The World Bank estimates Jordan's economy will achieve a growth rate of up to 3 percent by 2028, according to projections released on June 13, 2026. This forecast from the World Bank suggests a positive outlook for Jordan's economic resilience in the coming years, signaling a period of sustained economic expansion. The international financial institution's assessment provides a key indicator of anticipated economic performance for the Middle Eastern nation, offering a key benchmark for policymakers and investors alike. Such projections from a global body like the World Bank often serve to bolster confidence in a country's economic trajectory, providing a foundation for future planning and investment decisions. The detailed analysis underpinning these figures notes the underlying strengths and potential areas of growth within the Jordanian economy.
Economic Growth Projections Detailed
The World Bank projects a 2.7 percent growth for the Jordanian economy in 2026. This forecast indicates a steady economic performance for the current year, suggesting that the nation's economic activities are maintaining a stable and positive momentum. This figure reflects an assessment of various economic indicators and sector performances expected throughout the year. The international financial institution further anticipates an increase in this growth rate for the subsequent year, pointing towards an accelerating economic pace. For 2027, the World Bank projects the Jordanian economy to grow by 2.9 percent, suggesting a continued upward trend in economic activity and a gradual strengthening of the country's financial landscape. These figures are part of the World Bank's broader assessment of Jordan's economic outlook, which includes a potential growth rate of up to 3 percent by 2028, showing a consistent and improving economic trajectory over the medium term. The detailed projections provide specific benchmarks for Jordan's short-to-medium-term economic trajectory, offering insights into expected performance across key sectors and an overall positive trajectory for the national economy. This sustained growth is key for job creation, improved living standards, and overall national development.
Industrial Sector Drives Growth
Jordan's industrial sector plays a significant role in the nation's economic landscape, contributing directly to approximately 24 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. This direct contribution notes the sector's foundational importance to the national income. When both direct and indirect effects are considered, such as its impact on supply chains, services, and related industries, the sector's contribution to the GDP rises to about 45 percent, noting its broad and widespread impact across the entire economy. This full influence makes the industrial sector a central pillar of Jordan's economic stability and growth. The industrial sector is also a substantial source of employment, providing job opportunities for approximately 271,000 workers throughout Jordan, thereby playing a critical role in livelihood and social stability.
The sector has demonstrated considerable growth in its export capacity over recent years, showcasing its increasing competitiveness in international markets. Industrial exports saw an increase from approximately JD4.3 billion in 2018, reaching nearly JD9 billion by 2025. This remarkable expansion in export value shows the sector's growing international competitiveness and its substantial contribution to Jordan's trade balance, helping to reduce trade deficits and strengthen foreign currency reserves. Among the key commodities contributing to national exports in the first quarter were fertilizers and related chemical products, indicating specific areas of strength and strategic focus within Jordan's industrial output. The growth in these areas reflects strategic development within the sector, aligning with the broader economic resilience forecast by the World Bank and demonstrating the successful diversification of export products. Raw potash recorded the largest increase among industrial exports in the first quarter, rising by approximately JD47 million compared to the same period last year, further solidifying the sector's strong export performance. This significant increase in potash exports notes the global demand for Jordan's industrial products and the sector's capacity to capitalize on market opportunities.
Resilience Amidst Challenges
Jordan's national economy demonstrates resilience and possesses productive sectors capable of shoring up economic activity, even amidst regional uncertainty. This intrinsic strength is a key factor in maintaining stability, allowing the economy to absorb shocks and continue its growth trajectory despite external pressures. Jordanian fertilizer exports have been identified as a significant factor capable of mitigating expected economic pressures this year, providing a key revenue stream that supports the national budget and trade balance. The country's strong export performance in this sector contributes to its economic stability, acting as a buffer against potential economic downturns. Rising global fertilizer prices could partially offset the impact on Jordan by increasing export revenues, providing a buffer against potential economic headwinds and enhancing the profitability of these key industrial exports. These elements collectively support the country's economic outlook despite current challenges, showcasing the strategic importance of its industrial and export-oriented sectors.
Industry Leaders' Perspective
Royal directives support the industrial sector, urging the boosting of food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, localizing production inputs, and deepening industrial value chains. These directives aim to enhance self-sufficiency, create more domestic job opportunities, and improve the overall competitiveness of Jordanian industries. The industrial sector accounts for nearly a third of the growth achieved in Jordan in recent years, showing its key role as a primary engine of economic expansion and development. This substantial contribution to national growth notes the effectiveness of industrial policies and investments. Jordan's industrial sector contributes significantly to the nation's trade balance, accounting for more than 95% of national exports, making it an indispensable component of the country's international trade strategy. This high percentage illustrates the sector's dominance in generating foreign exchange earnings and its importance for maintaining a healthy balance of payments. Within industrial exports, raw potash recorded the largest increase in the first quarter, rising by approximately JD47 million compared to the same period last year, demonstrating the dynamic nature and strong performance of specific sub-sectors within the broader industrial landscape. These figures collectively paint a picture of a dynamic and resilient industrial sector, poised to continue driving Jordan's economic growth and stability.
