Economy Type
Resource, Service & Regional Gateway Economy
Jordan is classified as a Resource, Service & Regional Gateway Economy country.
This is because it exports phosphates, potassium, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and clothing, and develops tourism, education, medical, ICT, and logistics services, while connecting the Gulf, Iraq, and Levant regions through the Port of Aqaba.
However, high dependence on imports for oil, gas, and food, as well as water shortages, refugee reception, government debt, and conflicts with neighboring countries, constrain growth. Reflecting the impact on the Middle East, the IMF forecasts a growth rate of 2.7% and a consumer price inflation rate of approximately 2.3% in 2026.
Country Definition
Jordan is a stable regional gateway connecting the Gulf and the Levant, based on phosphates, potassium, pharmaceuticals, tourism, ICT, education, and medical services.
Why It Matters
Jordan is a medium-sized market with a population of approximately 11.59 million, and its strategic value lies more in its geopolitical location and institutional stability than in its own resources or domestic market size. It borders Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and Palestine, and has access to the Red Sea and international maritime logistics networks through the Port of Aqaba.
Phosphates, potassium, fertilizers, clothing, and pharmaceuticals are important in merchandise exports. In 2024, merchandise exports amounted to approximately $12.5 billion, with the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, and Iraq being major markets.
Korea Perspective
For South Korea, Jordan holds greater significance for fertilizers and minerals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, water treatment and desalination, medical and ICT, construction, and logistics markets linked to Iraq and the Gulf, rather than as a large-scale consumer market.
Korean companies can consider entering the fields of solar power and ESS, power transmission and distribution, smart water systems, desalination, medical devices, pharmaceutical cooperation, agricultural technology, and Aqaba logistics and public digitalization.
Key Keywords
- Phosphate
- Potash
- Fertilizer
- Pharmaceuticals
- Tourism
- ICT
- Renewable Energy
- Water Security
- Aqaba Port
- Regional Gateway
Jordan is located in the West Asian Levant region and borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Palestine. The capital, Amman, is the center of administration, finance, ICT, education, and healthcare; Zarqa is a manufacturing hub; and Aqaba is a key base for ports, tourism, and logistics.
As a constitutional monarchy, it maintains a relatively stable system of state administration, and the dinar system pegged to the US dollar contributes to currency stability. The IMF assessed that the growth rate rose to 2.7% in the first half of 2025 and that prices stabilized at around 2%.
Key Features
- Levant-Gulf connecting location
- Relatively stable politics and institutions
- Possesses phosphate and potassium resources
- Export base for pharmaceuticals and clothing
- Medical, Education, and ICT Service Capabilities
- Port of Aqaba
- High dependence on energy imports
- World-class water shortage
- Refugees, Employment, and Financial Burden
- Impact of conflicts in neighboring countries
Jordan's economy has a service-oriented structure with a high proportion of wholesale and retail trade, finance, telecommunications, transportation, tourism, education and healthcare, and public services.
The World Bank projected a growth rate of approximately 2.8% for 2025, but the unemployment rate reached 21.4% in the third quarter of 2025. With the female unemployment rate even higher at 33.9%, the problem of economic growth failing to translate into sufficient private sector jobs persists.
The IMF projected a growth rate of 2.7% for 2026 and suggested that the current account deficit could expand to about 6.9% of GDP as tourism revenue weakens due to regional conflicts and import costs for freight, insurance, and energy rise.
Market characteristics
- service-oriented economy
- stable monetary and financial system
- High proportion of government and international organization projects
- Small domestic market and limited purchasing power
- High youth and female unemployment rates
- Dependence on energy and food imports
- Impact of tourism, remittances, and aid
- High public debt and fiscal constraints
- Relatively high institutional stability even in regional disputes
MarketHub Point
Jordan should be evaluated based on stability, specialized services, public projects, and connectivity with neighboring countries, rather than the size of its domestic market.
Phosphates and potassium are Jordan's representative resource industries. Phosphates are linked to the fertilizer and chemical industries, while Dead Sea potassium is linked to agricultural fertilizers and chemical products.
Pharmaceuticals are Jordan's representative high-value-added manufacturing industry. Based on its capabilities in generic drugs and pharmaceutical production and registration, the country exports to the Middle East and North Africa markets.
The clothing industry has established an export-oriented production base by utilizing the free trade agreement with the United States and industrial complexes. Tourism generates foreign currency and employment, centered on Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Aqaba, and religious and medical tourism.
While solar and wind power have expanded rapidly in the energy sector, dependence on oil and gas imports and power grid flexibility remain significant challenges. The IEA assesses that Jordan has promoted the expansion of clean energy by utilizing incentives for renewable energy facilities and related equipment.
