I have a minor quibble with the source you cited. Let's take a look at the per capita GDP's of a few countries: Haiti (poorest country in Western hemisphere) $1,600 Albania (poorest country in Europe) $4,500 Bhutan (poorest country in Asia?) $1,300 Liberia (arguably the poorest country in the world) $1,000 Bangladesh (symbol of poverty) $1,900 Characterizing Jordan as a middle-income country is playing a little fast and loose with the definition of middle. It's middle-income only in the sense that it's not the poorest in the world. Otherwise it's a poor country. And for Jordan to reduce the poverty rate they might considering educating more women and educating them better and (consequently) reducing their birth rate. Just a suggestion.