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Israel vs. Jordan

Introduction

IsraelJordan
BackgroundIsrael has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world, even with some of its former foes. The State of Israel was declared in 1948, after Britain withdrew from its mandate of Palestine. The UN proposed partitioning the area into Arab and Jewish states, and Arab armies that rejected the UN plan were defeated. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel fought wars against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973, followed by peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed a number of interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020.

The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements - brokered by the US - with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and with Sudan in early 2021.
Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s. The area gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country's long-time ruler, King HUSSEIN (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank; in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, King HUSSEIN's eldest son, assumed the throne following his father's death in 1999. He has implemented modest political reforms, including the passage of a new electoral law in early 2016 and an effort to devolve some authority to governorate- and municipal-level councils following subnational elections in 2017. In 2016, the Islamic Action Front, which is the political arm of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, returned to the National Assembly with 15 seats after boycotting the previous two elections in 2010 and 2013.

Geography

IsraelJordan
LocationMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and LebanonMiddle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq
Geographic coordinates31 30 N, 34 45 E31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map referencesMiddle EastMiddle East
Areatotal: 21,937 sq km

land: 21,497 sq km

water: 440 sq km
total: 89,342 sq km

land: 88,802 sq km

water: 540 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly larger than New Jerseyabout three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundariestotal: 1,068 km

border countries (6): Egypt 208 km, Gaza Strip 59 km, Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea), Lebanon 81 km, Syria 83 km, West Bank 330 km
total: 1,744 km

border countries (5): Iraq 179 km, Israel 307 km, Saudi Arabia 731 km, Syria 379 km, West Bank 148 km
Coastline273 km26 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climatetemperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areasmostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
TerrainNegev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valleymostly arid desert plateau; a great north-south geological rift along the west of the country is the dominant topographical feature and includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands
Elevation extremeshighest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights
highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 812 m
Natural resourcestimber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sandphosphates, potash, shale oil
Land useagricultural land: 23.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 13.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 7.1% (2018 est.)

other: 69.1% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 1.1% (2018 est.)

other: 87.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land2,250 sq km (2012)964 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardssandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakesdroughts; periodic earthquakes; flash floods
Environment - current issueslimited arable land and restricted natural freshwater resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticideslimited natural freshwater resources; declining water table; salinity; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; biodiversity and ecosystem damage/loss
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notenote 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti)

note 2: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock)

note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019)
strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank; the Dead Sea, the lowest point in Asia and the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lac Assal in Djibouti), lies on Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank; Jordan is almost landlocked but does have a 26 km southwestern coastline with a single port, Al 'Aqabah (Aqaba)
Total renewable water resources1.78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)937 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqabapopulation heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba

Demographics

IsraelJordan
Population8,787,045 (includes populations of the Golan Heights or Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) (July 2021 est.)

note: approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019); following the March 2019 US recognition of the Golan Heights as being part of Israel, The World Factbook no longer includes Israeli settler population of the Golan Heights (estimated at 23,400 in 2019) in its overall Israeli settler total
10,909,567 (July 2021 est.)

note: increased estimate reflects revised assumptions about the net migration rate due to the increased flow of Syrian refugees
Age structure0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365)

15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721)

25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399)

55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709)

65 years and over: 11.96% (male 467,980/female 569,816) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 33.05% (male 1,837,696/female 1,738,935)

15-24 years: 19.77% (male 1,126,567/female 1,012,812)

25-54 years: 38.39% (male 2,250,328/female 1,903,996)

55-64 years: 5.11% (male 290,633/female 262,827)

