Amman, June 22 (Petra) – The number of Jordanian widows stands at
approximately 221,000, compared with fewer than 3,000 widowers,
according to Civil Status and Passports Department data cited by the
Higher Population Council.

In remarks marking International Widows Day, observed annually on
June 23, the council attributed the wide disparity to biological,
demographic, social, and legislative factors.

Women in Jordan have a higher life expectancy at birth, averaging 77
years compared with 73.8 years for men, according to the latest
Department of Statistics figures. The council said men also have
higher exposure to hazardous occupations, tobacco use, and high-risk
activities, contributing to higher mortality rates.

Age differences between spouses are another factor. Social norms
generally favor marriages in which the husband is older than the
wife, increasing the likelihood that women will outlive their
spouses. Larger age gaps may also result in earlier and longer
periods of widowhood.

Widows, particularly those with young children, face considerably
lower prospects of remarriage than widowers. The limited number of
older unmarried or widowed men further reduces remarriage
opportunities for women.

The council said improved maternal healthcare, fewer pregnancies, and
declining gender discrimination have also contributed to lower
mortality rates among women. It added that delayed marriage among
young men may widen age gaps between spouses, as men may marry
younger women to allow sufficient time for childbearing.

Legislation can also discourage remarriage, the council said. Under
existing regulations, a widow may lose a pension inherited from her
late husband or parents, or National Aid Fund assistance, if she
officially remarries.

The council called for increasing women’s economic participation and
Social Security Corporation coverage, while amending provisions that
encourage women to withdraw from social protection before qualifying
for lifelong pensions.

Expanding women’s social security coverage would help ensure
financial stability after widowhood, improve remarriage prospects,
reduce demand for public assistance, and strengthen the Social
Security Fund’s financial sustainability, it added.

//Petra// AO