Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Jordan's sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question. In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the specifics of Jordan's sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 54.7

Jordan actively participates in the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the OIC, the World Bank, the IMF, the European Energy Charter, cooperates with the EU and participates in international conferences as a co-host and organizer of working groups on Palestine, humanitarian and regional initiatives.

The Government Effectiveness Index (WGI, 2024) is 0.01–0.05 (on a scale of -2.5/+2.5), which corresponds to the average level for developing countries in the region; there is a gradual increase in administrative efficiency, although the reform of the state apparatus is limited by bureaucratic inertia and political control. EGDI (E-Government Development Index, UN 2024) — 0.61, which corresponds to the "average" level, e-government is represented by public service exchange systems, open portals and e-government platforms, but access and quality vary by region.

The Constitution of Jordan presupposes the integration of international law into the national legal system — international treaties ratified by Parliament have the force of law and operate above ordinary legislation, but not above the Constitution.

In real conflicts between international obligations and national laws, priority is most often given to national legislation (dualistic model). Jordan maintains comparative stability in an unstable region (40.28% according to Political Stability and Absence of Violence, World Bank 2023), but internal risks include increased protest and discontent, party control, and attempts to restrict radical organizations (for example, banning the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood).

Trust in King Abdullah II remains relatively high compared to the government: the institution of the monarchy enjoys legitimacy and support, but reports indicate an increase in public discontent with economic policies, corruption and the restriction of the opposition. There are limited foreign military installations of the United States and the coalition in Jordan (training missions, small bases, outposts for operations in Syria and Iraq), but there are no direct permanent large foreign bases. Jordan recognizes the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and actively cooperates with international judicial institutions, there are no clear refusals/distancing, although national processes have priority.

The country retains a tightly centralized system: most of the power and governance is concentrated in the hands of the king and the government, decentralization is carried out only in certain sectors (municipalities, local councils) and is developing slowly.

The activities of the special services (GID, military intelligence) remain closed to public scrutiny.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, coverage is 93%.

Economic sovereignty — 51.2

GDP per capita at purchasing power parity is $10,800-11,510 (World Bank, IMF, Trading Economics, 2025). The total volume of the country's gold and foreign exchange reserves is $22.76 billion (May—June 2025, Central Bank of Jordan), which allows it to cover imports for 9 months; gold reserves include $7.76 billion.

The national debt in 2025 is 80-91.2% of GDP (according to various accounting methods). Net debt (including deductions for funds) — 33.9–39.8% of GDP; gross debt (including guaranteed obligations and external loans) — up to 117.4% for individual episodes.

Jordan belongs to the countries of moderate risk: up to 80% of the main products (wheat, rice, corn, oil) are imported; the country is vulnerable to price shocks, but does not face mass famine. Grain reserves cover 6-8 months of domestic demand, and government support programs are functioning stably.

Jordan is heavily dependent on oil and gas imports, and its own energy independence is less than 13% (hydroelectric power plants, renewable sources, and small—scale generation). Solar energy has been developing since 2021, with a target of 20% by 2027. The country has explored reserves of phosphates (one of the largest in the world), potash, copper, uranium (a large deposit), salt, limestone.

Phosphate exports are a key component of GDP; uranium is not yet being developed industrially. Jordan is one of the most dehydrated countries in the world: fresh water reserves are less than 120 m3 per person/year. There is a critical shortage; significant losses during transportation, desalination and economical water use projects are constantly being implemented by the state.

The national payment system JoMoPay is operating (under the control of the Central Bank), all bank transactions, cards, QR/mobile transfers are integrated. The share of usage is almost 100% within the country for banking operations and services. The bulk of domestic settlements take place in the Jordanian dinar (JOD); the dollar/euro are used for foreign trade, but the national currency dominates all settlements with state-owned companies and the public.

The issuing center is the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ); credit policy is fully controlled by government regulators, interest rate decisions are independent, and monetary instruments are developed by the central bank.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 92%

Technological sovereignty — 44.8

Spending on research and development is 0.7% of GDP (the latest UN estimate, 2016, stable average level over recent years; global value is 1-2.6%). The level of import substitution is low: only 1.45% of high-tech exports are locally manufactured; most of the equipment, software, chips and components are imported, and basic localization is developing in the telecom, fintech, and digital platforms for public services sectors.

