RIYADH: Jordan’s licensed construction activity rose in the first 11 months of 2025, with the total permitted building area increasing by 12.2 percent year on year, according to new data released by the Department of Statistics. 

The department said the cumulative licensed building area reached about 9.12 million sq. meters during the January–November span, compared with 8.13 million sq. meters in the same period of 2024. 

Construction activity is a key driver of Jordan’s domestic economy, contributing to job creation, private-sector investment, and urban development. 

The increase reflects stronger construction permitting activity despite month-to-month fluctuations during the year. 

The total number of building permits issued during the period rose to 23,204, up from 21,708 permits a year earlier, representing an increase of 6.9 percent. 

Licensed building areas grew by 6.6 percent in November compared with the same month of 2024, reaching 864,000 sq. meters. 

Residential construction continued to account for the majority of licensed building areas. The department reported that residential licensed areas totaled approximately 7.08 million sq. meters during the first 11 months of 2025, up from 6.51 million sq. meters in the same period of 2024, an increase of 8.8 percent. 

Licensed non-residential building areas rose more sharply, reaching about 2.03 million sq. meters, compared with around 1.61 million sq. meters a year earlier, marking a 26.1 percent increase. 

Overall, residential construction represented 77.7 percent of total licensed building areas during the period, while non-residential projects accounted for 22.3 percent. 

The Central Region dominated construction activity, accounting for 72 percent of Jordan’s total licensed building area during the first 11 months of 2025. 

The area also recorded a 7.5 percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. 

In contrast, the Northern Region’s share declined by 13.8 percent to 20 percent, while the Southern Region’s share fell by 18.4 percent to 8 percent. 

At the governorate level, the capital recorded the highest per capita share of licensed residential building area, at 13.3 percent, equivalent to 0.816 sq. meters per person. Zarqa registered the lowest share, at 4.5 percent, or 0.275 sq. meters per person, during the same period. 

The department noted that newly licensed buildings and additions to existing structures accounted for 64.8 percent of total licensed building area during the January–November period, while permits for existing buildings represented 35.2 percent. 

The total licensed area for new buildings and additions reached approximately 5.9 million sq. meters, compared with about 5.1 million sq. meters in the same period of 2024, reflecting a 15.7 percent increase. 

The department said building permit indicators provide a close reflection of actual construction activity, as permits correspond to projects that have received final approval to begin construction. 

The data is compiled monthly from licensing authorities, including the Greater Amman Municipality, local municipalities, joint services councils, the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. Government projects that do not require licensing are excluded.

According to the department, while design contracts and engineering plans may reflect future intentions, building permits remain a more reliable indicator of near-term construction activity, as some licensed projects may still be delayed or not completed.