65 years and over: 3.67% (male 194,464/female 202,386) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 30.4 years

male: 29.8 years

female: 31 years (2020 est.)
total: 23.5 years

male: 23.9 years

female: 22.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.45% (2021 est.)0.82% (2021 est.)
Birth rate17.52 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)22.79 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)3.44 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-11.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.18 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.11 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 14.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 83.15 years

male: 81.25 years

female: 85.15 years (2021 est.)
total population: 75.75 years

male: 74.25 years

female: 77.35 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.57 children born/woman (2021 est.)3 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.2% (2018)<.1% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Israeli(s)

adjective: Israeli
noun: Jordanian(s)

adjective: Jordanian
Ethnic groupsJewish 74.1% (of which Israel-born 78.1%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.2%, Africa-born 4.3%, Asia-born 2.4%), Arab 21%, other 4.9% (2019 est.)Jordanian 69.3%, Syrian 13.3%, Palestinian 6.7%, Egyptian 6.7%, Iraqi 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes Armenian, Circassian) (2015 est.)

note: data represent population by self-identified nationality
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS9,000 (2018)<1,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsJewish 74.1%, Muslim 17.9%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.5% (2019 est.)Muslim 97.1% (official; predominantly Sunni), Christian 2.1% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), Buddhist 0.4%, Hindu 0.1%, Jewish <0.1, folk <0.1, unaffiliated <0.1, other <0.1 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<100 (2018)<100 (2020 est.)
LanguagesHebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language)

major-language sample(s):
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Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)

major-language sample(s):
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Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8%

male: 98.7%

female: 96.8% (2011)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.2%

male: 98.6%

female: 97.8% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2018)
total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2012)
Education expenditures6.1% of GDP (2017)3.1% of GDP (2019)
Urbanizationurban population: 92.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.51% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 91.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 97.7% of population

total: 98.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 2.2% of population

total: 1.1% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.6% of population

rural: 96.6% of population

total: 98.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population

rural: 3.7% of population

total: 1.5% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population4.264 million Tel Aviv-Yafo, 1.155 million Haifa, 944,000 JERUSALEM (capital) (2021)2.182 million AMMAN (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Health expenditures7.5% (2018)7.8% (2018)
Physicians density4.63 physicians/1,000 population (2018)2.32 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density3 beds/1,000 population (2017)1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate26.1% (2016)35.5% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth27.7 years (2019 est.)24.6 years (2017/18 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 67.3

youth dependency ratio: 46.6

elderly dependency ratio: 20.8

potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 58.2

youth dependency ratio: 52

elderly dependency ratio: 6.3

potential support ratio: 16 (2020 est.)

Government

IsraelJordan
Country nameconventional long form: State of Israel

conventional short form: Israel

local long form: Medinat Yisra'el

local short form: Yisra'el

etymology: named after the ancient Kingdom of Israel; according to Biblical tradition, the Jewish patriarch Jacob received the name "Israel" ("He who struggles with God") after he wrestled an entire night with an angel of the Lord; Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelites, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who formed the Kingdom of Israel
conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

conventional short form: Jordan

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

local short form: Al Urdun

former: Transjordan

etymology: named for the Jordan River, which makes up part of Jordan's northwest border
Government typeparliamentary democracyparliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capitalname: Jerusalem; note - the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 without taking a position on the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty

geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the last Sunday in October

etymology: Jerusalem's settlement may date back to 2800 B.C.; it is named Urushalim in Egyptian texts of the 14th century B.C.; "uru-shalim" likely means "foundation of [by] the god Shalim", and derives from Hebrew/Semitic "yry", "to found or lay a cornerstone", and Shalim, the Canaanite god of dusk and the nether world; Shalim was associated with sunset and peace and the name is based on the same S-L-M root from which Semitic words for "peace" are derived (Salam or Shalom in modern Arabic and Hebrew); this confluence has thus led to naming interpretations such as "The City of Peace" or "The Abode of Peace"
name: Amman

geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends last Friday in October

