Economic sustainability in Jordan: a comparative machine learning analysis of current economic growth drivers

This study explores the roles of health, education, energy use, and exports in driving economic growth in Jordan, with a comparative perspective on high-income countries (HICs). By applying a gradient boosting machine learning model, we identify the relative importance of these factors and employ curve-fitting techniques to project growth trajectories. Our findings show that Jordan’s economic growth is strongly influenced by export-led policies and demographic factors, whereas HICs primarily benefit from investments in education and workforce skills. These results provide insights for policymakers on balancing short-term needs with long-term resilience. For Jordan, a focus on export-driven strategies, coupled with population management, offers a pathway to sustainable growth. This study provides Jordanian policymakers with actionable insights for tailoring economic policies that align with the unique socioeconomic dynamics of the region, fostering adaptive and context-sensitive development.