Jordan between ambition and fear: What does the GEM 2025 report tell us about the reality of entrepreneurship?

In a world of accelerating economic and technological transformation, entrepreneurship has become a key indicator of a society's strength and adaptability. But the most important question isn't: How many people want to be entrepreneurs? Rather, how many can actually start and sustain their businesses? The GEM 2025/2026 report provides a detailed picture of this reality in Jordan, revealing a striking paradox that warrants further examination. The Entrepreneurial Paradox in Jordan: High Potential… but a Weak Start According to the report, Jordanians possess a high level of confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities: • Around 70% of adults believe they have the skills and experience to start a business. • More than half the population knows someone who has recently started a business. • Nearly 60% see good opportunities to start a business in their environment. However, despite these positive indicators, a clear gap exists in the transition to action: • Only about 1 in 10 adults are actively involved in starting or managing a new business. • And less than 1 in 20 own an existing business. This gap does not reflect a lack of ambition, but rather points to real obstacles preventing the transition from intention to implementation. The Fear of Failure: The Biggest Barrier One of the most striking findings of the report is the growing fear factor. 59% of people who see good opportunities do not start businesses due to fear of failure. This figure cannot be ignored. This means that more than half of the potential opportunities in the market go untapped, not due to a lack of ideas, but rather a heightened perception of risk. • Entrepreneurship driven by necessity rather than opportunity Given the economic challenges, entrepreneurial motivations in Jordan are increasingly driven by necessity. More than 80% of new entrepreneurs start their businesses motivated by: • Securing income due to job scarcity • Or achieving a higher income The report also indicates that: • More than half the population experienced a decrease in their income during 2025 This context explains why businesses tend to be small, quick to launch, but less capable of growth and sustainability. • Decline in Entrepreneurial Intention and Activity Other worrying indicators include: • A decrease in the percentage of those intending to start a business within three years from over 50% to approximately 40% • A decrease in the percentage of participants in early-stage entrepreneurship from 2 out of 10 to 1 out of 10 This decline reflects a more cautious, and perhaps more complex, environment for new entrepreneurs. Positive Signs Worth Building On Despite the challenges, the landscape is not without promising indicators: • Nearly 20% of entrepreneurs have clients outside Jordan • More than 25% expect to employ 6 or more people within 5 years • More than a third of projects are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact • More than two-thirds of entrepreneurs prioritize social and environmental impact over profitability These figures point to a new generation of globally minded projects that balance profit and impact and possess ambition for growth. Where Does the Real Gap Lie? The report doesn't suggest a lack of ideas or talent, but rather clearly points to challenges in the supporting environment, such as: • Limited access to funding • Weaknesses in some elements of the entrepreneurial ecosystem • The need to develop education and digital skills In other words, the problem isn't with the people, but with the system surrounding them. What Do We Need Today? What emerges from this analysis is that Jordan stands at a crucial crossroads: • It possesses a qualified workforce • A growing awareness of opportunities • And successful, replicable experiences However, translating this potential into tangible results requires a more enabling environment—one that helps individuals mitigate risks, acquire skills, and transform their ideas into viable projects. In such a context, initiatives that empower individuals, build their capabilities, and connect them with real market opportunities become essential components of any healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. Ultimately, Jordan may not need more entrepreneurs, but rather more environments and initiatives that help them become entrepreneurs.