AMMAN — The number of registered refugees and asylum seekers in Jordan fell to 419,950 by the end of March, down from 426,931 in February, marking a 1.64 per cent decrease, according to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

 

The figures show that the majority of refugees, 336,912 people, or 80.2 per cent, live in urban areas, while 83,038, or 19.8 per cent, reside in camps, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

 

Young adults aged 18–35 make up the largest demographic group, totalling 116,931 individuals (27.8 per cent). Children aged 5–11 account for 90,244 (21.5 per cent), followed by those aged 36–59 at 78,468 (18.7 per cent). Children under five number 51,258 (12.2 per cent), while 17,502 refugees are aged 60 and above (4.2 per cent).

 

In terms of gender distribution, males constitute 195,399 individuals (46.5 per cent), while females account for 207,049 (49.3 per cent). Older persons represent 4.2 per cent of the total population.

 

Syrian refugees form the overwhelming majority at 396,640 (94.4 per cent). Iraqis number 12,242 (2.9 per cent), followed by Yemenis at 6,105 (1.5 per cent) and Sudanese at 4,249 (1 per cent), in addition to smaller numbers of other nationalities.

 

The data indicate that 101,002 refugees (24.1 per cent) require some form of protection or assistance. Among them, 58,775 suffer from serious medical conditions and 42,937 live with disabilities, alongside vulnerable groups including children, women and the elderly.

 

Refugee arrivals peaked in 2013, when 110,135 individuals were recorded. Numbers have declined significantly in recent years, with 62 refugees registered in 2025 and just seven in 2026 by the end of March.

 

Geographically, refugees are concentrated in Amman, which hosts 144,010 individuals (34.3 per cent), followed by Irbid with 70,361 (16.8 per cent) and Mafraq with 52,230 (12.4 per cent). Zaatari camp houses 49,466 refugees, while Azraq camp accommodates 33,419.