The Jordanian Department of Statistics has reported that youths, defined as individuals aged between 15-24, represent one-fifth of the nation’s population, amounting to 2.3 million of the total 11.6 million recorded at the end of last year. This age group comprises 20.2 percent males and 19.5 percent females, with the gender ratio standing at 116.1 males for every 100 females.
In recognition of International Youth Day, the department emphasized the geographical distribution of the youth across the country. The capital governorate houses about 42 percent of the youth population, followed by Irbid and Zarqa with 19.2 and 14.2 percent respectively. Other regions have a youth population ranging from 1 to 5.6 percent.
Economically, the participation rate for youth in 2023 was notably low at 22.4 percent, with male participation at 33.5 percent and female at only 9.6 percent.
The 2022 Household Use of Information Technology Survey shed light on the technological engagement among the youth. It found that 48.6 percent of those aged 15-19 use computers, with a slight female majority usage of 51.9 percent. The 20-24 age group has a lower computer usage rate at 38.5 percent. Internet usage remains high among Jordanian youth, with over 95 percent of both males and females aged 15-24 regularly accessing the internet.
