AMMAN — The number of work permits issued to Syrian refugees in Jordan decreased by 64.9 per cent during the first half of 2026, reaching 12,546 compared with 35,702 in the same period of 2025, according to UNHCR data.
The UN refugee agency said that the figures represent permits issued rather than the number of individuals holding permits, as a single worker may receive more than one permit during a year, Al Mamlaka TV reported.
A total of 513 permits were issued in January, 510 in February, 644 in March, 3,185 in April, 6,336 in May and 1,358 in June, with May recording the highest number. Males accounted for 94.8 per cent of permits issued during the first half of 2026, while females accounted for 5.2 per cent, down from 15.6 per cent during the same period in 2025.
The number of Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan stood at 370,179, a 33.9 per cent decline from 560,452 during the same period in 2025.
The number of working-age refugees, aged between 18 and 59, also fell by 37.4 per cent to 167,897, compared with 268,365 in 2025.
The participation of Syrian refugees in Jordan’s labour market is governed by the Labour Law. Open sectors include sales and services, agriculture, trade, construction and manufacturing, while home-based businesses are permitted in areas including food processing, handicrafts and tailoring.
In Zaatari Camp, the number of active work permits fell by 55.3 per cent to 323 by June 2026, compared with 723 in the same month of 2025.
In Azraq Camp, active work permits dropped by 58.7 per cent to 52 by June 2026, compared with 126 in June 2025.
https://jordantimes.com/news/local/work-permits-issued-to-syrian-refugees-drop-649-in-h1-unhcr?