The Economy of Jordan
Syrian Refugees and the Jordan Compact
Jordan hosts more than a million refugees from Syria, and a 2016 compact linked international support to work permits for Syrians.
A heavy burden and an opportunity.
Numbers
Over 1.3 million Syrians live in Jordan, around 650,000 registered as refugees.
Strain
Pressure on schools, hospitals, housing and water.
Compact
In 2016, donors offered funds and trade access in return for work permits for Syrians.
Results
Permits increased but many refugees still work informally.
A permit
A Syrian worker gets a permit to work legally in construction.
Assuming aid fully offsets the cost to hosts
Costs are large.
Key takeaways
- Jordan hosts over a million Syrians.
- Services are strained.
- A compact linked aid and work permits.
- Informal work persists.
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