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.
The Impact of the Syrian Refugee Influx on the Jordanian Labour Market

Research Fellows

Jackline Wahba

Professor of Economics, University of Southampton, UK...