Saudi Arabia vs. Jordan: A Comprehensive Comparison

Economic Overview

GDP

• Saudi Arabia: $793.5 billion (IMF, 2023 est.)
• Jordan: $44.4 billion (IMF, 2023 est.)

GDP per capita

• Saudi Arabia: $22,895 (IMF, 2023 est.)
• Jordan: $6,405 (IMF, 2023 est.)

Main industries

• Saudi Arabia: Oil and natural gas, petrochemicals, construction
• Jordan: Tourism, manufacturing, mining, agriculture

Population and Demographics

Population

• Saudi Arabia: 36.0 million (World Bank, 2023)
• Jordan: 11.0 million (World Bank, 2023)

Literacy rate

• Saudi Arabia: 95.4% (male); 94.6% (female) (UNESCO, 2018)
• Jordan: 90.6% (male); 86.6% (female) (UNESCO, 2018)

Youth population (15-24)

• Saudi Arabia: 20.3% (World Bank, 2023)
• Jordan: 26.4% (World Bank, 2023)

Geography and Climate

Area

• Saudi Arabia: 2,149,690 sq km
• Jordan: 89,342 sq km

Climate

• Saudi Arabia: Arid and hot in the east, mild in the west
• Jordan: Mediterranean in the west, arid and hot in the east

Tourism

Tourist arrivals

• Saudi Arabia: 12.0 million (WTTC, 2023)
• Jordan: 5.5 million (WTTC, 2023)

Top attractions

• Saudi Arabia: Makkah, Madinah, Al Ula, NEOM
• Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Jerash

Healthcare

Life expectancy

• Saudi Arabia: 75.5 years (WHO, 2020)
• Jordan: 75.7 years (WHO, 2020)

Number of hospitals

• Saudi Arabia: 347 (Ministry of Health, 2023)
• Jordan: 115 (Ministry of Health, 2023)

Doctor-to-population ratio

• Saudi Arabia: 1 doctor per 2,222 people (WHO, 2020)
• Jordan: 1 doctor per 4,734 people (WHO, 2020)

Education

Education expenditure as a % of GDP

• Saudi Arabia: 5.4% (UNESCO, 2020)
• Jordan: 4.5% (UNESCO, 2020)

Literacy rate

• Saudi Arabia: 95.4% (UNESCO, 2018)
• Jordan: 90.6% (UNESCO, 2018)

Number of universities

• Saudi Arabia: 39 (MoHE, 2023)
• Jordan: 29 (MoHE, 2023)

Infrastructure

Road network length

• Saudi Arabia: 194,000 km (Saudi Transport Commission, 2023)
• Jordan: 8,200 km (Jordan Highways Authority, 2023)

Number of airports

• Saudi Arabia: 27 (GACA, 2023)
• Jordan: 6 (JCAA, 2023)

Railway length

• Saudi Arabia: 2,750 km (SATOR, 2023)
• Jordan: 308 km (Jordan Railways, 2023)

Security and Stability

Global Peace Index ranking

• Saudi Arabia: 51 (GPI, 2023)
• Jordan: 122 (GPI, 2023)

Number of refugees

• Saudi Arabia: 281,216 (UNHCR, 2023)
• Jordan: 2.9 million (UNHCR, 2023)

Defense expenditure as a % of GDP

• Saudi Arabia: 5.6% (SIPRI, 2023)
• Jordan: 3.8% (SIPRI, 2023)

Stories of Success and Resilience

The Rise of NEOM

NEOM is a futuristic city being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is designed to be a hub for innovation, technology, and tourism. NEOM is expected to create millions of jobs and attract billions of dollars in investment.

The success of NEOM highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to diversifying its economy and creating a future beyond oil.

The Resilience of Jordan's Refugee Crisis

Jordan is home to over 2.9 million refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. Despite this challenge, Jordan has remained resilient and maintained its stability.

Jordan's success in managing the refugee crisis is a testament to the strength and resilience of its people and government.

The Power of Tourism in Petra

Petra is Jordan's most famous tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism has been a major driver of Jordan's economy, creating jobs and generating revenue.

The success of tourism in Petra demonstrates the power of cultural heritage as a force for economic development.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is not just an oil-rich country. It is a modern and dynamic society with a rapidly growing economy.
• Oversimplifying Jordan: Jordan is not just a country with refugees. It is a vibrant and diverse nation with a rich history and culture.
• Comparing the two countries directly: Saudi Arabia and Jordan are very different countries, with their own unique advantages and challenges. It is important to understand them on their own terms.

How to Step-by-Step Approach

1. Identify the specific aspects you want to compare between Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
2. Gather reliable data and information from reputable sources.
3. Analyze the data and identify key trends and differences.
4. Draw meaningful conclusions and avoid oversimplifying the comparison.
5. Be respectful of both countries and their people.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia and Jordan are two very different countries, but they both have their own strengths and challenges. By understanding the similarities and differences between them, we can gain a better appreciation for the complexities of the Middle East.

As both countries continue to develop and grow, we can expect to see even more positive stories of success and resilience in the years to come.

Call to Action

• Visit Saudi Arabia or Jordan to experience their unique cultures and attractions.
• Support organizations working to help refugees in Jordan.
• Learn more about the Middle East and its diverse people.

Further Reading

• The World Bank: Saudi Arabia
• The World Bank: Jordan
• The International Monetary Fund: Saudi Arabia
• The International Monetary Fund: Jordan
• The United Nations Development Programme: Saudi Arabia
• The United Nations Development Programme: Jordan

Tables

Table 1: Economic Indicators

Table 2: Population and Demographics

Table 3: Healthcare and Education