Over the past two years, ongoing political transitions in many Arab countries have led to social unrest and an economic downturn. This paper examines comparable historical episodes of political instability to derive implications for the near- and medium-term economic outlook in the Arab...

Fiscal consolidation, additional reserve buildup, and higher growth are key program objectives for the Jordanian authorities. Despite the socially difficult elimination of the fuel subsidy, program performance was mixed. Initiatives to strengthen banking supervision and develop capital markets...

This paper discusses Jordan’s Fifth Review Under the Stand-by Arrangement, Request for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion (PC) and Applicability of PC, Modification of PC, and Rephasing of Access. Program performance in 2014 is broadly on track. The end-September PC on the...

This paper focuses on Jordan’s 2014 Article IV Consultation, Third and Fourth Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), Request for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion (PC) and Applicability of PCs. The program is broadly on track and, looking forward, will focus on deep...

Jordan’s external vulnerabilities, arising mainly from the energy sector, increased during the last decade. Aided by exceptionally large grants, fiscal policy accommodated the social impact of these shocks. Concerns about social tensions at the beginning of the year put on hold the needed...

This paper discusses Jordan’s Second Review Under the Stand-by Arrangement, Request for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria (PCs), and Modification of PCs. Program performance is broadly on track. The central bank rebuilt reserves, which are now at a comfortable level and...