. During the 7th century CE, the region was conquered by Muslim Arab armies and became part of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Later, Jordan was ruled by various Islamic dynasties, such as the Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks.

    Colonial Period:

    In the late 19th century, Jordan came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Jordan became part of the British Mandate of Palestine.

    Independence and Modern Era:

    Jordan gained independence in 1946 under the leadership of King Abdullah I. The country faced several challenges, including the influx of Palestinian refugees following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War. In the late 20th century, Jordan underwent significant economic and political reforms, transitioning from a monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.

    Current Political Situation:

    Jordan is a constitutional monarchy headed by King Abdullah II. The country has a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Recent elections were held in 2020, with the ruling coalition led by the Islamic Action Front party.

    International Relations:

    Jordan maintains close ties with the United States and other Western nations, as well as its Arab neighbors. The country has played a key role in regional diplomacy and has been involved in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jordan has also been a significant ally in the fight against terrorism.

    Human Development and Economy:

    Jordan has a diverse economy with significant contributions from services, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. The country has made strides in improving human development indicators, including education and healthcare. However, challenges remain, such as high unemployment rates and a reliance on foreign aid.

    Cultural Highlights:

    Jordan is a predominantly Arab and Muslim country, with a rich cultural heritage influenced by various civilizations. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the dominant religion. Notable cultural attractions include the ancient city of Petra, the Dead Sea, and the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum.

    Pressing Challenges and Opportunities: Jordan faces challenges related to water scarcity, energy dependence, and the integration of refugees. However, the country also has opportunities for growth in sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, and information technology.

Main facts

Location

Jordan is a country located in the Middle East, situated in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and the Palestinian territories to the west. Jordan is situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and the Arabian Desert, with the majority of its territory being a plateau dissected by valleys and canyons.

Map References

Jordan is located in the Middle East region of Western Asia.

Area – Comparative

Jordan has an area of approximately 89,342 square kilometers (34,495 square miles), making it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Indiana.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Jordan has a total land boundary length of 1,635 kilometers (1,016 miles), shared with the following countries:

  • Iraq – 181 km (112 miles)
  • Israel – 238 km (148 miles)
  • Saudi Arabia – 744 km (462 miles)
  • Syria – 379 km (235 miles)
  • West Bank – 93 km (58 miles)

Coastline (if applicable)

Jordan has a coastline of 26 kilometers (16 miles) along the Gulf of Aqaba, an inlet of the Red Sea.

Maritime Claims

Jordan claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 3 nautical miles
  • Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles

Climate

Jordan has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. However, there are regional variations, with the desert areas in the east being hotter and drier, while the highlands in the west experience colder temperatures and more precipitation.

Terrain

Jordan’s terrain is mostly comprised of a plateau dissected by valleys and canyons, including the Great Rift Valley. The western part of the country is dominated by the highlands of the Jordan Rift Valley, while the eastern part is characterized by a desert plateau known as the Badia region.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Jordan is Jabal Umm al Dami, at 1,854 meters (6,083 feet) above sea level, located in the southwest of the country. The lowest point is the Dead Sea, at approximately 420 meters (1,378 feet) below sea level.

Natural Resources

Jordan’s major natural resources include:

  • Phosphates
  • Potash
  • Shale oil
  • Uranium
  • Natural gas

Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Jordan include:

  • The Dead Sea (shared with Israel and the Palestinian territories)
  • The Gulf of Aqaba (an inlet of the Red Sea)
  • The Jordan River (shared with Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian territories)
  • The Yarmouk River (shared with Syria)
  • The Zarqa River

Natural Hazards

The main natural hazards affecting Jordan include:

  • Droughts
  • Periodic earthquakes
  • Sandstorms and dust storms

Geography – Notes

Jordan is a semi-arid country with limited water resources, and the majority of its population is concentrated in the northwestern part of the country. The country’s location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and the Arabian Desert has played a significant role in its history and culture.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 1.10%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 25,108. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 12.00%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  30.58516436.238414.
  • Capital: The capital of Jordan is  Amman
  • Major Cities:
  • Population: 10,101,694
  • Area(Km2): 89342
  • Population Density( P/Km²):115. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:962
  • Official Language(s):Arabic (100%)
  • Currency: JOD

