Turning Jordan’s Demographic Dividend into Economic Growth: How Two New World Bank Programs are Tackling Education Access and Skills Gap

Jordan’s economy is facing external shocks that have affected its growth and job creation, despite its resilience. With a large percentage of its population under the age of 30, the country has an opportunity to use its demographic dividend for development and growth. However, there are gaps in education access, particularly in early childhood education, as well as a need for increased investment to improve the quality of education and expand vocational training opportunities.

To address these challenges, the World Bank Group has approved two new programs in Jordan: the Jordan Human Capital Program and the Jordan Education, Skills, and Administrative Reforms Modernization Program – MASAR. These programs have a total financing of US$700 million and aim to drive sustainable and inclusive growth by improving the quality of education and providing youth with skills required for the future job market.

The MASAR program aims to equip children and youth with relevant skills for the labor market and economic transformation by 2029. The program includes enrolling more students in early education programs, improving basic skills, and increasing vocational and technical training opportunities for students. The Jordan Human Capital Program focuses on supporting governance and effectiveness in social sectors to ensure better outcomes for Jordanians and enhance resilience.

These programs align with Jordan’s reform priorities by supporting ongoing education sector and public sector reforms. They also prioritize human capital development, which is essential for sustainable economic growth in Jordan.

Overall, these programs aim to establish a more efficient, inclusive, and responsive education system in Jordan that can leverage its demographic dividend for development and growth while addressing challenges related to external shocks.