Amman, May 3 (Petra) --The Higher Council for Population (HPC) has released an analysis that moves beyond annual registration numbers to examine the "ever-married" status of the Jordanian population.

This metric offers a clearer view of long-term social health by looking at everyone who has entered into a marriage contract at any point in their lives, including those currently married, divorced, or widowed.

The data shows that while 67.3% of women and 56.9% of men over the age of 15 have a history of marriage, these figures rise dramatically to nearly 96% by the age of 75, suggesting that marriage remains a nearly universal life milestone in Jordan despite changing economic conditions.

One of the most significant takeaways from the report is the deconstruction of the myth surrounding polygamy in the Kingdom. The data confirms that multiple-spouse households are a statistical rarity, involving only 1.3% of married men – roughly 39,000 individuals.

The HPC notes that a dominant social pattern has emerged where second marriages are often preceded by the divorce of the first spouse, effectively maintaining a monogamous household structure for the vast majority of the population.

The report also sheds light on a stark demographic imbalance in the senior population regarding widowhood. While only 1% of men over 60 are widowers, a staggering 42% of women in the same age group are widows. This massive disparity, represented by roughly 221,000 widows compared to just 3,000 widowers, is attributed to a complex mix of biological longevity, social customs regarding age gaps in marriage, and legislative factors.

These insights are vital for policymakers as they signal a growing need for social support systems tailored specifically toward aging women in the Kingdom.

//Petra// AA