Latest news with #DepartmentOfStatistics
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Licensed buildings area rises by 20.6 % in early 2025 — DoS
AMMAN — Licensed building areas in the Kingdom reached 3.983 million square metres in the first five months of 2025, marking a 20.6 per cent increase compared with 3.303 million square metres during the same period in 2024, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Thursday. According to the department's latest monthly report on urban activity, the number of building permits also rose to 9,585 from 8,714 permits in the corresponding period of last year, marking an annual increase of 10 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Residential building areas accounted for the majority of licensed space, totalling 2.981 million square metres, up by 102.6 per cent from 2.647 million square metres during the same period last year. Non-residential building areas witnessed a sharper rise, surging by 52.7 per cent to reach 1.002 million square metres, compared with 656,000 square metres in 2024. According to the DoS report, residential projects represented 74.9 per cent of the total licensed area, while non-residential buildings comprised 25.1 per cent. At the regional level, the central region remained dominant in terms of construction activity, accounting for 72.2 per cent of licensed areas, registering an increase of 4.9 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. The northern region accounted for 19.2 per cent, an increase of 4.9 per cent, while the southern region accounted for 8.6 per cent, marking a decrease of 1.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. Regarding the per capita share of licensed residential areas, Amman Governorate recorded the highest percentage at 13 per cent, with an area of 0.338 square metres per individual in the governorate. Mafraq Governorate recorded the lowest share of new licensed residential areas with 3.4 per cent, with an area of 0.086 square metres in the first five months of 2025. Regarding permits by building type, licensed areas for new buildings and additions to existing ones represented 65.4 per cent of the total licensed building area, while licensed areas for existing buildings accounted for 34.6 per cent during the same period. The report also showed that the total licensed area for new buildings and additions to existing ones amounted to some 2.606 million square metres, compared with about 2.153 million square metres during the same period in 2024, marking an increase of 21 per cent. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Inflation in Jordan rises 1.98% in H1 2025
AMMAN — The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, reached 112.55 points for the first half of 2025, compared with 110.36 points for the same period last year, marking an increase of 1.98 per cent, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Thursday. When comparing the cumulative CPI for the first half of this year with the same period in 2024, the index for personal luggage rose by 20.08 per cent, and tobacco and cigarettes by 12.61 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported, citing DoS monthly report. The index for fruits and nuts also went up by 8.50 per cent, tea, coffee, and cocoa by 7.42 per cent, and spices, food enhancers and other food products by 5.37 per cent. According to the report, the general CPI for June 2025 reached 112.98 points, compared with 110.74 for the same month in 2024, marking an increase of 2.02 per cent. The rise in the June 2025 CPI compared with June 2024 was mainly driven by increases in the personal luggage group, tobacco and cigarettes, fruits and nuts, tea, coffee, and cocoa, as well as spices, food enhancers, and other food items. On the other hand, a decline in furniture, carpets and bedding, household tools, fish and seafood, and household appliances helped offset the overall increase. The CPI for June 2025 also rose slightly from May 2025, up from 112.77 to 112.98 points, marking an increase of 0.19 per cent. The main groups contributing to this monthly rise were communications, rent, personal luggage, meat and poultry, and fish and seafood. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
This is for you, too — Ng Yi Xuan
JULY 8 — 'What if your elderly mother fell in her bedroom, or the bathroom, and no one found out until hours later?' Yes, it's a painful scenario, but one that happens far too often in Malaysia. Whether in care homes or living alone, many older adults face real safety risks due to limited monitoring and delayed response. While our culture emphasises filial piety and respect for elders, the reality is that as more Malaysians live and work in cities, many ageing parents are left behind or placed in increasingly crowded care facilities. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the country is expected to become an aged nation by 2044, with 14 per cent of the population aged 65 and above. That might seem distant, but the effects are already here. The number of elderly citizens is growing steadily, and with that comes a rising demand for healthcare, personal assistance, and institutional care. More and more families are struggling to balance work responsibilities with caring for ageing parents or grandparents, while hospitals and care homes are becoming overstretched. Yet within this demographic challenge lies an opportunity: one that calls for empathy, innovation, and collaboration. As a biomedical engineering student, I believe we must approach this issue not just as a healthcare concern, but as a matter of dignity and human rights. This is where technology, specifically sensor-based solutions, can quietly and respectfully make a difference. In the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) project of our elective course, my team and I proposed a sensor-based system designed specifically for elderly care homes. Our goal was to detect critical events such as falls or irregular activity patterns, and to alert caregivers instantly. We wanted to offer a way to reduce silent suffering and give caregivers a tool to act faster and more efficiently, without invading the elderly's privacy or sense of autonomy. Many older Asian adults fear becoming a burden. They value their independence and routine. By integrating sensors subtly into everyday environments, we can help them maintain those values while still offering families and care workers peace of mind. A fall detected within seconds can make the difference between recovery and long-term injury. Irregular movement patterns could indicate early signs of cognitive decline. These small insights could save lives. The sensors we proposed are non-invasive, meaning they do not require