Elements of local software — no more than 25% of the solutions used. Higher education coverage is 33.06% of young people (2023, UNESCO, World Bank). Up to 37.5% of university students are women. The global average is about 40%. Internet penetration is 91-92.5% of the population (2024-2025, 10.7 million users).

4G/5G coverage is up to 99.7%, high-speed Internet is one of the best in the Arab region, and the average speed is over 142 Mbps. Government platforms are developing in the country: e-government, JoMoPay (payments), the national open-data portal, unified digital services in the banking and educational environment; the share of local platforms among the massively used is up to 35% (the rest are foreign software and clouds).

Import dependence is more than 75% in key areas: hardware, chips, software, microelectronics, biotec, robotics — main supplier countries: China, Europe, USA. Jordan ranks "middle+" according to EGDI — 0.61 (2024); electronic services for taxes, state registers, education, payments and health are available, development is accelerating with the launch of the Digital Inclusion Policy 2025.

The base is limited — the expertise and production of generics and biopharmaceuticals are based on the import of technologies and a component base; the level of autonomy is no more than 30%. Robotics is developing vigorously in university and specialized centers (universities of Amman, Aqaba Tech, individual industrial laboratories), but mass solutions, equipment, and technologies are imported; the level of local components is less than 10%. Jordan is completely dependent on imports, there is no own production; the country is focused on importing ready-made systems, chips and components.

Local laboratories are working on prototypes and research grants, without having industrial support.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 93% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 58.3

The national Center for Cybersecurity NCSC operates in the country, the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025-2028 has been approved; the national CIRT has been established, the country participates in the ITU CyberDrill initiative. Jordan is among the top 40 countries in the world according to the National Cybersecurity Index (NCSI — 73.33 points).

Jordan has 1 active Internet Traffic Exchange Point (IXP), with network peer-to—peer coverage of 14.3% of local networks. There are 4 large data centers registered in the country, 44% of the most visited sites are accessible from the local cache.

The main media outlets operate in Arabic (the official language), there are fewer publications in English, but they are present on the market (Jordan Times, Al Ghad TV, Ro'ya TV and others).

The media is controlled by the state, and censorship on political issues and publications about the royal family is periodically intensified. A MIL strategy is underway with the support of UNESCO (improving media literacy). Sustainability is low: local platforms exist (JoMoPay, public services), but Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon AWS/Cloud, Zoom, etc. are widely used.

Addiction is critical in the corporate and consumer environment. About 44% of popular Internet content is locally hosted or cached; most of the content of the main TV and news resources is its own product (in Arabic/English), the rest are foreign media, aggregators. The main public services and payment solutions (JoMoPay, e-government, open-data portals, mobile applications for transport and medicine) are implemented by local developers. The share of national software among mass services is up to 30-35%.

Internet penetration is 91-92.5% of the population (2025), mobile communications — up to 99.7%, most digital public services are available online (taxes, medicine, education, business processes). There is a national infrastructure for storing government data: data centers, cloud platforms JoMoCloud, CBJ, banking services, some solutions are on local servers; active migration of public sectors to the national cloud continues.

The largest mobile operators (Orange Jordan, Zain, Umniah) are licensed by the state, and the mobile network communications infrastructure is regulated and upgraded through national legislation. The main equipment is imported, but key services and management are under the control of CBJ, MoICT.

The "Data Protection Law" (2023) has been adopted, personal data is regulated by MoICT and CBJ, work is underway to localize storage and access control; some European standards are integrated into legislation, but there are gaps in international obligations and controls.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 90%.

Cultural sovereignty — 69.4

There are 6 active UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan: Petra, Qasr Amra, Um er Rasas, Wadi Rum, the place of baptism (Bethany on Jordan, Al-Maghtas), As-Salt. There are 14 more objects on the waiting list. Jordan is the "heart of the Levant", a crossroads of ancient civilizations: the legacy of the Nabataeans (Petra), Roman and Byzantine art, Islamic architecture, traditional Bedouin lifestyle, unique water supply systems (Roman aqueducts).

