Jordan

Jordan is a UN member state in Western Asia, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, with a short coast on the Gulf of Aqaba. Its capital is Amman. The identifiers below are fixed by international convention. Everything else on this page explains where to verify changing figures and what Jordan’s national statistics can and cannot tell you.

Stable identifiers

These codes come from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and are fixed by international convention:

• UN M49 code: 400
• ISO alpha-2: JO
• ISO alpha-3: JOR
• UN region: Asia
• UN subregion: Western Asia
• UN member state: Yes
• World Bank capital field: Amman

The UN M49 classification is a statistical geography, not a political or territorial statement. It groups territories for data collection and reporting. See the UN M49 overview for the published definitions.

The World Bank API uses the same ISO alpha-3 codes, so JOR is the stable key for pulling World Bank records. Query https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/JOR?format=json to get the country code, region, income level, and the Bank’s capital city field. The API also returns a reference year for each indicator when you pull specific data series.

How to get current figures

Jordan’s population, GDP, and other headline numbers change every year. Any fixed figure printed here would be stale quickly. Use the primary sources directly and note the reference year for each figure you cite.

Population and census data

Jordan’s population is a changing figure. The UN World Population Prospects publishes annual estimates, and the Jordanian Department of Statistics conducts censuses and projections. The most recent census was the 2015 national census; the next census had not been completed as of the 2024 reference year. The UN’s medium-variant projection for 2024 put the total near 11.3 million, but this is an estimate, not a headcount.

Because Jordan hosts a large registered refugee community, government figures and UN estimates can differ substantially depending on whether refugees are included in the denominator. Population figures are contested and politically sensitive, since they involve different definitions of residents, refugees, and migrant workers. Always check which dataset you are citing and its reference year. When sources disagree, state the disagreement and note which source is more appropriate for which purpose. The UN Population Division and the World Bank may differ by a few percent because of different definitions and update cycles.

Economic indicators

Economic data changes quickly. For GDP, GDP per capita, growth, inflation, and income grouping, use the World Bank country API for Jordan:

https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/JOR

The World Bank classifies Jordan as a lower-middle-income economy. That grouping is reviewed each July. The IMF and the national Department of Statistics publish their own estimates; they may differ because they use different definitions and revision schedules.

Language and currency

Arabic is the official language of Jordan. English is widely used in business, education, and tourism, but it has no constitutional status as an official language. Minority languages include Circassian, Armenian, and Chechen. For current language statistics, consult the national statistical office or a linguistic survey.

The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is the national currency. The ISO 4217 code is JOD. The Central Bank of Jordan is the issuer. Exchange rates change daily; do not treat any quoted rate as current. For a live mid-market rate, check the central bank or a reputable financial data service, and note the date you checked.

Government and political structure

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The King is head of state; the Prime Minister is head of government. The political system includes a bicameral National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives. For current leadership, electoral results, and government structure, consult the official website of the Government of Jordan or the Jordanian embassy in your country. These change with elections and appointments; do not rely on a static profile for political facts.

Capital and administrative centre

Amman is the capital of Jordan. The World Bank capital field lists Amman as the administrative capital. The UN M49 overview does not designate capitals; it is a statistical coding system. For political or administrative matters, the government of Jordan is the authoritative source, and the UN member state listing confirms membership status. Amman is also the largest city and the main economic and diplomatic centre.

How to verify changing data

For the most current population, GDP, and development indicators, use the World Bank country API. For population projections, use the UN World Population Prospects. For health data, use WHO. For education and culture, use UNESCO. For political rights and civil liberties, use Freedom House. For corruption perceptions, use Transparency International. For travel advice, use your own foreign ministry or the IATA Travel Centre. For time zones and country codes, use IANA.

Travel and entry requirements

Do not rely on third-party summaries for visa rules. Entry requirements change without notice and depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, and length of stay. Consult your own government’s foreign ministry travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre before planning.

Data caveats

Every statistic in a country comparison should name its source and reference year. When sources disagree, state the disagreement and note which source is more appropriate for which purpose.

Population figures: UN and World Bank figures differ because they use different sources and update schedules. Census data can be two to five years old.

GDP figures: Nominal versus PPP answer different questions; PPP adjusts for local prices.

Life expectancy: A national average can hide large regional or gender gaps.

Literacy: Definitions vary; some countries count any formal schooling as literate.

Inequality: Gini and Palma capture different parts of the distribution.

Debt: Government debt figures often exclude state-owned enterprise debt and off-budget items.

Country comparison

To compare Jordan with other territories, use the World Bank API for economic indicators, the UN M49 for regional grouping, and national statistical offices for census and survey data. Do not mix datasets from different years or methodologies. For a structured comparison framework, see the Country Comparison Guide.

Source literacy

Always check the primary source before repeating a figure. National statistical offices publish census and survey data. The World Bank and UN pull from these but apply harmonisation and estimation. The CIA World Factbook is a useful secondary compilation but not authoritative. For travel advice, consult your foreign ministry.

Numbers in this guide come from the UN, World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, IMF, and national statistical offices. Each figure should be read with its definition, source, and reference year. For example, population data may come from the UN World Population Prospects or the World Bank, and the two can differ slightly because of different definitions and update schedules.