Jordan Census

Middle East Jordan

Census records
Research use: These registers establish family groups and individual identity.

Record type: The British took censuses in 1922 and 1931, however, these were incomplete. The Jordanian government also took a census in 1952 which was incomplete. The first complete census was taken in 1961.

Time period: 1922 to the present.

Contents: The first censuses (1922-1952) listed only males, and the number in each household. After 1961 the registers list the names of all household members including children, sex, birth date, residence, age, religion, occupation, marital status, health status, military status.

Location: National Archives in Amman.

Population coverage: Early censuses less than 20%. Later censuses over 90%.

Reliability: Good.

Population registers [Nüfs]
Research use: These registers establish family groups and individual identity.

Record type: The Ottoman population registers were compiled in an initial census survey; thereafter vital information was added as births, marriages, and deaths occurred. Supplemental registration of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths were sometimes added to the register itself or sometimes compiled in separate registers.

Time period: 1883 to 1915.

Contents: The population registers list the names of household members including children, sex, birth date, residence, age, religion, craft or occupation, marital status, marriage date, health, military status. If deceased, the register provides the death date or crosses out the name of the deceased.

Location: National Archives in Amman and in Jerusalem.

Percentage in Family History Library: Less than 5%. The Library has registers from the Ottoman province of Palestine, including parts of Jordan.

Population coverage: About 80%. Remote areas may not be fully counted.

Reliability: Good, though the information may be incomplete due to inefficient bureaucracy and because of evasion to avoid conscription.