The Place of Baptism is the largest international cultural and religious brand. Achievements in crafts, music and applied arts are actively exported.

National Art and Culture Awards are regularly held in the country: National Arts & Culture Awards, Jerash Festival Awards, Cultural Resource grants and other projects to support young artists and ensembles. Traditional identity is based on the unity of Bedouin and urban communities, respect for hospitality and freedom of religion, a system of family and community ties, holidays and crafts. One of the oldest practices of baking (14,000 years old), a stable custom of preserving the environment, architectural traditions and a special system of family cemeteries.

Support is provided through projects of the Ministry of Culture, grants, educational programs, participation of representatives of small ethnic groups in the Jerash Festival, exhibitions and awards.

The problems with Arabization and assimilation are partially compensated through quotas in parliament, special projects of schools and museums. More than 1,500 cultural and historical sites (museums, complexes, mosques, fortresses, ancient settlements, monasteries, museums) are officially registered in the country. Active participation in international exhibitions (EXPO 2025, Kyoto, CHANDI Summit), joint projects with Japan, cooperation with the EU and UNESCO, Jerash Festival (37 participating countries), regular trips and exhibitions, exchanges and joint archival projects.

The facilities and traditions are officially recognized and promoted by world organizations (UNESCO, GIST ACTA, World Tourism Awards). Brand protection is in force under the Heritage Law, implemented through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, active marketing on large objects (Petra, bread, carpets, ceramics).

The national cuisine is a mixture of Arab, Bedouin, Mediterranean, Persian and Ottoman traditions: dishes — mansaf, mafrum, kebab, tabun bread, mahalabiya, dates, honey, scales, local cheeses, soups, sweets. Ethnic groups bring their own recipes, and an annual festival of national cuisine is held.

The engagement index is up to 34-39% of the adult population (2019-2025, Jerash Festival, National statistical agency): participation in festivals, museums, family celebrations, national and religious celebrations, creative workshops and educational programs. Assessment of data completeness: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 87%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 62.1

HDI — 0.754 (99th place out of 193; category "high level"). Government spending on education is 3.16% of GDP (World Bank, 2022-2025) and 9.68% of the state budget. Adult literacy (15+) — 95% (2023, World Bank), the proportion of illiterates is 4.5%. Among men — 98.1%, women — 95.2%; youth (15-24 years old) — over 99%.

Jordan participates in the PISA program; in 2022 it ranked 45-54 in mathematics and natural sciences (below the OECD average), in 2025 the results were published within the framework of the OECD, the figures are stable (the exact score is available in official publications).

STEM graduates make up 32-36% of all university graduates (National Statistics and OECD data, 2023-2024). High proportion of engineering, technical and medical specialties. The share of foreign educational programs (scholarships, partner universities, online schools) is no more than 5-7% of the total number of students; the majority are from Erasmus+, USA, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Germany.

The country officially supports cultural and linguistic minorities: Arabs (88%), Kurds, Circassians, Armenians, Turkomans, Druze, Assyrians and others; projects are being implemented to include local languages and ethnocultural programs in education and museums. In public schools, Arabic is the main language of instruction, and other languages are supported through special programs.

There are 12 national research institutes in the field of fundamental sciences in the country. universities of Amman, Aqaba, Institute of Applied Mathematics, National Laboratories of Biotech, Medicine, Engineering and Physics). National online educational platforms (Darsak, eLERN, university projects, gov portals) cover 22-27% of the market (especially in school education and universities); most of the online educational services are foreign.

There are more than 15 national government programs in the country (Jerash Awards, Youth Grant, Innovation Week, STEM Olympiads, Talent Incubator, etc.), reaching up to 70,000 students and young professionals annually.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 88%.

Military sovereignty — 49.7

Official defense spending is 4.9% of GDP (2024-2025; $2.6 billion), which is higher than the global average. The total number of the armed forces (JAF) is 100,000-116,000 people (up to 65,000 reservists and up to 40,000 special services and security personnel). Weapons are being actively upgraded: the basis is M60 tanks, Challenger 1, Al-Wahsh armored vehicles, F-16, Black Hawk helicopters, and air defense systems. From 2022-2025, drones, counter drone systems, new standards for communications, night surveillance, border security, and export models of equipment will be introduced.

