14 years since the Syrian crisis and eight years after the Jordan Compact, a large population of Syrian refugees remains in Jordan. There have been efforts to find durable solutions and support the integration of refugees in the country, including allowing Syrian refugees to work in certain sectors since 2016, but there are only a few small-scale studies that look at the impact of how refugees can benefit economic growth in Jordan.
Commissioned by the British Embassy in Amman, this evidence mapping report – the first of its kind in Jordan – aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing evidence of the economic impacts of refugee access to formal labour markets on both Jordanians and refugees. It is the first of its kind in Jordan.
The team explored the following research questions:
- What have been the short- and long-term economic impacts of refugees since the onset of the Syrian War?
- What have been the labour market impacts of the arrival of Syrian refugees on Jordanians,
refugees themselves and other population groups? - What might the successful integration of refugees into the Jordanian formal labour market look like?
- What gaps exist in the available data and evidence?
Using elements of a systematic review approach, Agulhas identified, selected and synthesised literature on this topic. The research also provided a clearer picture on which areas the evidence is more robust, and where there are gaps. Lastly, the team highlighted areas for further research such as (quasi-experimental) impact evaluations, labour market assessments and tracer studies.
The team was led by Annabella Skof, with team members Bryon Gillespie, Steven Tobin, Theodora Yeung, Lekha Tlhotlhalemaje, Noelie Hounzanme and quality assurance by Gemma Norrington- Davies. To know more about this project please get in touch with us at contact@agulhas.co.uk.
