Jordan

Jordan

Jordan is a small country with limited natural resources. Exports of phosphates and potash to its neighbors, and since 2000 of light manufactured products, namely textiles and garments to the US, have been driving economic growth. The government has emphasized the information technology and tourism sectors as other promising growth sectors. One of the most important factors in the government’s efforts to improve the well-being of its citizens is the macroeconomic stability that has been achieved since the 1990s.

 

The low tax and low regulation in Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is considered a model of a government-provided framework for private sector-led economic growth.

 

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States that went into effect in December 2001 will phase out duties on nearly all goods and services by 2010. The agreement also provides for more open markets in communications, construction, finance, health, transportation, and services, as well as strict application of international standards for the protection of intellectual property. Jordan has also been a member of the World Trade Organization since 2000.

 

Total GDP: $31.61 billion (2008 est.)

 

GDP Growth Rate: 5.6% (2008 est.)

 

GDP Per Capita: $5,100 (2008 est.)

 

Population: 6,342,948 (July 2009 est.)

 

Population Growth Rate: 2.264% (2009 est.)

 

Fertility Rate: 2.39 children born/woman (2009 est.)

 

Age Structure:

0-14 years: 31.3% (male 1,014,183/female 973,538)

15-64 years: 64.5% (male 2,183,638/female 1,904,420)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 128,759/female 138,410)

(2009 est.)

 

Source: CIA World Factbook