Promoting employment through effective labour market policies

Context

Jordan is an emerging economy in the Middle East with a predominantly young population of working age. However, the economy is not growing enough to reduce the high unemployment rate, 22 per cent in 2023, in the long term. Women and young people are affected more than other groups. Highly educated Jordanians in particular often leave the country to find suitable jobs, especially in the Gulf States, which are not available on the domestic labour market.

With its Economic Modernisation Vision, the Jordanian Government has adopted a comprehensive economic reform plan that aims to create one million new jobs by 2033. In addition, the Government wants to improve public administration. This includes structural reforms that also affect the Ministry of Labour. The aim is to involve the private sector more closely in policy-making and measure the impact of labour market measures.

Objective

Jordan’s labour market policies and their implementation have been improved to promote employment in the country.

Approach

The project works with the Jordanian Ministry of Labour and other national partners. It supports them in designing and implementing labour market policies in a more structured way. It also develops instruments, coordination processes and competences in national and regional administrations.

The project focuses on the following activities:

1. It advises the Jordanian Ministry of Labour on designing evidence-based labour market policies.
2. It strengthens public and private sector actors to improve working conditions.
3. It advises public and private sector providers on offering target group-specific services to improve the placement of jobseekers.

Last update: March 2024