etymology: in the 13th century B.C., the Ammonites named their main city "Rabbath Ammon"; "rabbath" designated "capital," so the name meant "The Capital of [the] Ammon[ites]"; over time, the "Rabbath" came to be dropped and the city became known simply as "Ammon" and then "Amman"
Administrative divisions6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); 'Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Al `Asimah (Amman), At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba
Independence14 May 1948 (following League of Nations mandate under British administration)25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
National holidayIndependence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or MayIndependence Day, 25 May (1946)
Constitutionhistory: no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws, and the Law of Return (as amended)

amendments: proposed by Government of Israel ministers or by the Knesset; passage requires a majority vote of Knesset members and subject to Supreme Court judicial review; 11 of the 13 Basic Laws have been amended at least once, latest in 2020 (Basic Law: the Knesset)
history: previous 1928 (preindependence); latest initially adopted 28 November 1947, revised and ratified 1 January 1952

amendments: constitutional amendments require at least a two-thirds majority vote of both the Senate and the House and ratification by the king; no amendment of the constitution affecting the rights of the king and the succession to the throne is permitted during the regency period; amended several times, last in 2016
Legal systemmixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious lawsmixed system developed from codes instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based on French law), British common law, and Islamic law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal; 17 years of age for municipal elections18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Issac HERZOG (since 7 July 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Naftali BENNETT (since 13 June 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Knesset for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2028); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, tasks a Knesset member (usually the member of the largest party) with forming a new government

election results: Issac HERZOG elected president; Knesset vote - Issac HERZOG (independent) 87, Miriam PERETZ (independent) 26, invalid/blank 7
chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HUSSEIN (eldest son of the monarch, born on 28 June 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Bisher AL-KHASAWNEH (since 7 October 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3.25% vote threshold to gain representation; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 23 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent by party - Likud 24.2%, Yesh Atid 13.9%, Shas 7.2%, Blue and White 6.6%, Yamina 6.2%, Labor 6.1%, UTJ 5.6%, Yisrael Beiteinu 5.6%, Religious Zionist Party 5.1%, Joint List 4.8%, New Hope 4.7%, Meretz 4.6%, Ra'am 3.8%, other 0.5%; seats by party - Likud 30, Yesh Atid 17, Shas 9, Blue and White 8, Yamina 7, Labor 7, UTJ 7, Yisrael Beiteinu 7, Religious Zionist Party 6, Joint List 6, New Hope 6, Meretz 6, Ra'am 4 - NA
description: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of:
Senate or the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (65 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms)
Chamber of Deputies or House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (130 seats; 115 members directly elected in 23 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote and 15 seats for women; 12 of the 115 seats reserved for Christian, Chechen, and Circassian candidates; members serve 4-year terms)

elections:
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024)

election results:
Chamber of Deputies - note - tribal, centrist, and pro-government candidates dominated in the 130-seat election; the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, garnered only 10 seats, down from 15 in the previous election; women, who are guaranteed 15 seats by Jordan's legislative quota system, only won the requisite number, down from the 20 seats won in the previous election

 

Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the president, deputy president, 13 justices, and 2 registrars) and normally sits in panels of 3 justices; in special cases, the panel is expanded with an uneven number of justices

judge selection and term of office: judges selected by the 9-member Judicial Selection Committee, consisting of the Minister of Justice (chair), the president of the Supreme Court, two other Supreme Court justices, 1 other Cabinet minister, 2 Knesset members, and 2 representatives of the Israel Bar Association; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; family and juvenile courts; special and religious courts
highest courts: Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (consists of 15 members, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the king; other judges nominated by the Judicial Council, an 11-member judicial policymaking body consisting of high-level judicial officials and judges, and approved by the king; judge tenure generally not limited; Constitutional Court members appointed by the king for 6-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Great Felonies Court; religious courts; military courts; juvenile courts; Land Settlement Courts; Income Tax Court; Higher Administrative Court; Customs Court; special courts including the State Security Court
Political parties and leaders

