GDP of Jordan⁷⁸ per capita is Intl $4,348. This falls within the range of $21,223 ( Israel) and $600 (Palestinian Authority Gaza Strip) in the 6 MECC countries of the Middle East (Table 11).

Table 11: GDP per capita (Intl $): 6 MECC countries of the Middle East, 2001

Source WHO (2001) *CIA World Factbook (2003est.)**(2002est.)

Since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan has been ruled by The Hashemite Kingdom. King Hussein ruled from 1953 until his death in 1999, when he was succeeded by his eldest son King Abdullah. A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers of the day (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he re-instituted parliamentary elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a formal peace treaty with Israel. King Abdullah II - the eldest son of King Hussein and Princess Muna - assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001.

Parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The Prime Minister and government appointed in October 2004 declared their commitment to accelerated economic and political reforms and the new cabinet includes an unprecedented four women as ministers.