Amman: The Jordan Economic Forum has released a fact sheet titled “Global Risk Outlook: Changing Trends and Local Impacts,” analyzing economic challenges facing Jordan based on the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025.
According to Jordan News Agency, in a statement issued Tuesday, the forum underscored unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities as the most pressing concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the Economic Modernization Vision. This strategy focuses on stimulating growth and attracting labor-intensive investments to create sustainable job opportunities and support economic and social stability.
The forum acknowledged the government’s recent economic measures as significant steps toward enhancing stability and stimulating growth. However, it cautioned that these efforts may not be sufficient to fully address the risks outlined in the Global Risks Report 2025, particularly the persistent challenge of unemployment.
Addressing these risks, the forum stressed the necessity of a clear investment strategy centered on labor-intensive industries, calling for a reassessment of investment priorities to attract projects capable of absorbing large numbers of workers. This, it argued, would help reduce unemployment rates and drive economic development.
Despite a decline in Jordan’s public debt risk rating, the forum noted that economic challenges remain and urged intensified efforts to advance structural reforms, improve the business environment, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship as key pillars for strengthening the national economy.
Water supply shortages were also highlighted as a major challenge, requiring accelerated investment in water security and environmental sustainability projects to maintain sectoral stability and long-term development.
Furthermore, the forum pointed to the geopolitical shifts in the region and their effects on supply chains and energy markets. It advocated for a proactive economic resilience strategy that includes diversifying energy sources, strengthening regional integration, and investing in digital infrastructure to sustain vital sectors and enhance Jordan’s global competitiveness.
The forum emphasized the importance of strategic planning and public-private sector cooperation to transform economic challenges into growth opportunities. It called for substantial investment in human capital through advanced training programs, strengthened technical and vocational education, and regulatory reforms that encourage long-term investments, particularly in the productive and manufacturing sectors outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision. These industries play a critical role in generating employment and ensuring economic and social equity.
Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within these key sectors, the forum added, would increase productivity and contribute to inclusive economic development.
The Global Risks Report 2025, based on a survey of over 900 experts from academia, business, government, international organizations, and civil society, examines evolving global risks over the short and long term. It defines global risks as uncertain events or conditions that could have significant negative impacts on countries or industries over the next decade.
For Jordan, the report identifies unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities as the most pressing risks for 2025-2026, followed by inflation, economic recession, water shortages, and public debt. These findings reflect the persistent economic challenges Jordan has faced for more than a decade, with structural economic issues remaining the primary obstacles to stability.
The forum noted that economic risks particularly public debt, unemployment, inflation, and recession have consistently topped the list of challenges for Jordan since 2022. However, in the 2025 report, public debt risks have fallen to fifth place, down from second in 2024. While this shift may suggest improved debt management or evolving global risk priorities, the forum cautioned that significant challenges remain.
In its analysis, the forum stressed the interconnected nature of economic, environmental, and geopolitical risks, calling for coordinated national and regional strategies to address them. It reiterated the need to enhance economic adaptability and invest in productive and sustainable sectors to ensure balanced growth, ultimately strengthening Jordan’s ability to withstand future challenges.