Main Economic Indicators

Jordan’s economy is relatively small, open, and service-oriented, with limited natural resources and a small industrial base. The country faces significant economic challenges, including high unemployment, a large budget deficit, and a heavy dependence on foreign aid and remittances from expatriate workers. Key economic policies have focused on promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and attracting foreign investment.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2021: 1.3% (Source: Department of Statistics, Jordan)

2020: 0.4% (Source: Department of Statistics, Jordan)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: BB- (Stable)
Moody’s: B1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: BB- (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 4.2%
Industry: 27.5%
Services: 68.3%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, citrus fruits, poultry, livestock, vegetables, fruits

Industrial Products: Clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, tourism

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 2.47 million (2021 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 116th globally

Current Account Balance

Current Account Balance:

2021: -$2.14 billion (Source: Central Bank of Jordan)
2020: -$0.65 billion (Source: Central Bank of Jordan)
Comparative Ranking: 136th globally

Exports and Imports

Exports: $10.7 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: United States, Saudi Arabia, India, Iraq, UAE
Main Commodities: Textiles, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals

Imports: $22.9 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: China, Saudi Arabia, United States, Germany, United Arab Emirates
Main Commodities: Crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, industrial machinery, textiles, wheat

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $17.8 billion (2021 est.)
Gold Reserves: 25.3 tons (2021 est.)

  • GDP (Current US$):$43,743,661,972. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 15.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 28.60%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $1.10. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $1.49. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 14.72%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Noun: Jordanian(s)
Adjective: Jordanian

2. Ethnic Groups

Arab 98%
Circassian 1%
Armenian 1%

3. Religions

Muslim 97.2% (official; predominantly Sunni)
Christian 2.2% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations)
Buddhist 0.4%
Hindu 0.1%
Other 0.1%

4. Age Structure

0-14 years: 34.5% (male 1,173,864/female 1,120,629)
15-64 years: 61.2% (male 2,054,331/female 2,010,274)
65 years and over: 4.3% (male 130,967/female 155,440) (2020 est.)

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 62.2
Youth dependency ratio: 56.3
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.9
Potential support ratio: 16.9 (2020 est.)

6. Median Age

Total: 23.8 years
Male: 23.4 years
Female: 24.2 years (2020 est.)

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 35.5% (2016)
Alcohol consumption: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2016)
Tobacco use: 38.7% of adults aged 15 and over (2015)
Life expectancy at birth: 74.8 years (2018 est.)

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.4. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 95.4%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:21.98. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:4. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 2.76. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 58.1%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 9,213,048. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):25.10%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Jordanian Armed Forces consist of the following main branches: Army, Air Force, and Special Operations Command. The Army is the largest branch, encompassing armored, artillery, infantry, and air defense units. The Air Force operates fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters. The Special Operations Command includes elite counterterrorism and special forces units.

The Public Security Directorate is the national police force responsible for maintaining internal security and public order.

Military Expenditures

Jordan’s military expenditures as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2018: 4.7%
  • 2019: 4.7%
  • 2020: 4.8%
  • 2021: 4.9%
  • 2022: 5.0%

Jordan consistently ranks among the top 20 countries globally in terms of military spending as a percentage of GDP.

Personnel Strengths

Jordan has approximately 100,000 active-duty military personnel, with the breakdown as follows:

  • Army: 85,000
  • Air Force: 12,000
  • Special Operations Command: 3,000

The Public Security Directorate has an additional 50,000 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Jordan’s military equipment includes:

  • Main battle tanks (e.g., US-made M60A3, Challenger 1)
  • Armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles
  • Towed and self-propelled artillery
  • Multi-role fighter jets (e.g., F-16 Fighting Falcons)
  • Attack helicopters and transport helicopters

Jordan is currently in the process of acquiring additional F-16 fighter jets and Yellowjacket armored vehicles from the United States.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service in Jordan is mandatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35. The standard service period is two years.

Military Deployments

Jordan contributes troops to the following major international operations:

Strategic Military Notes

Jordan’s defense strategy focuses on counterterrorism and maintaining internal security, given its geographic location surrounded by regional conflicts. The military plays a key role in border security and protecting critical infrastructure.

Jordan is a close ally of the United States and a member of several international security partnerships, including the Combined Maritime Forces and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. It collaborates closely with regional partners, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council states, on security matters.

  • Armed Forces Size: 100000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.32
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 39.30%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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