When exploring survey data
recently released by the Jordan Department of Statistics (DOS),
a compelling narrative emerges regarding divorce rates across the twelve governorates of Jordan spanning
the years 2016 to 2022. Within this dataset lies a tapestry of stories
challenging prevailing beliefs and shedding light on unexpected anomalies.
Surprisingly, amidst the complex landscape of marital dynamics, it appears that
selecting a partner from Jarash or Ajloun may represent an optimal choice for
Jordanians. This revelation not only piques curiosity but also underscores the
nuanced intricacies of marriage and divorce within Jordanian society.
Based on the DOS survey data,
the highest divorce rate relative to the population in Jordan during 2016–2022
was in the Aqaba Governorate.
The Jarash Governorate, followed by its neighbour Ajloun, had the lowest. The
Amman Governorate follows the Jarash and Ajloun Governorates, and it was a
close third in some years. The divorce rates are surprising since Aqaba enjoyed
so much attention and vast expenditures on infrastructure over the last 24
years, while Amman received most of the foreign and domestic direct investment.
Surprisingly, governorates known to have several poverty pockets, such
as Jarash and Ajloun, have meager divorce rates per population, specifically,
0.13%. Other governorates with higher per capita incomes, such
as Amman and Balqa, have higher divorce rates.
Possibly because the cost of living is higher in the last two governorates.
But this is not all; the one governorate that is consistent with economic
theory (which stipulates that low income leads to misery and marital troubles
and, thus, a higher divorce rate per capita) is the Madaba Governorate.
Throughout the 2016–2022 period, Madaba has been among the highest in terms of
divorce rates. Madaba enjoys the distinction of having the highest divorce rate
during 2016–2022, which was in Madaba in 2017.
The fact that divorce rates were not as high as pundits and analysts in Jordan
had predicted in 2020 is an intriguing finding. The extended curfew, lockdowns,
and stoppage of supply chains and transport led to being stuck at home with
one's spouse but did not lead to higher divorce rates. On the contrary, the
average divorce rate decreased across the 12 governorates from 0.26% in
2019 to 0.22% in 2020. Additionally, Aqaba had the highest divorce rate
per capita with 0.22%, and Ajloun had the lowest, at 0.12%, with
Jarash, Amman, and Karak following closely behind at 0.13% each. The lowest
average divorce rate over the period was in Jarash, as it ranged between 0.10% and 0.21%. The highest average divorce rate per capita was in
Aqaba, which led to five years out of the seven years in terms of having the
highest divorce rate.
The rates are extremely puzzling. What is so special about Jarash and Ajloun
that makes divorce rates so low there? Why does Aqaba have such high divorce
rates? Most importantly, why have people tended to avoid divorce during the
lockdowns, as shown by the divorce rate drop in 2020? This last question may
have some logical responses: the courts were closed for a significant part of
the year; transportation virtually stopped; aid targeted households, not
individuals; and several other reasons that had to do with the stoppage of
economic activities.
In summary, data suggests that marrying someone from Jarash or Ajloun in Jordan
could lead to a lower risk of divorce. The data hints that the dynamics of
marriage within Amman and other affluent regions may not align with the
relative stability observed in Jarash and Ajloun. Transplanting these
relationships into different socio-economic environments may introduce new
challenges and influences.
Published in Jordan News:
https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-36/Opinion/Can-the-secrets-of-Jarash-and-Ajloun-s-successful-marriages-apply-anywhere-34145
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