Democratic Union [Nitzan HOROWITZ] (alliance includes Democratic Israel, Meretz, Green Movement)
Joint List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta'al, United Arab List, Balad)
Kahol Lavan [Benny GANTZ] (alliance includes Israeli Resilience, Yesh Atid, Telem)
Labor-Gesher [Amir PERETZ]
Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]
Otzma Yehudit [Itamar BEN-GVIR]
Religous Zionist Party [Belzalel SMOTRICH, chairperson]
SHAS [Arye DERI]
United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah)
Yamina [Ayelet SHAKED]
Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID]
Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]
Zehut [Moshe FEIGLIN]

Ahrar al-Urdun (Free People of Jordan) Party [Samir al-ZU'BI]
Al-Awn al-Watani (National Aid) Party [Faysal al-AWAR]
Al-Balad al-Amin Party [Khalil al-SAYED]
Al-Itijah al-Watani (National Trend Party) [Ahmad al-KAYED]
Al-Mustaqbal (Future) Party [Salah al-QUDAH]
Al-Nida' Party [Abd-al-Majid ABU-KHALID]
Al-Rayah Party (Flag Party) [Bilal DHEISAT]
Al-Shahama Party [Mashhour ZREIQAT]
Al-Shura Party [Firas al-ABBADI]
Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Zyad AL-HOMSI]
Conservatives Party [Hasan RASHID]
Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'eed DHIYAB]
Democratic Sha'b Party (HASHD) [Abla ABU-OLBEH]
Freedom and Equality Party [Hamad Abu ZEID]
Islamic Action Front [Murad AL-ADAYLAH]
Islamic Centrist Party [Madallah AL-TARAWNEH]
Jordanian Al-Ansar Party [Awni al-RJOUB]
Jordanian Al-Hayah Party [Abd-al-Fattah al-KILANI]
Jordanian Communist Party [Faraj ITMIZYEH]
Jordanian Democratic Socialist Party [Jamil al-NIMRI]
Jordanian Democratic Tabiy'ah (Nature) Party [Ali ASFOUR]
Jordanian Equality Party [Zuhair al-SHURAFA]
Jordanian Fursan (Cavaliers Party) [Ali al-DHWEIB]
Jordanian Justice and Development Party [Ali al-SHURAFA]
Jordanian National Action Party [Abd-al-Hadi al-MAHARMAH]
Jordanian National Constitutional Party [Ahmad al-SHUNNAQ]
Jordanian National Democratic Grouping Party [Shakir al-ABBADI]
Jordanian National Party [Muna ABU-BAKR]
Jordanian National Union Party [Zeid ABU-ZEID]
Jordanian Progressive Ba'th Party [Fu'ad DABBOUR]
Jordanian Promise Party [Mahmoud al-KHALILI]
Jordanian Reform Party [Eid DHAYYAT]
Jordanian Social Justice Party [Abd-al-Fattah al-NSOUR]
Jordanian Wafa' (Loyalty) Party [Mazin al-QADI]
Justice and Reform Party [Sa'eed Nathir ARABIYAT]
Modernity and Change Party [Nayef al-HAMAYDEH]
National Congress Party [Irhayil GHARAYBEH] (formerly the Zamzam party)
National Renaissance Front Party [Isma'il KHATATBEH]
National Unity Party [Muhammad al-ZBOUN]
Pan Arab Movement Party [Dayfallah FARRAJ]
Partnership and Salvation Party [Muhammad al-HAMMOURI]
Reform and Renewal Party [Mazin RYAL]
Risalah Party [Hazim QASHOU']
Stronger Jordan Party [Rula al-HROUB]
Unified Jordanian Front Party [Farouq AL-ABBADI]
International organization participationBIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN, CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Gilad Menashe ERDAN (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500

FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607

email address and website:
consular@washington.mfa.gov.il

https://embassies.gov.il/washington/Pages/default.aspx

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador Dina Khalil Tawfiq KAWAR (since 27 June 2016)

chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664

FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110

email address and website:
hkjconsular@jordanembassyus.org

http://www.jordanembassyus.org/
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael RATNEY (since 1 June 2021)

embassy: 14 David Flusser Street, Jerusalem, 9378322

mailing address: 6350 Jerusalem Place, Washington DC  20521-6350

telephone: [972] (2) 630-4000

FAX: [972] (2) 630-4070

email address and website:
JerusalemACS@state.gov

https://il.usembassy.gov/

branch office(s): Tel Aviv

note: on 14 May 2018, the US Embassy relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv; on 4 March 2019, Consulate General Jerusalem merged into US Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission
chief of mission: Ambassador Henry T. WOOSTER (since 8 October 2020)

embassy: Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St., Amman

mailing address: 6050 Amman Place, Washington DC  20521-6050

telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000

FAX: [962] (6) 592-0163

email address and website:
Amman-ACS@state.gov

https://jo.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionwhite with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times

note: the Israeli flag proclamation states that the flag colors are sky blue and white, but the exact shade of blue has never been set and can vary from a light to a dark blue
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
National anthemname: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)

lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN

note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)
name: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)

lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER

note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICC jurisdiction
National symbol(s)Star of David (Magen David), menorah (seven-branched lampstand); national colors: blue, whiteeagle; national colors: black, white, green, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship

residency requirement for naturalization: 3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization

note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Jordan

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Economy

IsraelJordan
Economy - overview

Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.

 

Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan.

 

Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.

 

In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.

Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt.

King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism. Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan's most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan's urban areas. Jordan's own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016.

Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy-mostly natural gas-and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan's imports. To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves. In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$394.7 billion (2019 est.)

$351.254 billion (2018 est.)

$339.528 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$101.738 billion (2019 est.)

$99.786 billion (2018 est.)

$97.893 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate-2.6% (2020 est.)

3.28% (2019 est.)

3.69% (2018 est.)
2% (2019 est.)

1.94% (2018 est.)

2.12% (2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$41,953 (2020 est.)

$40,145 (2019 est.)

$39,543 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$10,071 (2019 est.)

$10,023 (2018 est.)

$10,010 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 26.5% (2017 est.)

services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 4.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 28.8% (2017 est.)

services: 66.6% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line22% (2014 est.)

note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day
15.7% (2018 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2010)
lowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)1.8% (2020 est.)

0.8% (2019 est.)

0.8% (2018 est.)
0.3% (2019 est.)

4.4% (2018 est.)

3.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force3.893 million (2020 est.)731,000 (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 1.1%

industry: 17.3%

services: 81.6% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 2%

industry: 20%

services: 78% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate4.4% (2020 est.)

3.81% (2019 est.)

4% (2018 est.)
19.1% (2019 est.)

18.61% (2018 est.)

note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%
Distribution of family income - Gini index37 (2018 est.)

39 (2016 est.)

39.2 (2008)
33.7 (2010 est.)

36.4 (1997)
Budgetrevenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 9.462 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 11.51 billion (2017 est.)
Industrieshigh-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footweartourism, information technology, clothing, fertilizer, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate3.5% (2017 est.)1.4% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsmilk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetablestomatoes, poultry, olives, milk, potatoes, cucumbers, vegetables, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, peaches/nectarines
Exports$104.992 billion (2019 est.)

$101.389 billion (2018 est.)

$95.196 billion (2017 est.)
$13.109 billion (2018 est.)

$12.718 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesdiamonds, packaged medicines, medical instruments, integrated circuits, refined petroleum (2019)fertilizers, calcium phosphates, packaged medicines, clothing and apparel, phosphoric acid (2019)
Exports - partnersUnited States 26%, China 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2020)United States 21%, Saudi Arabia 13%, India 8%, Iraq 7%, United Arab Emirates 5%, China 5% (2019)
Imports$116.23 billion (2019 est.)

$111.652 billion (2018 est.)

$104.252 billion (2017 est.)
$19.669 billion (2018 est.)

