Child Poverty and Youth Unemployment in Jordan

Abstract

The main purposes of this article were to investigate the extent and depth of child poverty and youth unemployment in Jordan. In addition, it investigates the sociocultural connotation of child poverty and youth unemployment and the roles of state, society, and civic organizations in responding to these twin problems; as Syrian refugees currently constitute around one-fifth of Jordan's population, the plight of Syrian children and youth is also addressed. The importance and urgency of the twin problems of poverty and unemployment, especially in relation to children and youth, are reflected in the speeches and correspondence of King Abdullah II.