Unemployment in Jordan rises to 18.2%

Unemployment rates in Jordan have increased to 18.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared to 15.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Jordan’s Department of Statistics said in a statement yesterday that the unemployment rate among males was 13.9 per cent, compared to 33 per cent among females in the first quarter of this year.

Unemployment among university degree holders was 21.4 per cent.

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Jordan has struggled to cope with the large influx of Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have taken refugees in the country. The number of Syrian refugees in Jordan has increased to more than 1.3 million.

Last year, Jordan announced its commitment to provide employment to nearly 200,000 Syrians in various economic sectors.

The Kingdom linked this with the financial and economic aid approved by the London conference to assist host countries last year.