$19.353 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesdiamonds, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019)cars, refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, clothing and apparel (2019)
Imports - partnersUnited States 12%, China 11%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 7%, Turkey 6% (2020)China 17%, Saudi Arabia 15%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Egypt 5%, India 5% (2019)
Debt - external$132.5 billion (31 December 2020 est.)

$99.886 billion (2019 est.)

$94.247 billion (2018 est.)
$32.088 billion (2019 est.)

$29.916 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesnew Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -

3.44 (2020 est.)

3.4684 (2019 est.)

3.7332 (2018 est.)

3.8869 (2014 est.)

3.5779 (2013 est.)
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar -

0.709 (2020 est.)

0.709 (2019 est.)

0.70925 (2018 est.)

0.71 (2014 est.)

0.71 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt72.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

59.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

60.4% of GDP (2018 est.)
95.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

95.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover central government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$173.292 billion (2020 est.)

$113 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$15.56 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$15.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance$20.642 billion (2020 est.)

$13.411 billion (2019 est.)

$7.888 billion (2018 est.)
-$1.222 billion (2019 est.)

-$2.964 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$394.93 billion (2019 est.)$44.568 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: A+ (2016)

Moody's rating: A1 (2008)

Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2018)

Note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Fitch rating: BB- (2019)

Moody's rating: B1 (2013)

Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 76.7 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 94.1 (2020)

Trading score: 83.4 (2020)

Enforcement score: 58.9 (2020)
Overall score: 69 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 84.5 (2020)

Trading score: 79 (2020)

Enforcement score: 55.6 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-5.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 6.7%

male: 6.1%

female: 7.2% (2019 est.)
total: 37.3%

male: 34.8%

female: 49.4% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 80.5% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 19.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 34.2% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -58% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving24.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

24.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

24.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
15.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

12% of GDP (2018 est.)

8.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

IsraelJordan
Electricity - production63.09 billion kWh (2016 est.)18.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption55 billion kWh (2016 est.)16.82 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports5.2 billion kWh (2016 est.)50 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)334 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production390 bbl/day (2018 est.)22 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports231,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)67,980 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves12.73 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)1 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves176 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production9.826 billion cu m (2017 est.)121.8 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption9.995 billion cu m (2017 est.)5.238 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)1.359 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports509.7 million cu m (2017 est.)6.456 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity17.59 million kW (2016 est.)4.764 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels95% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)87% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources5% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)12% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production294,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)67,240 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption242,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)139,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports111,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.)68,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

IsraelJordan
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 3.14 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36.8 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 355,537

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3.33 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 11.7 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137.11 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 7,778,770

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 72.91 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.il.jo
Internet userstotal: 6,873,037

percent of population: 81.58% (July 2018 est.)
total: 6,985,174

percent of population: 66.79% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

Israel has a highly developed economy with focus on technology products; investment in cyber-security industry and hub for start-ups; near universal broadband delivery to households and mobile penetration; LTE coverage, expanded fiber network with plans for 5G; emergency law allows mobile tracking; importer of broadcast equipment, integrated circuits, and computers from China; submarine cable connectivity to Europe (2021)

(2020)

domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; competition among both fixed-line and mobile cellular providers results in good coverage countrywide; fixed-line 36 per 100 and 127 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)

international: country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

Jordan is host to a growing number of ICT companies and has emerged as a technology start-up hub for the Middle East; recently focused on telecom solutions to pandemic issues such as e-health and education; progress in the digital financial services; economic goals rely on digital economy, developed mobile sector, and extensive LTE infrastructure; preparation for 5G and e-commerce; importer of broadcasting equipment from Vietnam and China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: 1995 a telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, the monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently fixed-line 4 per 100 persons and multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership up to 77 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 962; landing point for the FEA and Taba-Aqaba submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Asia; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 2.481 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29.08 (2019 est.)
total: 457,496

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.29 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediathe Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019)radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available

