The headline findings of the public opinion poll conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies to mark the second anniversary of Dr. Jafar Hassan’s government show no major surprises or fundamental shifts in the views of either the national sample or the opinion leaders’ sample.
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The results point to a relatively high level of stability in the government’s popularity, both for the prime minister and his team, compared with polls conducted over the past two years and those concerning previous governments.
According to the findings, this may reflect the government’s consistency in maintaining the same approach and momentum with which it began, alongside other factors related to the overall management of the country and, in particular, the role of the military and security institutions.
In this regard, the poll reveals several noteworthy findings that warrant closer examination to understand their context.
More than half of respondents in the national sample, or 56%, said Jordan was moving in a positive direction. Asked why they held this view, more than 48% cited a sense of security, safety and stability as the main reason. More than 20% pointed to development, reform and improvements in general conditions.
By contrast, reasons related to improved living standards, public services, the economy, investment, employment and income each received less than 3%.
These figures are reflected in the responses of those who believe Jordan is moving in the wrong direction, who accounted for slightly more than one-third of the national sample. This proportion has consistently appeared in previous field assessments and national and digital surveys.
A total of 46% of these respondents cited poor economic conditions, debt and taxes, as well as unemployment and limited job opportunities, as the two main reasons for their negative outlook.
These figures can also be understood in light of responses to another question about Jordan’s most pressing challenges and the issues the government should address immediately. Unemployment, job opportunities and income ranked first, followed by poverty and the rising cost of living. Together, these concerns accounted for more than 67% of respondents who believe the country is moving in the wrong direction.
At the same time, the findings suggest that efforts to improve services in sectors such as healthcare and education have influenced public opinion, with these areas no longer viewed as major challenges or priorities by Jordanians. This may reflect tangible measures taken by successive governments to develop these sectors and improve the services provided to citizens.
One striking finding in the list of public concerns, however, is the low ranking of drug-related problems. Only around 1% of respondents identified security, crime and drugs as priorities requiring action.
This assessment may apply to security and crime in Jordan, where rates remain within normal international ranges and crimes are often detected quickly, reinforcing confidence in the ability of security institutions to combat them. The situation with drugs, however, is somewhat different. Security and military institutions are engaged in an ongoing battle against drug trafficking and related activities along Jordan’s borders and inside the country, amid high levels of drug-related crime. The broader context of the poll’s questions may help explain this finding.
The same applies to regional conditions and external threats. According to the poll, fewer than 1% of the national sample and more than 3% of the opinion leaders’ sample viewed these issues as challenges requiring government action.
This finding contrasts with the prevailing impression among elites, who closely follow regional developments and their implications for Jordan. It also differs from discussions in Jordanian social gatherings, which frequently focus on regional wars and their impact on the country, particularly the war involving Iran and Israeli policies.