Key industries
- Phosphate fertilizer
- Potassium · Chemistry
- medicines
- Clothing and Textiles
- Tourism and Hotels
- Medical and educational services
- ICT and Business Services
- Food and Agriculture
- erection
- Ports and Logistics
- solar and wind power
Key resources
- phosphate
- potassium
- silica sand and limestone
- solar power
- wind force
- Dead Sea minerals
- Tourism and Cultural Heritage
- English and Arabic speakers
- Aqaba Port
- Local service network
MarketHub Point
Jordan's competitiveness lies not in the mineral resources themselves, but in processing phosphates and potassium into fertilizers and chemicals, and connecting human resources to pharmaceuticals, ICT, and medical services.
요르단의 주요 수출품은 칼륨, 인산염, 비료, 의류, 의약품, 화학제품과 일부 농식품이다. 주요 수입품은 원유·가스, 차량, 기계, 전기전자, 곡물, 의약원료와 산업 중간재다.
WTO 자료에서 2024년 상품수입은 약 262억8천만 달러였으며, 요르단의 평균 실행관세율은 비교적 낮은 수준이다. 미국·사우디아라비아·인도·이라크와 EU가 주요 교역시장이다.
아카바항은 요르단의 유일한 해상관문으로 에너지·곡물·기계·소비재 수입과 비료·광물 수출을 담당한다. 이라크·사우디아라비아·시리아 방향의 육상도로는 지역무역과 재건물류에서 중요하다.
주요 교역국
- 미국
- 사우디아라비아
- 인도
- 이라크
- 중국
- 아랍에미리트
- 유럽연합
- 이집트
- 튀르키예
- 인접 레반트 국가
공급망 특징
- 인산염·칼륨·비료 수출
- 의류·의약품 수출기반
- 에너지·식량·기계 수입의존
- 아카바항 단일 해상관문
- 이라크·걸프 육상물류 가능성
- 홍해·수에즈 운송위험
- 관광·항공서비스 영향 큼
- 냉장·의약품 물류 중요
- 국경상황과 주변국 분쟁에 민감
MarketHub Point
요르단 공급망의 핵심은 아카바항과 육상회랑을 활용해 걸프·이라크·레반트 시장을 연결하는 데 있다.
요르단의 주요 사업기회는 수자원, 에너지, 의약품, 의료, ICT, 관광, 광물가공과 지역물류에 집중된다.
가장 중요한 프로젝트 시장은 물이다. 요르단은 세계에서 물 부족이 가장 심각한 국가 중 하나로, 해수담수화·대규모 송수·누수관리·하수재이용과 스마트수도망 투자가 필요하다. 담수화와 대규모 물 이송은 전력수요도 증가시키므로 재생에너지·ESS·고효율 펌프를 함께 설계해야 한다.
의약품과 의료 분야에서는 공동생산, 제네릭의약품, 의료기기, 병원정보시스템과 원격의료 협력이 가능하다. ICT에서는 디지털정부, 핀테크, 사이버보안, BPO와 아랍어 기반 서비스 수요가 존재한다.
시장 특징
- 정부·국제기구 프로젝트 중심
- 미국·EU·걸프 지원과 개발금융 중요
- 현지 기업·에이전트와 관계 중요
- 중동지역 테스트·서비스 거점 가능
- 가격·금융조건·장기 유지보수 중시
- 비교적 높은 인적자본
- 작은 내수와 공공재정 제약
- 지역안보와 사업연속성 검토 필요
주요 기회
- 담수화·송수시설
- 스마트수도·누수관리
- 하수처리·재이용
- 태양광·풍력·ESS
- 전력망·에너지효율
- 인산염·칼륨 가공
- 비료·정밀화학
- 의약품·의료기기
- 디지털헬스
- ICT·전자정부
- 관광·호텔
- 아카바항·이라크 물류
주요 리스크
- 물 부족과 가뭄
- 에너지 수입가격
- 높은 공공부채
- 높은 실업률
- 작은 내수시장
- 관광경기 변동
- 난민수용과 공공서비스 부담
- 주변국 전쟁·국경위험
- 홍해·수에즈 물류비 상승
- 정부조달·지급지연
- 전력·수도 공기업 부담
요르단 경제는 2026년에도 약 2%대 후반의 완만한 성장을 유지할 가능성이 높다. IMF는 지역분쟁의 충격에도 정책안정과 국제사회의 재정·금융지원이 경제의 회복력을 뒷받침한다고 평가한다.
장기 성장동력은 수자원 인프라, 재생에너지, 의약품, ICT, 관광회복, 광물가공과 이라크·시리아 재건물류가 될 수 있다.
그러나 현재의 성장속도만으로는 높은 실업률을 크게 낮추기 어렵다. 세계은행도 요르단의 안정적인 성장에도 투자와 일자리 창출이 충분하지 않다고 평가한다.
