Jordan’s stalled economy risks rising social tensions

Significance

The economy faces chronic problems of low growth, joblessness and declining living standards, resulting in periodic protests. Its heavy dependence on foreign aid, especially from long-standing ally Washington, drives donor-approved reform programmes such as the 2022 Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV).

Impacts

• Amman will seek to repatriate as many Syrian refugees as possible to preserve scant financial resources.
• The gap between rhetorical promises of economic development and everyday privation will mobilise new forms of grassroots opposition.
• The state will bring in more foreign aid by warning of cross-border instability risks in its strategically vital location.