Amman:The national economy experienced a 3 percent growth in the second quarter of 2026, accelerating from 2.8 percent a year earlier. This expansion was driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and other productive sectors, despite regional disruptions affecting energy flows, trade, tourism, transport, and supply chains.
According to Jordan News Agency, the second-quarter growth rate was the highest recorded in years. Economists noted the resilience of the economy, particularly because Jordan imports most of its energy and is exposed to regional economic disruptions. Notably, 19 of the 20 sectors covered by the national accounts recorded positive expansion.
Manufacturing showed a robust growth of 6.2 percent, contributing 1.04 percentage points to overall GDP growth. Agriculture expanded by 7.8 percent, and electricity increased by 5 percent. Banking expert Mohsen Abu Awad highlighted the economy's positive trajectory, citing stronger manufacturing, agriculture, and electricity as key contributors to the improvement in productive sectors.
Abu Awad emphasized the Central Bank of Jordan's role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, which supports economic and investment activity. He stressed the need for continued coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, increased productive investment, and higher productivity to sustain momentum.
University of Jordan economics professor Raad Al-Tal stated that the economy maintained a stable growth path despite regional pressures. Manufacturing was a strong indicator, accounting for 17.2 percent of GDP at constant prices. Growth was also observed in agriculture, electricity, and water, demonstrating widespread economic momentum.
Financial and economic expert Mohammad Al-Hadab Al-Sarhan highlighted the breadth of expansion, with activity increasing across production, services, trade, transport, and financial services. He noted that faster growth would require building on strong sectors and addressing constraints in slower industries.
Economic and financial expert Mohammad Abdulqader pointed out that the second-quarter result is part of a longer upward trend in real GDP growth, with gradual improvement observed over the years. Manufacturing generated about 35 percent of total second-quarter growth, while agriculture and other sectors also made positive contributions.
Abdulqader mentioned that the growth figures were achieved against a challenging regional backdrop in 2026, with disruptions to energy and trade routes. The International Monetary Fund projected lower growth for the Middle East and Central Asia, while Jordan achieved a 3 percent real GDP growth in the second quarter, aligning with the IMF's global economic growth projection for the year.
The next challenge, according to Abdulqader, is to achieve higher and more sustainable growth by expanding value-added productive sectors and converting higher output into investment, employment, and stronger real incomes.