People & economy

Jordan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Jordan: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
9,956,011
#90 of 197 countries
Area
89,342 km²
#115 of 248 countries
Density
111.4 / km²
#100 of 245 countries

Jordan has a population of 9,956,011 spread across 89,342 km², giving it an average density of 111.4 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
25.4
Life Expectancy
76.5 yrs
Literacy Rate
94.8%
Government
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Jordan is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 43% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$4,466
Cost of Living
43% of US
Inflation
2.1%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$9,500
Unemployment
18.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 16.7% of Jordan's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy, so expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism Revenue
$1,745,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
16.7%
Outbound Tourists
406,000
Air Passengers
3,731,345
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Jordan there are 2.85 doctors per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.85/1k
Hospital Beds
1.41/1k
Health Spend
$342/person
Infant Mortality
12.2/1k
Immunization
99%
Safe Drinking Water
99.3%
Basic Sanitation
96.4%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Jordan, 93% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 68 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
92.5%
Mobile Subs
68/100
Broadband
7.0/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data