Education of Jordanians : outcomes in a challenging environment

Abstract EN

This paper employs the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey 2010 and 2016 waves to investigate the educational enrollment and attainment of Jordanians, as well as variations in school characteristics and student performance.

While enrollment in education deteriorated slightly in 2016 compared to 2010, educational attainment has improved in 2016 relative to 2010.

Household socioeconomic conditions, especially the wealth and education of parents, are related to enrollment in education and educational attainment.

There are disparities in enrollment based on gender, between urban and rural areas, and across the Middle, North, and South regions.

Enrollment rates were higher among females than males and the urban South region was disadvantaged.

Disease, poverty, and the wishes of parents and individuals were the main barriers to entering education for the younger generations, while poverty, traditions, and lack of schools were the main barriers for older generations.

The decline in lower levels of educational attainment was offset by more adults who obtained a university degree.