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AMMAN — The latest population estimates show that Jordan’s population reached about 11.7 million people by the end of 2024.
Among them, older adults aged 60 and above accounted for 5.5 per cent of the total, with 5.3 per cent among men and 5.7 per cent among women, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Data from the Department of Statistics (DoS), released on the International Day of Older Persons, highlighted that the highest proportion of elderly citizens live in Amman with 6.2 per cent.
This was followed by Ajloun and Karak, both at 5.3 per cent, while Balqa, Madaba, Irbid, and Maan recorded 5.2 per cent each. Mafraq had the lowest percentage at 4.2 per cent.
Life expectancy in Jordan now stands at 75.3 years, 77 years for women and 73.8 years for men.
Officials say this improvement reflects the progress in healthcare services over the years, which reduced mortality rates and extended life spans.
The 2024 Labour Force Survey revealed that 18.1 per cent of Jordan’s elderly population are illiterate, while 15.1 per cent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
It also showed that the overwhelming majority of older Jordanians, 97.9 per cent, are married or have been married before.
When it comes to technology, usage remains limited, where a 2023 survey found that 9.7 per cent of seniors aged 60-64 use computers, compared with just 5.4 per cent among those aged 65 and older.
Men reported higher computer use than women, 14.2 per cent of men in the 60-64 age group versus 5.3 per cent of women.
Marking the international day, DoS stressed the importance of shedding light on indicators related to older people, such as their share by governorate, gender, and life expectancy.
The department also noted that aging will become one of the major social transformations facing Jordan, with impacts across the labour market, financial systems, housing, transport and social protection.
The government underlined its constitutional commitment to protecting the elderly, embedding this priority in key national documents such as “Jordan 2025” and the National Human Rights Plan (2016–2025).
Among the practical steps taken are opening specialised clinics to provide direct medical care for residents of elderly care homes. Under the National Strategy for Older Persons, Jordanians aged 60 and above are officially recognised as senior citizens.
