This paper uses a new and original dataset, the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey of 2010
(JLMPS 2010), to study migration and the labor market in Jordan. The paper documents the
characteristics of outward migration and describes both current Jordanian emigrants and
return migrants. It then compares immigrant workers to natives. Although The JLMPS 2010
underestimates both the number of emigrants and immigrants, it is still very useful in
describing the main patterns of Jordanian migration. The findings suggest that Jordan is
exporting high skilled workers but importing low skilled labor. There is evidence that
immigrant workers undercut Jordanian wages. However, immigrant workers are employed in
low skilled jobs in the informal sector with very little benefits or security. On the other hand,
Jordanian emigrants are able to earn at least four times the Jordanian wage and remit
substantial amounts thereby increasing the domestic reservation wages, which might have
given rise to the “Rentier State” phenomena.