Policy Briefs
The Impact of the Syrian Refugee Influx on the Jordanian Labour Market
No.
32
Date
May, 2018
Topic
J. Labor and Demographic Economics
In a nutshell
- The slowdown in economic growth in Jordan predates the Syrian refugee influx.
- Between 2010 and 2016, labour force inactivity increased, employment decreased, and unemployment increased in the Jordanian labour market.
- Between 2010 and 2016, an increasing share of Jordanians worked in public sector employment and formal private wage employment.
- Less educated Jordanian male workers experienced a sharp increase in irregular (seasonal and casual) wage employment.
- Less than a fifth of Syrian refugees were working in 2016 despite the availability of work permits. Those who worked were primarily in informal employment and working without permits.
- Jordanians’ labour market outcomes have not been adversely affected in areas where there has been high concentration of Syrian refugees.
- Non-Jordanian workers have experienced worse labour market outcomes in localities where there was high concentration of Syrian refugees.
Research Fellows
Jackline Wahba
Professor of Economics, University of Southampton, UK...