Key Takeaways
• About 1.3 million Syrians live in Jordan; 660,000 registered with UNHCR as of early 2025.
• Between December 2024–February 2025, 43,704 refugees returned to Syria, a tenfold increase over 2023.
• 67% of Syrian refugees live below poverty line; most face housing, job, and legal challenges.
The situation of Syrian refugees in Jordan has changed a lot since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. With about 1.3 million Syrians living in Jordan, including around 660,000 registered with the UNHCR, the country faces both new opportunities and ongoing challenges. This article explains the current status of Syrian refugees in Jordan, the rules and processes that affect them, their rights and daily realities, and what the future might hold. It also looks at how international support, government policies, and real-life experiences shape the lives of these refugees.
Who Are the Syrian Refugees in Jordan?
Syrian refugees are people who fled Syria because of war, violence, or fear for their safety. Many left their homes after the conflict began in 2011. Jordan 🇯🇴, a neighboring country, has become one of the main places where Syrians have found safety. According to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), about 660,000 Syrian refugees are officially registered in Jordan, but the total number is closer to 1.3 million. This means that about 15% of Jordan’s population are Syrian refugees, making Jordan one of the countries with the highest number of refugees per person.
Most Syrian refugees in Jordan do not live in camps. Only about 10% stay in refugee camps, while the rest live in cities and towns across the country. The largest groups are in Amman, Irbid, and Al-Mafraq. This urban setting brings both opportunities and problems, as refugees try to build new lives in unfamiliar places.
Recent Changes and Return Trends
Increase in Voluntary Returns
After the fall of the Assad regime, some Syrian refugees began returning home. Between December 8, 2024, and February 22, 2025, about 43,704 Syrian refugees went back to Syria from Jordan. This is a big jump compared to just 4,000 returns in 2023. Most of these returnees were young adults, and 70% of the returns were whole families going back together. The main places they returned to were Daraa, Homs, and rural Damascus.
However, not all refugees want to return. Surveys in early 2025 showed that while many refugees in Azraq camp hoped to return soon, by April 2025, only about one-third still planned to go back within a year. Many are worried about safety, jobs, and basic services in Syria.
New Entry Policies
Jordan has also changed some of its rules for Syrians. Now, Syrians who live in Europe, America, Australia, Canada 🇨🇦, Japan, South Korea, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries can enter Jordan without special approval, as long as they have a valid residence permit in their current country for at least four months. This makes it easier for some Syrians to visit family or handle personal matters in Jordan.
Living Conditions and Daily Challenges
Poverty and Debt
Life is hard for most Syrian refugees in Jordan. Even after years of help from aid groups, about 67% of refugees live below the poverty line. Most families are in debt, borrowing money just to pay for food, rent, and medicine. In late 2022, more than 80% of refugee households owed money, and 9 out of 10 had to use negative coping strategies, like skipping meals or taking children out of school.
Housing Problems
Housing is a major issue. About 80% of refugees living outside camps stay in poor-quality homes. Many families struggle to pay rent, and some have received eviction notices. In the camps, shelters are often crowded and unsafe. Rising rent prices in cities make it even harder for refugees to find decent places to live.
Work and Economic Integration
Getting a job is tough for Syrian refugees in Jordan. Work permits are limited, and many refugees end up working in informal jobs with low pay and little protection. The Jordanian economy was already under strain before the refugee crisis, and the arrival of so many people has made things harder for everyone.
Still, there have been some efforts to help. Jordan works with international partners to create jobs for both refugees and local people, especially in factories and farms. These programs aim to reduce poverty and help refugees become more independent.
Education and Healthcare
The arrival of so many Syrian children has doubled the number of students in some Jordanian schools. This puts a lot of pressure on teachers and resources. Some refugee children have to leave school to help their families earn money. Access to healthcare is also limited, especially for those without official refugee status or who live outside camps.
Rights and Legal Status
Registration and Protection
Syrian refugees in Jordan can register with the UNHCR, which helps them get access to aid, healthcare, and education. Registration also offers some protection from being sent back to Syria against their will. However, not all refugees are registered, and those without papers face extra problems, like trouble finding work or getting medical care.
Residency and Movement
Most Syrian refugees in Jordan have temporary residency. This means they can stay in the country, but their rights are limited. They may not be able to travel freely, work in certain jobs, or open businesses. The Jordanian government has been asked to make residency more stable, so refugees can plan for their future and contribute more to society.
Work Permits
To work legally in Jordan, Syrian refugees need a work permit. These permits are usually for jobs in farming, construction, or factories. Getting a permit can be hard, and many refugees end up working without one. This puts them at risk of being exploited or losing their jobs without warning.
For more information about work permits and refugee rights in Jordan, readers can visit the Jordanian Ministry of Labor’s official website.
