Safest cities in Jordan
8 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Jordan-Syria border
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in JordanIn the context of regional escalation, Iran-aligned militia groups have threatened to target US interests across the region, have claimed attacks in Jordan and are likely to continue to carry out these attacks in Jordan.
Political situation
- The political situation in Jordan is stable but sometimes there are protests in Amman and other cities. You should stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Demonstrations and mass gatherings
- On 23 June 2026, large crowds gathered to watch Jordan’s national team play in the 2026 World Cup. One person died and eight were injured in downtown Amman at a public screening of the match.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsCrime levels are generally low, but there is a risk of pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from cars. Stay alert and keep your money, passport and valuables secure.
- Methanol poisoningThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
- Sexual assaultTake care when walking or travelling alone. Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as you would in the UK. See advice for women travelling abroad.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDThe police carry out random security checks. Keep ID (passport or driving licence) with you to show at checkpoints.
- Alcohol lawsIt’s illegal to drink alcohol on the street, but you can drink in bars, clubs, hotels and private homes.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesIt is illegal to possess, use or traffic drugs. If convicted, you can get a lengthy prison sentence and heavy fine.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual relations are not illegal, but same-sex couples showing affection in public may cause offence. You could be arrested under other Jordanian laws. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
- Unmarried couples living togetherIt is socially unacceptable for unmarried foreign couples to live together. Some landlords may ask if you are married or request a marriage certificate.
- Converting people to ChristianityIt is illegal to encourage someone to convert to Christianity. You could face a prison sentence or a fine.
- Visiting PetraThe Petra Archaeological Park has strict visitor opening and closing hours. You risk arrest and prosecution if you are in the park outside of these hours. Tourists have been locked in Petra overnight.
- MoneyCash machines are only widely available in Amman and other major towns and cities. Most places accept card payments.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Tour operatorsThe quality of tour operators providing outdoor activities varies. A list of all tour operators is available on the Visit Jordan website. Research tour operators and choose one with suitable safety mitigations and insurance in place.
- Visiting wadisThere are around 80 wadis (valleys) in Jordan. During the rainy season from November to March there’s a risk of flash floods. Before travelling to a wadi, you should:
- Scuba diving and snorkellingSafety standards of diving operators in Aqaba can vary. You should:
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Jordan, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving standardsDriving standards differ from those in the UK. Stray animals, broken-down vehicles and unmarked roadworks are common. There have been fatal accidents on the Desert Highway. Drive with care at night and avoid unlit roads.
- Rules of the roadIf you have an accident, do not leave the scene before the police arrive and take a statement. Call 911 to contact police.
- Driving in winterHeavy snow can trap vehicles and block mountain roads, including around Petra. Take care and follow local restrictions.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingIn the rainy season from November to March, the Jordanian government sometimes issues flood alerts, particularly along the Jordan Valley. Flood alerts can cause diversions and road closures, affecting drivers and hikers. There is a risk of flash flooding. Be alert to advisories and co-operate with the authorities.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Jordan, updated 2026-08-25 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.84 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 33.72010
- Human development
- HDI 0.7542023
- Income
- $12,440/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 17.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 60/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 60/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 50/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 4.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.69GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 32.6 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 89%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 2.9 doctors /1k1.4 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 7.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 6.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Jordan (as of 2025).
How Jordan compares
| Measure | Jordan | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.5 /100k — better for Jordan |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 33.7 | 35.2 | −1.5 — better for Jordan |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.754 | 0.763 | −0.009 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 17.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +1.6 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 52/100 | +8/100 — better for Jordan |
| Corruption perceptions | 50/100 | 39/100 | +11/100 — better for Jordan |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 32.6 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +12.9 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.1/10 | 3.8/10 | +0.3/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Jordan | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 1.8 /100k | −0.9 /100k — better for Jordan |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 33.7 | 33.4 | +0.3 — better for Asia median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.754 | 0.771 | −0.017 — better for Asia median |
| Road deaths | 17.0 /100k | 14.9 /100k | +2.1 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 52/100 | +8/100 — better for Jordan |
| Corruption perceptions | 50/100 | 35/100 | +16/100 — better for Jordan |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 32.6 µg/m³ | 26.7 µg/m³ | +5.9 µg/m³ — better for Asia median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.1/10 | 3.6/10 | +0.5/10 — better for Asia median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.