Amman:The inflow of remittances from Jordanians working abroad is a significant factor in reinforcing the country's economic stability, contributing to foreign currency reserves, and supporting the economy's resilience against shocks.
According to Qatar News Agency, Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, Dr. Adel Al Sharkas, emphasized that the strength of Jordan's economy is not reliant on a single source of foreign currency but rather on a diverse range of financial flows and indicators. He highlighted the importance of remittances, which rank third among sources of foreign currency in Jordan's balance of payments, following exports and tourism income.
In 2025, workers' remittances into Jordan reached approximately $4.5 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. This volume was equivalent to around 7.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The momentum continued in 2026, with remittances amounting to approximately $2.9664 billion in the first seven months, reflecting a 14.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Al Sharkas noted the critical role remittances play in supporting domestic demand when spent on necessities like food, education, healthcare, and housing. They also contribute to savings, bolstering the financial system, and can be directed toward investment, aiding capital formation. The Governor underscored the importance of the banking sector in channeling these financial inflows into more productive uses.
Outgoing remittances from Jordan also rose by 14.2% in 2025 to approximately $1.8 billion, with the first seven months of 2026 seeing a further 14.4% increase to around $1.1 billion. Egypt was the largest recipient, accounting for 42.1% of total outgoing remittances during this period.
The resilience of Jordan's economy, according to Al Sharkas, is supported by the strength of its external sector, foreign reserves, and banking system, alongside continued economic and fiscal reforms. Foreign reserves stood at approximately $28.4 billion by the end of August 2026, sufficient to cover imports for about 9.2 months.
The Governor emphasized the need for continuous development of regulatory frameworks and financial technology to enhance monetary stability and financial security, highlighting digital transformation as a path toward more efficient financial services. This approach aims to maximize the economic value of remittances, transforming them from mere income transfers to resources that contribute significantly to capital formation and economic growth.