The Higher Population Council (HPC), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organized a high-level meeting on the current demographic situation of Jordan's population and the follow-up report on the performance of the National Population Strategy (2021-2030). The meeting was attended by members of the parliamentary Committee on Labor, Social Development, and Population, as well as the Secretary-Generals of the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites; the Ministry of Social Development; the Ministry of Education; and the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs.
Also attending the meeting were the following participants: from the Ministry of Interior—the Director General of the Civil Status and Passports Department, the Director of the Border and Residence Administration, and the Director of the Syrian Refugee Affairs Department in the Public Security Directorate; the Director of Expatriate Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates; the Assistant Secretary-General for Governorate Affairs at the Ministry of Environment; the Assistant Director-General for Financial and Administrative Affairs at the National Aid Fund; the Director of the Women's and Children's Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health; the Director of the Studies Unit at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation; the Director of the Internal Control Unit at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; the Director of the Reconciliation and Family Reform Directorate at the Department of the Chief Justice; the Director of the Planning and Studies Directorate at the Ministry of Transport; the Director of the Strategic Planning Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture; the Head of the Urban Environment Management Section at the Ministry of Local Administration; the Director of Policies and Monitoring at the Jordanian National Commission for Women; the Deputy Director of the Health Programme at UNRWA; the Director of the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection; and representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.
The meeting aimed to enhance shared knowledge of the components and challenges of Jordan's current demographic landscape, based on the latest evidence and figures drawn from official administrative records and household surveys. It also aimed to review the insights report on progress in implementing the National Population Strategy up to 2024 and the alignment of national efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the meeting sought strengthen advocacy and support from partners for annual plans related to the implementation of the National Population Strategy, build a unified vision for national development work, and enhance coordination and cooperation between ministries, the legislative authority, and relevant institutions to ensure role integration.
The Secretary-General of HPC, Professor Dr. Issa Almasarweh, affirmed that HPC continues to fulfill its designated role as the national reference authority for all matters related to population policies, information, and associated elements of reproductive health and their connection to sustainable development in Jordan. This commitment stems from a deep understanding that demographic changes have comprehensive and long-term impacts on various sectors and national needs. During the meeting, Almasarweh presented a comprehensive overview of Jordan's current demographic situation and its social and economic implications, highlighting the key population trends and the associated challenges.
For his part, the Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Jordan, Himyar Abdel-Mughni, emphasized in his speech that over the past years, UNFPA has provided targeted support to enhance national capacities within government institutions, councils, and statistical bodies. This support includes developing data collection tools, improving the quality of population indicators, and strengthening national systems for monitoring and tracking demographic shifts. He indicated that the "Insights" report presented today is a significant step in this direction, as it not only provides accurate reading of the current reality but also contributes to guiding future policies and interventions to accelerate progress toward achieving the goals of the 2021-2030 National Population Strategy.
In turn, the Assistant Director General of the Department of Statistics, Dr. Taysir Maqaddadi, addressed the General Population and Housing Census, its various stages, and its scheduled implementation at the beginning of 2026. He outlined the preparatory work undertaken during 2025 in preparation for conducting the census.
The meeting concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Local Administration, and the National Aid Fund. The discussion focused on the recommendations of the "Insights" report and the identification of joint working mechanisms and required responses to achieve the goals of the National Population Strategy. These goals necessitate close coordination among all relevant institutions, ministries, and bodies, in addition to engaging citizens as essential partners in implementation. The integration of roles, exchange of information, and unification of efforts ensure the effectiveness of population policies, enhance their ability to respond to evolving challenges, and contribute to maximizing resource utilization and achieving comprehensive and sustainable development that benefits society. The session was moderated by the Assistant Secretary-General of HPC for Planning and Monitoring, Ms. Rania Al-Abbadi.
