Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Nearly half of Jordanians eligible for employment in the work force are currently unemployed or looking for jobs, a Jordanian economic expert said, noting that out of nearly 3 million Jordanians in the age range for employment, only 1.5 million are actually employed.

Head of the Jordanian Economic and Social Council, Dr. Jawad Anani said on Sunday that Jordan ought to take advantage of the "population" opportunity, noting that Jordan is one of countries in the world most affected by "population transformation," brought about by regional changes.

During a seminar held by the Jadal Center for Media Training and the High Council for Population, Anani said that Jordan has been affected since the beginnings of last century with waves of sudden immigrations as a result of conflicts and conditions in neighboring countries.

He stressed that Jordan needs to focus on productivity in the work force, noting that the average Jordanian works 250 days out of 265 days a year, "a very low productivity rate compared to advanced nations," with working-age employees getting an average of 115 days off during the year.