DoS figures show rise in female-headed households

AMMAN — The rate of female-headed households increased from 12.3 per cent in 2000 to 15.7 per cent in 2019, according the Department of Statistics’ (DoS) figures.

In a statement marking the occasion of Mother’s Day, celebrated on March 21 every year, the DoS said that out of all age groups for women leading households, the percentage of women aged above 60 years is the highest, rising from 37.6 per cent in 2000 to 56.5 per cent in 2019, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Figures showed that 74.3 per cent of women leading their families in 2019 were widows, 12.7 per cent were married, 7.6 per cent were single, and 5.2 per cent were divorced.

The results of the 2000-2019 period showed improvement in the educational level of these women, with their illiteracy rates dropping from 47.1 per cent in 2000 to 31.1 per cent in 2019.

According to the DoS, the participation of women who head families in the labour market also went down from 8.8 per cent in 2000 to 5.7 per cent in 2019.

The DoS’ figures also revealed that the unemployment rate among women family heads dropped from 12.6 per cent in 2000 to 5.8 per cent in 2019 as three out of four families headed by women depend mainly on rent and remittances.