Jordan has consistently worked to strengthen its relationship with Jordanian expats through a range of initiatives aimed at preserving their connection to their homeland and encouraging their engagement in national development, these efforts provide an important foundation that can now be built upon by broadening the way we think about Jordanian expats, not simply as citizens living overseas, but as an extension of Jordan's talent, expertise, and global reach.

 

 

For many years, Jordanian expats have largely been viewed through the lens of remittances and their contribution to the national economy, while these financial transfers remain important, they represent only one part of a much larger opportunity, Jordanian expats also possess valuable knowledge, professional experience, international networks, entrepreneurial skills, and access to global markets, assets that can continue to create value for Jordan regardless of where they choose to live.

 

 

Realizing this opportunity begins with recognizing that Jordanian expats do not all share the same relationship with their homeland, many who have settled permanently in Western countries are unlikely to return, yet they remain well positioned to mentor entrepreneurs, support universities and research institutions, connect Jordanian businesses to international markets, and invest in promising ventures, others, particularly those working in the Gulf and the wider region, often continue to view Jordan as their long term home, they are more likely to educate their children in Jordan, invest in property, establish businesses, and eventually return after completing their careers abroad, both groups represent valuable national assets, but each requires a different approach to engagement.

 

 

Despite these differences, they share something equally important, a strong sense of belonging to Jordan, we see it during national celebrations, sporting achievements, and family gatherings, moments when distance seems to disappear and the connection to home becomes stronger than ever, one of the important lessons from the behavioral sciences is that this sense of belonging is a powerful source of motivation, but its value is realized only when it is matched with clear and meaningful opportunities to contribute, whether by mentoring a young entrepreneur, supporting a research project, introducing an investor, or helping a Jordanian business reach new markets, that is when belonging is transformed into national contribution.

 

 

Turning this potential into lasting contribution requires an effort that extends well beyond government institutions, government provides leadership and coordination, but universities can build research partnerships, professional associations can connect experts across borders, civil society organizations can strengthen relationships with younger generations, and the private sector can develop practical services that support investment, entrepreneurship, education, and future return, Ireland offers one successful example, where engagement with its diaspora has evolved beyond encouraging return to building lasting networks that support investment, innovation, education, and knowledge exchange, demonstrating that meaningful contribution does not depend on permanent return.

 

 

Countries today compete not only for investment, but also for talent, knowledge, and global networks, Jordan already possesses these assets in the hundreds of thousands of Jordanian expats living abroad, the real opportunity is not simply encouraging them to return, but creating the conditions that allow them to remain connected and continue contributing wherever they choose to live, success should therefore be measured not only by the number of Jordanians who come home, but also by the number who never stop helping to build the future of the country they still call home.

 

 

 

Zaid K.Maaytah is a researcher in economics and behavioral policy