The Arab Spring Five Years Later: Vol 2 by Ghanem Hafez;

Author:Ghanem, Hafez;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

The Working-Age Population and the Workers

The proportion of the very young population in Jordan (under fifteen years old) has been declining since the early 1980s, when it reached almost 50 percent of the population. This demographic remains the bulk of the population but is now closer to one-third, which implies that the greatest labor-oriented challenges are currently related to the large percentage of young adults. People under the age of twenty-five still represent 55 percent of the country, and the working-age population is above 60 percent. At the same time, the number of young people is still growing in absolute terms, and the need for the economy to create opportunities will only increase. Jobs are and will still be needed at a high rate.

Given the continued increase of Jordan’s working-age population, the country’s dependency ratio has been steadily decreasing since the early 1980s.10 Appropriately handled and embraced, this trend could be a good opportunity for Jordan. If well exploited, it can yield demographic dividends (for example, when dependents are few compared with a booming working population). The output produced by such an economy could dramatically increase productivity gains. Ill used, a low dependency ratio can burden a country when opportunities are lacking and people are out of work at an age when work is a necessity and an aspiration. It can lead to tensions or vicious circles of inactivity.

Handling the labor force and the rapid growth of young adults is undoubtedly one of the country’s main challenges. Helping provide jobs and opportunities will remain a core mission for public policies in a country such as Jordan.

FIGURE 7-2. Jordan's Working-Age Population, 2012

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