International Support and Coordination
Jordan has received a lot of help from other countries and organizations to support Syrian refugees. The European Union has given nearly 3.5 billion euros in aid since 2011. This money helps pay for food, shelter, schools, and health services.
After the political changes in Syria, Jordan organized the “Aqaba Meeting,” bringing together leaders from the region and beyond to talk about Syria’s future. In February 2025, an international conference in Paris led to more promises of help for rebuilding Syria and supporting refugees.
UNHCR continues to play a key role in protecting Syrian refugees in Jordan. They provide emergency aid, help with registration, and work with partners to find long-term solutions. As reported by VisaVerge.com, UNHCR is also increasing support for refugees who choose to return to Syria, making sure their rights and safety are respected.
Integration: Challenges and Opportunities
Economic Integration
- Barriers: Limited work permits, low wages, and few job opportunities make it hard for refugees to earn a living.
- Opportunities: Programs that create jobs for both refugees and Jordanians can help reduce poverty and build stronger communities.
Social Integration
- Barriers: Even though Syrians and Jordanians share a language and culture, there are still differences that can make it hard to fit in. Some local people worry that refugees are taking jobs or using up resources.
- Opportunities: Community programs, schools, and shared projects can help build trust and understanding between refugees and host communities.
Housing and Infrastructure
- Barriers: Poor housing, high rents, and crowded camps make daily life difficult for many refugees.
- Opportunities: Building better homes and improving city services can help refugees and Jordanians alike.
Pathways for the Future
The future for Syrian refugees in Jordan depends on several things:
- Stability in Syria: If Syria becomes safer and offers jobs and services, more refugees may choose to return home.
- Support in Jordan: Continued help from the international community is needed to provide food, shelter, and opportunities for refugees.
- Better Policies: Jordan can help by making residency more secure and allowing refugees to work and travel more easily.
- Urban Planning: Most refugees live in cities, so programs should focus on helping them in these areas, not just in camps.
- Legal Rights: Giving refugees clearer legal status will help them build better lives and contribute to Jordan’s economy.
Real-World Examples
- Azraq Camp: Home to about 40,500 Syrian refugees, Azraq camp shows both the strengths and weaknesses of the current system. Most residents depend on aid, and many worry about their future. In early 2025, many hoped to return to Syria, but by April, most had changed their minds due to safety concerns.
- Urban Refugees: In cities like Amman, Irbid, and Al-Mafraq, refugees face high rents and tough job markets. Many families live in crowded apartments and struggle to pay for basics. Some children have to leave school to help support their families.
Practical Implications for Refugees, Host Communities, and Policymakers
- For Refugees: It’s important to register with the UNHCR to access aid and protection. Refugees should seek legal work permits when possible and connect with community organizations for support.
- For Host Communities: Programs that benefit both refugees and Jordanians, like job creation and better schools, can reduce tension and improve life for everyone.
- For Policymakers: Clearer rules, more stable residency, and better planning for urban refugees will help both refugees and the country as a whole.
What Can Be Done Now?
- Refugees: Register with the UNHCR, apply for work permits, and seek help from local organizations.
- Communities: Support programs that bring refugees and locals together, such as language classes, job training, and cultural events.
- Government and Donors: Continue funding aid programs, improve housing and schools, and make it easier for refugees to get legal status and jobs.
Conclusion
The story of Syrian refugees in Jordan is one of both hardship and hope. While some have returned home since the fall of the Assad regime, most remain in Jordan, facing daily struggles with poverty, housing, and work. With continued support from the international community, better policies, and strong local programs, there is a chance for Syrian refugees to build safer, more stable lives—whether in Jordan or one day back in Syria.
For more information about refugee rights and support in Jordan, visit the UNHCR Jordan website. This official source provides up-to-date details on registration, aid, and legal matters for Syrian refugees and others in Jordan.
By working together—refugees, host communities, governments, and international partners—there is hope for a better future for all those affected by the Syrian crisis.
Learn Today
UNHCR → United Nations agency that protects refugees and assists with their registration and aid access.
Refugee Camps → Designated areas where displaced people live temporarily, often with limited resources and facilities.
Work Permit → Official authorization allowing refugees to legally work in specific jobs within Jordan.
Residency Permit → Temporary document that allows refugees to stay in Jordan but limits rights and freedoms.
Voluntary Return → The choice of refugees to go back to their home country when conditions improve.
This Article in a Nutshell
Syrian refugees in Jordan face poverty, limited work permits, and housing struggles. Despite increased returns post-Assad fall, most remain. International aid and new policies aim to improve integration, legal status, and safety, offering hope for more stable futures within Jordan’s urban centers or eventual safe return to Syria.
— By VisaVerge.com
