School-to-work transition in Jordan, 2010-2016

Abstract EN

This paper presents an analysis of the school-to-work transition in Jordan from 2010 to 2016 in a context of a demographic shock due to a massive influx of Syrian refugees.

It examines the trend of youth unemployment and labor force participation, first labor market status and transitions over 4 years after school.

The results show sharp increases in male and female unemployment rates and in unemployment duration.

In parallel, youth male labor force participation declined and women with post-secondary education are less active.

The school-to-work transition has deteriorated between 2010 and 2016 as young Jordanians are less active after leaving school and when they enter the labor market they take a longer time to work after school.

Furthermore, the Jordanian labor market is very segmented as transitions between different types of employment (public, formal and informal private jobs) are scarce.

Public employment is also less frequent after unemployment or inactivity