IRI Jordan Poll Shows Uncertainty over Rights, Satisfaction with Services, Desire for Government Accountability

Amman, Jordan – A new nationwide public opinion poll in Jordan released by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows a lack of certainty over equal application of the law, satisfaction with services, and belief that the government lacks accountability.

The poll found that fifty-nine percent of Jordanians do not believe that everyone has equality under the law without wasta (An Arabic word that loosely translates to gaining access by leveraging personal connections). This is particularly true in southern governorates where 66% share this sentiment. 

“For democracy to succeed, people need to believe that the institutions are working for them,” said Owen Kirby, Director of the Middle East and North Africa at IRI. “Our research shows that a majority of Jordanians do not trust the judiciary to provide guaranteed protection of their rights.”    

The poll also found that most Jordanians are pleased with how they receive basic services from the government. Eighty-seven percent were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the provision of electricity. Seventy-five percent felt the same way about public transportation and 74% felt the same about water distribution. These figures represent modest increases from IRI’s previous poll.  

“The improved perception toward public services is positive news,” said Kirby. “These numbers demonstrate that Jordanians can increasingly rely on their local municipalities to meet their basic needs.” 

However, Jordanians do not believe that they have much influence or say over decision making whether at the national or local level. Eighty-two percent believe they can have only a little or no impact on government decisions, and 74% express similar sentiments when it comes to municipal decision making. Combined with high levels of support for democratic government (92%), Kirby said, “It is clear that Jordanians want a greater say in public life and decisions affecting their quality of living.”

Methodology  

The survey was conducted on behalf of the International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research by the University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies (CSS). The sample consists of 3,000 Jordanians aged 18 and older through face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) conducted at respondents’ homes between May 24 and June 6, 2023.The margin of error for the mid-range of the full sample is ±2.5-points at the 95% confidence level.​ The response rate for the survey was 76%. The data was weighted by governorate, urbanicity, age, sex, and educational attainment according to the Jordanian Department of Statistics’ 2023 updates to the 2015 Jordan Population and Housing Census. 

The survey was funded by the United States Agency for International Development.