The economic empowerment of women in Jordan has evolved from a developmental slogan into a national imperative, central to the country’s Economic Modernization Vision. A significant driver of this transformation is the rise of female entrepreneurship, with a new report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) highlighting a tangible shift in the nation’s startup landscape.
Jordanian women are increasingly converting economic challenges into productive opportunities, fostering local growth and playing a pivotal role in building a more resilient and sustainable economy.
A New Entrepreneurial Landscape
According to the latest GEM report for 2024–2025, Jordan’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity has increased by a remarkable 34%, signaling a dynamic and growing environment for new ventures. Within this boom, the participation of women has nearly doubled, rising from 11% to 20% of all new projects. This means that one-fifth of all new startups in the Kingdom are now led by women, a clear indicator of their expanding role in the national economy.
Regionally, Jordan has also distinguished itself by leading Arab nations in the number of companies adhering to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This reflects a growing commitment from the private sector to cultivate more inclusive and supportive work environments, reinforcing women’s leadership across various economic sectors.
Driving Economic Impact
Female-led enterprises are proving to be a powerful force for job creation, particularly for other women, which directly contributes to narrowing the economic participation gap. These ventures are instrumental in improving household incomes and raising the standard of living across the country.
By moving from positions of consumption to production, women entrepreneurs are achieving greater personal economic security, a crucial development in a market with limited traditional and governmental job opportunities.
Government and Institutional Support Fueling Growth
This progress is bolstered by a concerted effort from government and institutional bodies. Specialized programs have been launched to support women entrepreneurs, including the “Women Exporters in the Digital Economy” (WEIDE) Fund, which provides essential financing and technological tools to enhance the competitiveness of female-led projects on both local and international stages.
Support from Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship for e-commerce has also been pivotal, enabling women, especially those in governorates outside the capital, to access global markets from their homes. Concurrently, the National Committee for Women’s Affairs and the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment continue to work on integrating gender perspectives into government policies, ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of women’s enterprises.
About The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) is a consortium of national country teams, primarily associated with top academic institutions, that carries out survey-based research on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship ecosystems around the world. GEM is the only global research source that collects data on entrepreneurship directly from individual entrepreneurs.
Source: Ammon News