Transportation

IsraelJordan
Railwaystotal: 1,384 km (2014)

standard gauge: 1,384 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
total: 509 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 509 km 1.050-m gauge (2014)
Roadwaystotal: 19,555 km (2017)

paved: 19,555 km (includes 449 km of expressways) (2017)
total: 7,203 km (2011)

paved: 7,203 km (2011)
Pipelines763 km gas, 442 km oil, 261 km refined products (2013)473 km gas, 49 km oil (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,584,000) (2019)
major seaport(s): Al 'Aqabah
Merchant marinetotal: 41

by type: container ship 6, general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 29 (2020)
total: 35

by type: general cargo 7, oil tanker 1, other 27 (2020)
Airportstotal: 42 (2020)total: 18 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 33 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 8
total: 16 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 8 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 9 (2020)

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 6
total: 2 (2013)

under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Heliports3 (2013)1 (2012)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 64

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,404,373 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 994.54 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 54

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,383,805 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 175.84 million mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix4XJY

Military

IsraelJordan
Military branchesIsrael Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2021)

note: the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and Israel Defense Force
Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Army (includes Special Operations Forces, Border Guards, Royal Guard), Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Jordanian Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Gendarmerie Forces, Public Security Directorate (2020)
Military service age and obligation18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druze) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 32 months for enlisted men and about 24 months for enlisted women (varies based on military occupation), 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9-year service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), age 24 (women) (2020)17 years of age for voluntary male military service (women can volunteer to serve in noncombat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and RJAF); initial service term 2 years, with option to reenlist for 18 years; conscription abolished in 1991; however, in 2020, Jordan announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service for jobless men aged between 25 and 29 with 12 months of service, made up of three months of military training and nine months of professional and technical training; in 2019, announced a voluntary 4-month National Military Service program for men and women aged between 18-25 years who have been unemployed for at least six months; service would include one month for military training with the remaining three months dedicated to vocational training in the sectors of construction and tourism (2020)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP5% of GDP (2019)

5% of GDP (2018)

5.5% of GDP (2017)

5.5% of GDP (2016)

5.5% of GDP (2015)
5% of GDP (2020 est.)

4.7% of GDP (2019)

4.7% of GDP (2018)

4.8% of GDP (2017)

4.6% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have approximately 173,000 active personnel (130,000 Ground Forces; 9,000 Naval; 34,000 Air Force) (2021)the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) have approximately 90,000 active personnel (77,000 Army; 500 Navy; 12,500 Air Force); est. 15,000 Gendarmerie Forces (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe majority of the IDF's inventory is comprised of weapons that are domestically-produced or imported from Europe and the US; since 2010, the US is by far the leading supplier of arms to Israel, followed by Germany; Israel has a broad defense industrial base that can develop, produce, support, and sustain a wide variety of weapons systems for both domestic use and export, particularly armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and guided missiles (2021)the JAF inventory is comprised of a wide mix of imported weapons, mostly second-hand equipment from Europe, the Gulf States, and the US; since 2010, the Netherlands and the US are the leading suppliers of military hardware to Jordan (2020)

Transnational Issues

IsraelJordan
Disputes - international

West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); in March 2019, the US Government recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region

2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation

Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 12,181 (Eritrea), 5,061 (Ukraine) (2019)

stateless persons: 42 (2020)
refugees (country of origin): 2,272,411 (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 669,497 (Syria), 66,760 (Iraq), 13,902 (Yemen), 6,024 Sudan (2021)

stateless persons: 17 (2020)

Terrorism

IsraelJordan
Terrorist Group(s)Kahane Chai; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian Islamic Jihad

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Environment

IsraelJordan
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 19.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 65.17 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 13.02 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 32.09 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 25.11 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.04 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 983 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 72 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.249 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 456.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 32.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 554.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5.4 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1.35 million tons (2017 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25% (2017 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,529,997 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 177,100 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7% (2014 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook