Amman: The number of females in Jordan reached 5.521 million by the end of 2024, representing 47.1% of the total population, compared to 52.9% for men. The highest proportion of females falls within the 15-64 age group at 60.7%, followed by others under 15 at 35.4% and those aged 65 and above at 3.9%. Women in Jordan also have a life expectancy higher than men by 3.2 years.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Department of Statistics (DoS) highlighted a significant drop in illiteracy rates among Jordanian women aged 15 and above, from 16.5 percent in 2000 to 6.8 percent in 2024, while the rate of educated women rose to 93.2 percent. Educational indicators show steady progress, with net female enrollment in basic education increasing from 90 percent in 2000 to 94.8 percent in 2023, and in secondary education from 77 percent to 83.1 percent. Women account for 76.4 percent of primary school principals and 61.5 percent of secondary school principals. In higher education, females make up 54.7 percent of undergraduate students, 58.5 percent of master’s students, and 56 percent of doctoral students.
The labor force survey revealed that female economic participation grew to 14.9 percent in 2024 from 14 percent in 2023. The majority of working women (95.4 percent) are paid employees, with 48.6 percent employed in the private sector. Women are predominantly concentrated in professional, technical, and specialist roles, which increased from 73 percent to 75.9 percent in one year. Women’s economic empowerment has also improved, with female land ownership rising from 15.8 percent in 2015 to 19.2 percent in 2023, and joint land ownership increasing from 32.9 percent to 37.5 percent. Apartment ownership by women grew from 23 percent to 25.9 percent, with joint ownership increasing from 16 percent to 20.4 percent.
The 2023 Population and Family Health Survey found that 82.8 percent of married women aged 15-49 participate in financial decision-making with their husbands, while 13.8 percent make independent financial decisions. Noting expansion of women’s political participation, female representation in the Lower House of Parliament rose from 6.4 percent in 2008 to 19.6 percent in 2024, with nine women winning seats through party lists and 18 through the gender quota system. The proportion of female judges increased from 6.2 percent to 29.5 percent, while women accounted for 24.1 percent of ministerial positions and 25.6 percent of diplomatic staff, with 15.4 percent serving as ambassadors.