Rhetoric Or Response: Has Jordan Truly Constitutionalized Youth Voices?

The Demographic and Political Context Of Jordan:

Understanding the nuanced nature of the Jordanian government's youth reform requires a foundational understanding of the country's make-up.

Jordan’s demographic profile presents both an opportunity and a challenge. With almost two-thirds of Jordanians under 30 years old, the country faces internal pressure to prioritize youth interests to sustain social cohesion and political legitimacy.

The youth quota system was introduced to address this need by reserving parliamentary seats for younger representatives and by lowering the minimum age for candidacy to '25 measures' that signal acknowledgment of the importance of multi-generational inclusiveness. Party lists are legally mandated to include young candidates, which ostensibly opens the door for greater youth participation.​

Yet, the youth quota policy emerged within a political system historically dominated by entrenched elites, tribal networks, and gerontocracy; elements that have historically been enshrined in Middle Eastern political frameworks. This environment complicates the process by which young leaders can gain genuine traction and influence policy with the aspiration to constitutionalize youth voices being overpowered by longstanding political structures and societal norms that privilege elders in leadership roles.​

Therefore, while in theory the new institutional framework supports youth inclusion, empirical data reveals a gap between formal representation and actual participation. While the candidacy age has been reduced and quotas exist on paper, youth under 30 constitute only about 6% of candidates in local elections, hardly reflective of the demographic weight of Jordanian youth. This limited presence shows persistent barriers to entry for younger candidates derived from the nation's socio-political context.​

Moreover, as a result of these entrenched and rigid hierarchies, youth voter turnout remains notably lower than older age groups, indicating a disconnection or skepticism toward the political system as a whole. Factors contributing to this disengagement include economic difficulties, lack of trust in political institutions, and a sense that youth concerns are often sidelined or tokenized.​

The Promise and Pitfalls of Youth Quotas: 

At face value, youth quotas represent a progressive step aimed at making parliament more inclusive and reflective of modern Jordanian society. They offer recognition of youth as legitimate political actors and seek to modernize governance by introducing fresh ideas and new leadership styles. Studies show that young representatives are often better positioned to address issues specifically affecting their peers such as unemployment, education reform, and technology-driven economic opportunities.​

However, research indicates that the benefit of these quotas is primarily symbolic rather than substantive. Studies by organizations like the OECD and Brookings Institution highlight the institutional fragmentation that prevents youth initiatives from gaining momentum. Youth programs are often isolated within bureaucracies, poorly funded, and lack coordination which limit their ability to transform opportunities into actual political power.​

Moreover, rigid party hierarchies and traditional legislative committees tend to marginalize young MPs, restricting their influence in shaping laws and policy, especially in areas that directly affect youth livelihoods and rights. This marginalization risks reducing youth quotas to a box-checking exercise that does little to address systemic exclusion.​

The Socioeconomic Complexities That Inhibit Youth Inclusion: 

Underlying these political barriers are deeply entrenched socioeconomic factors that sharply constrain youth engagement in Jordan. One of the most pressing issues is the country’s persistently high youth unemployment rate, which stood at a staggering 46% for those aged 15–24 as of early 2025. Young men experience a 40% unemployment rate, while young women face an even higher rate of 66% among the highest in the region. The unemployment rate among university-educated youth is also elevated at 26%, reflecting limited returns on educational investment and further discouraging political participation.​

This economic hardship severely limits young people’s resources and their ability to participate in public life, as financial instability often makes engagement in costly electoral campaigns unattainable. For example, youth parliamentary candidates face registration fees of 500 dinars (around $700 USD), in addition to mandatory campaign costs that can go up to 2,000 dinars, posing a significant burden and barrier for many aspiring young leaders. Beyond campaign costs, young Jordanians are expected by social norms to prioritize finding work and supporting their families, leaving them little time or energy to dedicate to civic activity or political engagement.​

Therefore, financial constraints play a pivotal role in low youth turnout in elections and political apathy. In the last parliamentary elections, youth voter turnout was significantly lower than older demographics, reflecting widespread skepticism about the responsiveness of the political system to their needs. Additionally, almost half of the unemployed in Jordan are considered long-term unemployed: out of work for more than one year, further compounding the challenge of economic empowerment and sustained civic participation among young people.​

Unemployment doesn't just fuel disengagement, but the interplay of fiscal restrictions with cultural traditions and limited institutional support creates additional layers of exclusion. In the meantime, traditional social norms continue to elevate elders in decision-making roles, reinforcing the perception that politics is not a place for the young. This results in youth being shut out of not only parliamentary campaigns, but also party hierarchies, and leadership positions in both formal and informal political spaces.​

Ultimately, the convergence of economic frustration with societal expectations, and political barriers drives a cycle of marginalization for Jordanian youth, making genuine participation in public life a significant challenge despite ongoing reforms.

The Reality: Symbolism Over Substance

If youth quotas in Jordan are not paired with broader reforms, they risk becoming a form of political theater rather than meaningful change. The policy’s durability depends on transforming representation from mere presence into political power.

Currently, youth representatives often lack access to important party roles, decision-making forums, and networks required to build sustainable political careers with these issues being greatly exacerbated by economic hardship.

Without addressing economic disparities, educational gaps, and cultural attitudes, quotas alone cannot generate inter-generational political renewal. Young people need more than parliamentary seats; they require structural support that enables them to mobilize, lead, and influence the policy agenda effectively.​

How Can Jordan Move Past Rhetoric?

Further Lower the Candidacy Age: Bringing down the minimum age requirement to align with international standards could broaden youth access to elected office and signal a more inclusive democracy.​

Reduce Campaign Costs: Implementing financial support or caps for electoral campaigns would lower barriers for youth candidates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Develop a Comprehensive National Youth Policy: A holistic approach that integrates youth issues across government departments and fosters collaboration can reduce fragmentation and improve program effectiveness.​

Enhance Civic Education and Political Engagement: Investing in political literacy and leadership training equips youth with the skills and motivation needed to participate actively.

Encourage Youth Leadership within Political Parties: Supporting youth in party leadership positions can enable more sustainable influence and reduce their marginalization in legislative processes.​

What Does The Future Hold? A Step Forward, with Miles to Go:

Yes, Jordan’s youth quota system in parliament marks an important step toward acknowledging the demands and potential of its youthful population. It has succeeded in elevating youth political visibility and started a conversation about generational inclusion where there was little before.

However, symbolic representation without systemic reform only reinforces the status quo rather than challenging it.

The true test of Jordan’s commitment to constitutionalizing youth voices lies in whether it can translate quotas into substantive political empowerment. This requires integrated reforms that dismantle barriers of age, cost, tradition, and institutional fragmentation. By doing so, Jordan can cultivate a generation of informed, capable, and influential young leaders ready to shape the kingdom’s future—not as political tokens, but as genuine architects of change in the Middle Eastern region.

Until then, the youth quota system remains a work in progress: an important first chapter in Jordan’s evolving democratic story, but far from the final word.