The share of local production is 16-24% (the main manufacturers are JODDB, defense plants, new ammunition facilities, national artillery and armored solutions). The rest of the equipment is imported from the USA, Europe, Turkey and Israel. Jordan maintains a high level of formal and de facto border control: integrated monitoring systems (radar, drones, night cameras), specialized border units, and rapid-response teams. The main challenges are the border areas with Syria and Iraq.

The reserve strength is estimated at up to 65,000 people (mobilization resources, veterans, special forces). During a crisis, it can be increased to 110,000, taking into account paramilitary formations. Jordan is not a member of the military-political blocs, but closely cooperates with the United States, Great Britain and the OIC countries; decisions are formally autonomous, the main operations are coordinated with Western allies and regional partners.

Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) operates, production facilities for ammunition, armored vehicles, communications and modernization of equipment, new factories for the storage and distribution of ammunition; cooperation with Turkey, Kuwait, the United States.

Nuclear weapons are completely absent — 0 warheads, zero nuclear stockpile. Jordan is a party to the NPT and confirms its non—nuclear status. There is no military space program; the national intelligence system is based on ground infrastructure, communications, monitoring, electronic and drone facilities, a flexible information system is used for border security, control and counter-terrorism operations.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and UN/NGO industry databases - 85% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Cultural heritage and identity: the country has 6 UNESCO sites, unique archaeological and historical complexes (Petra, Wadi Rum, Um er Rasas), rich traditions — interculture, ancient crafts, music festivals, support for Bedouin culture.

High human capital: literacy rate ~95%, high HDI (0.754, 99th place), steady higher education enrollment (~33%), active STEM programs.

Social stability and public safety: low crime and terrorist threats, personal safety, interethnic and interreligious tolerance, absence of large-scale conflicts. The development of digital infrastructure: high Internet coverage (91%), extensive government electronic services (EGDI — 0.61), active development of national digital platforms for payments and public services. Economic stability by key parameters: gold and foreign exchange reserves of $22.7 billion, a developed tourism and services industry, stable GDP growth (2.3% in 2023).

Professional armed forces and high border control: there are no leased military facilities in other countries, the army (115,000+) has modern equipment, and border security is provided with integrated monitoring and response systems.

Weaknesses. High debt burden: government debt is up to 91% of GDP, a significant part of the budget is spent on debt servicing, and economic growth is slow. High-tech and energy import dependence: local production of equipment, software, biotech, and microelectronics is extremely limited (<30%), energy independence does not exceed 13%, and critical imports of oil, gas, and equipment.

Limited military autonomy and industry: Our own weapons production is 16-24%, most of the equipment is imported, there are no space and nuclear components, and key decisions are coordinated with the United States and Great Britain. Water scarcity and food vulnerability: the volume of fresh water per capita is less than 120 m3 per year (one of the lowest rates in the world), food depends on imports of >80% of basic products.

Limited support for small nations: despite formal quotas and projects, Arabization is displacing local cultures; Ethnic minorities and their languages are partially supported. The average indicator of budget expenditures on education and R&D: government spending on education is up to 3.2% of GDP, spending on science is 0.7% of GDP; support for talents and personnel is limited, and coverage of long-term programs is low.

Overall assessment. Jordan's cumulative sovereignty Index is 390.2 out of 700 possible points (average 55.7%), which places the country in the top 100 in the global top. Jordan maintains a stable cultural and social foundation, ensures internal stability, effective digitalization and quality of life against the background of serious resource and technological constraints.

The country demonstrates resilience to regional risks by relying on tourism, education, and international cooperation, but structural dependence on defense, energy, and high-tech products remains a significant challenge to integrated sovereignty and development.

The sovereignty profile indicates that Jordan implements a unique model of sovereignty: a strong human and cultural foundation, well-developed administrative and military institutions, advanced digitalization and international integration, but significant dependence on external economic, resource and technological factors limits the country's strategic independence. Jordan's sovereignty is resilient to regional shocks, but vulnerable to food, energy, and major geopolitical changes.