Poverty alleviation in Jordan in the 1990's: lessons for the future

The purpose of this report is to draw lessons for improving the policy design of poverty alleviation schemes in Jordan. The conclusions herein are based on analyses of trends in consumption poverty in Jordan and assessment of the impact of government programs (including food subsidies and cash transfers) on poverty alleviation in the 1990s.

Paper concludes that poverty declined in Jordan between 1992 and 1997 and that this was because inequality declined. It asserts that government programs contributed to poverty alleviation. Paper states that poverty continues to be a major policy challenge for Jordan and recommends that

• sustainable reduction of poverty requires resumption and sustainability of growth
• there is a need for policy response to the vulnerability of the poor and near-poor to economic shocks
• the capacity of the National Aid Fund (NAF) needs to be significantly enhanced
• continued priority needs to be placed on human development policies, particularly those affecting the poor