the person to wear a specialised device or be constantly under video surveillance. Instead, they track motion, heart rate, or pressure to help identify risky situations like someone getting out of bed at night and not returning, or a sudden loss of movement that might indicate a fall. These infrared- or Bluetooth-based systems can be embedded subtly into furniture or walls, making them invisible companions in daily life. More than just technical skills, this PBL project deepened my understanding of what it means to grow old in Malaysia. Many of us assume that elders will always have someone there to look after them. But not everyone has that support — and even those who do may still face risks when left alone. The question we asked ourselves throughout this project was: How can we help elderly Malaysians live safely, without losing their sense of independence? This experience reshaped how I view my role as a biomedical engineer. It is not just about circuits, codes, or clinical tools. It is about empathy-driven innovation. It is about creating technology that responds to real needs, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly. As I look ahead to my future career, I now see biomedical engineering not only as a technical field, but as a social one. One where engineers must walk hand-in-hand with caregivers, healthcare workers, and families to build solutions that work for people — not just in theory, but in everyday life. An older adult woman reads the menu at a community food center, part of the Family Attention System (SAF), in Havana, on May 26, 2025. — AFP We often talk about 'smart cities' and 'digital futures,' but if we forget our elderly in these conversations, then we have missed the point entirely. Growing old is a natural part of life. But the experience of ageing should not be defined by fear, neglect, or silence. It should be marked by safety, respect, and dignity. So, here is my hope: that as Malaysia steps forward into its ageing future, we also step up — students, engineers, policymakers, and citizens — to ensure that no one is left behind. We must invest in elder-friendly technologies, support care infrastructure, and most importantly, talk openly about what it means to age with grace. After all, we are not just building tools for someone else's parents or grandparents. One day, it will be us. * Ng Yi Xuan is a final year biomedical engineering student at Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. She can be contacted at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan records trade surplus with 10 Arab countries in first third of 2025
AMMAN — Jordan's trade balance recorded a surplus with 10 member states of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) during the first third of 2025, reflecting the Kingdom's efforts to boost its economic presence in Arab markets. This positive performance aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) and highlights the growing competitiveness of Jordanian exports across the region, alongside the expansion of its trade partnerships, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. According to the Department of Statistics' (DoS) figures, Jordan's national exports to the GAFTA countries rose by 19.6 per cent in the first four months of the year; reaching JD1.117 billion, up from JD934 million during the same period in 2024. Imports from GAFTA countries also increased, totalling JD1.822 billion, compared with JD1.575 billion in the same period last year, showing an increase of 15.7 per cent. The GAFTA countries ranked as Jordan's top trading partners during this period, accounting for 40.6 per cent of the Kingdom's total national exports. Despite the overall trade deficit with the GAFTA bloc widening to JD705 million, compared with JD641 million in the same period last year, Jordan still achieved a trade surplus with 10 member countries: Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya and Morocco. On the other hand, the trade balance showed a deficit with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia and Sudan. Saudi Arabia remained Jordan's largest export destination within the GAFTA bloc, with exports valued at JD338 million, up 23.4 per cent from the same period last year. Iraq followed with JD273 million in exports, marking a 17.7 per cent increase, while Jordanian exports to Syria surged by 453.8 per cent, reaching JD72 million. Saudi Arabia also topped the list of Jordan's import sources, with goods valued at JD993 million. This resulted in a JD655 million trade deficit with the Kingdom's largest regional partner. Jordan's exports to the GAFTA countries are mainly consisted of fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, salts, skincare products, food preparations, furniture, textiles, clothing and paints. Imports from the GAFTA countries include crude oil and its derivatives, jewellery, food products, plastic sheets and panels, titanium oxide, polyethylene, polystyrene, iron and related goods. GAFTA, which entered into force in January 2005, is a trade agreement aimed at fostering economic integration among Arab states through low-tariff trade. The bloc currently includes 18 member countries, Petra added.
Zawya
04-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan records $241mln trade surplus with US in first third of 2025
AMMAN — Jordan's trade balance with the United States on Wednesday posted a surplus of JD171 million during the first third of the year, according to figures released by the Department of Statistics (DoS). Data on foreign trade, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, showed that national exports to the US rose to JD701 million in the first four months of 2025, up from JD656 million during the same period last year, with an increase of 6.9 per cent. Imports from the US market also surged, reaching JD530 million compared with JD404 million for the same period in 2024, marking a 31.2 per cent rise. The total trade volume between the two countries climbed to JD1.231 billion, up from JD1.060 billion year-on-year, according to Petra. Jordan's exports to the US accounted for 25.5 per cent of the Kingdom's total national exports during the reporting period. Jordan's "key" exports to the US market included apparel and related items, fertilisers, chemical products, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, food and animal products, IT services, and engineering industries. Imports from the US included metal products, transport equipment, machinery and electrical devices, grains, chemicals, medical equipment, food industry products, animal products, furniture, ironware, used clothing, vegetable oils and fats, and wood products. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