향후 주목할 변화
- 중동분쟁과 관광회복
- 아카바항·홍해 물류
- 국가 물 프로젝트
- 담수화·재생에너지 연계
- 태양광·풍력·ESS
- 전력공기업 개혁
- 인산염·칼륨 가격
- 의약품 수출
- ICT·디지털서비스
- 이라크·시리아 재건
- 청년·여성 고용
- 공공부채·국제금융지원
Market Position
Levant Stability Hub + Water, Resource & Regional Service Market
인산염·칼륨·의약품과 비교적 안정적인 제도, 아카바항을 기반으로 걸프·이라크·레반트를 연결하는 서비스·프로젝트 시장
Key Opportunities
- 수처리·담수화
- 스마트수도
- 태양광·풍력·ESS
- 인산염·칼륨 가공
- 비료·화학
- 의약품·의료기기
- 디지털헬스
- ICT·전자정부
- 관광·호텔
- 아카바항·물류
- 이라크 재건 연계
Recommended Strategy
Prioritize
물·에너지·의료·ICT 등 요르단이 구조적으로 필요로 하는 프로젝트 분야를 우선 선정한다.
↓
Partner
정부·국제기구·개발은행·현지 전문기업과 결제·운영·유지보수 구조를 함께 설계한다.
↓
Expand
요르단에서 확보한 프로젝트와 서비스 실적을 이라크·걸프·레반트 시장으로 확장한다.
Final Assessment
요르단은 일반 소비재보다 수자원·재생에너지·비료·의약품·ICT·관광과 지역물류를 중심으로 접근해야 하는 중동의 안정형 전략 프로젝트 시장이다.
조사 범위
본 자료는 국제기구, 요르단 정부·통계기관, 무역·에너지·수자원·산업자료를 교차 검토하여 작성하였다.
국제기구
- International Monetary Fund
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
- International Finance Corporation
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- International Energy Agency
- United Nations
- UNCTAD
정부 및 공공기관
- Government of Jordan
- Department of Statistics Jordan
- Central Bank of Jordan
- Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation
- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation
- Jordan Investment Commission 관련 자료
- Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority
- KOTRA
- 한국수출입은행 해외경제연구소
해외 주요 언론
- Reuters
- Bloomberg
- Financial Times
- The Economist
- BBC
- Jordan Times
- Petra News Agency
- 중동 지역 경제전문매체
연구 및 산업자료
- IMF Jordan 2025·2026 EFF·RSF 자료
- World Bank Jordan Economic Monitor
- WTO Jordan Trade Policy Review
- WTO Jordan Trade and Tariff Profile
- IEA Jordan Energy Profile
- 인산염·칼륨·비료·의약품 산업자료
- 담수화·송수·물·에너지 연계자료
- Public data related to tourism, ICT, refugees, and employment
Writing Verification
This document was prepared in accordance with the following principles.
- Written based on facts and open sources
- Cross-review of data from international organizations, governments, trade, energy, and water resources
- Reflecting the latest data available as of July 2026
- Distinction between 2025 growth performance and 2026 outlook
- Distinguishing between mineral raw materials and the fertilizer and chemical processing industries
- Separate analysis of tourism revenue and merchandise exports
- Reflecting both the expansion of renewable energy facilities and dependence on energy imports
- Simultaneous analysis of water scarcity and energy costs of desalination
- Balancing regional gateway opportunities and security risks from neighboring countries
- Reflecting the perspective of utilization by South Korean companies and public institutions
- Apply MarketHub WCI v1.0 Golden Template
- Applying the same table of contents and standards to 195 countries
Jordan is a stable regional gateway country in the Middle East connecting the Gulf, Iraq, and the Levant, based on phosphate, potassium, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, clothing, and tourism, medical, education, and ICT services.
South Korea should understand Jordan not merely as a consumer market, but as a project and service market capable of integrating desalination, water transmission, and smart water systems; solar power and ESS; fertilizers and mineral processing; pharmaceuticals and medical devices; digital government; and logistics at the Port of Aqaba.
In particular, water scarcity is the most fundamental constraint on Jordan's economy and life, but at the same time, it creates long-term industrial demand to combine water treatment, desalination, renewable energy, pumps, power grids, and smart metering.
However, considering the small domestic market, high unemployment rate, public debt, energy imports, and conflicts with neighboring countries, a phased entry combined with international development finance, government projects, and local specialized firms is more appropriate than sole private investment.
Final evaluation
Jordan is a key regional gateway strategic country that requires long-term cooperation from South Korean companies in the water treatment, energy, fertilizer, pharmaceutical, ICT, construction, and logistics sectors to secure stable project bases in the Middle East and expand into the markets of Iraq, the Gulf, and the Levant.