دراسة استقصائية للفقر والبطالة في الأردن وتحليل الأثر الاجتماعي والاقتصادي

Yousra Harb; Ayman Harb; Seif Athamneh; Waed Ensour; Amal Al-Kharouf

doi:10.35516/hum.v52i6.7676

Authors

Yousra Harb Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0906-9165
Ayman Harb Department of Hotel Management, School of Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Jordan, Aqaba, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1725-5707
Seif Athamneh Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Business, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0469-1614
Waed Ensour Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4180-6724
Amal Al-Kharouf Center for Women's Studies, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2813-0942

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v52i6.7676

Keywords:

Poverty, Unemployment, COVID-19, Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor families in Jordan, specifically focusing on the issues of poverty and unemployment. Additionally, it seeks to identify the most affected groups and their locations.

Methods: A quantitative approach was used, employing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The study sample consisted of proportional random sample of poor families from the three regions of Jordan and its twelve governorates. The number of questionnaires suitable for statistical analysis was 3,920. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to address the study's objectives and questions. The R programming language was used to perform the statistical analyses.

Results: The analysis of quantitative data revealed that COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on poverty and unemployment in Jordan. The young adults were the most affected age group, and males were the most affected gender. Camp residents were more adversely impacted based on place of residence, with the governorates of Ajloun and Aqaba experiencing the greatest effects. In terms of nature of work, the informal employment sector was particularly hard hit. The findings confirm statistical differences in the study sample's standard of living before and after the pandemic, highlighting long-term economic, social, health, and psychological effects. Conversely, the data indicated that the Jordanian government's response to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic was moderate.

Conclusions: The study offers recommendations for decision-makers to address poverty and unemployment in Jordan, aiming to mitigate crisis impacts.

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