Jordan will partially address its water stress

Significance

High population growth and low rainfall have contributed to Jordan being classified as an 'absolute water-scarcity' country, a term applied to countries with less than 500 cubic metres of water available per capita annually.

Impacts

• An unstable Jordan in proximity to key OPEC economies and Israel would affect wider regional security concerns.
• The Gulf States could see growing migration flows from Jordan due to any socio-economic instability caused by water scarcity.
• Agricultural exporters will be most affected by increased competition for scarce water resources.
• The tourism sector, which accounts for around 20% of GDP, would also be hit by water shortages.