Amman: The Department of Statistics (DoS) has concluded the European Twinning Project, “Strengthening the Capacity of Jordan’s Department of Statistics in Terms of Compilation, Analysis, and Reporting of Statistical Data in Line with International and European Best Practices.” Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Marwan Rifai, highlighted the project’s alignment with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision and Public Sector Modernization Roadmap, emphasizing the importance of accurate data for evidence-based policymaking.
According to Jordan News Agency, Rifai noted the 2024 amendment to the General Statistics Law, which enhances the DoS’s role as the official data authority by improving governance in data collection and ensuring data privacy. This amendment also led to the establishment of the National Interactive Data Center, a strategic initiative for national data management.
Rifai stated that the project has significantly contributed to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and system development through study visits and expert missions. These efforts have prepared the DoS for the 2025 General Population and Housing Census, a major national undertaking.
Rifai reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to its strategic partnership with the European Union, a key development partner. This partnership was further strengthened by a comprehensive strategic agreement signed in Brussels in January 2025, covering cooperation across various domains.
DoS Director General Haidar Fraihat described this as the second twinning project with European statistical agencies. The first project, launched in 2014, focused on sample design and database quality, while the latest project, launched in 2022, expanded to include administrative records and strategies for handling missing data.
Fraihat mentioned that the project enhanced the Department’s ability to deliver high-quality data for policymakers and researchers by aligning with international standards. It complemented other initiatives, including the National Accounts Statistics Compilation System Support Project and technical assistance from international partners.
Thibaut Moyer, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Jordan, stated that the project’s ultimate goal was to enhance DoS’s capacity to produce reliable data despite challenges in a complex regional context.
Project Leader Jesper Jensen outlined the project’s main components, including developing an Integrated Statistical System and piloting initiatives like the Statistical Business Register. Strategies were also developed to address data quality issues, improving the overall reliability of national statistics.
The project, implemented over 34 months with Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Lithuania, and supported by Finland, has strengthened DoS infrastructure and human capacity, promoted the use of administrative records, and supported policymakers with robust data for sustainable decision-making.