The freelance economy has become an essential part of the modern economy.
Developing digital skills is essential to keep pace with labor market changes.
Jordan has the potential to become a hub for digital services.
Economic experts have confirmed that the “Tawasul 2026” forum, organized by the Crown Prince Foundation under the slogan “Visions for Tomorrow’s Opportunities”, represents an advanced national model in anticipating upcoming economic and technological transformations, and reflects the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, in building a generation capable of adapting to the new global economy and creating future opportunities.
Experts pointed out that the forum's focus on the "freelance economy" reflects an advanced understanding of the transformations taking place in the global labor market, where flexible work models, remote work, and the digital economy have become a major part of the modern economy, especially among young people.
On Saturday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein participated in a dialogue session as part of the “Tawasul 2026” forum, on the impact of using artificial intelligence technologies on the productivity of sectors.
During his intervention in a session of the forum held by the Crown Prince Foundation under his patronage, His Highness stressed the importance of keeping pace with technological developments that employ artificial intelligence as a key driver of efficiency and productivity.
His Highness the Crown Prince stressed the need to create applications that employ artificial intelligence in the public and private sectors, explaining the importance of the new generation of artificial intelligence in raising performance efficiency.
His Highness pointed to the importance of developing national programs, especially educational ones, to keep pace with global modernization by utilizing qualified talents in the Kingdom.
The forum included an interactive exhibition highlighting the Crown Prince Foundation’s journey and its role in emulating the aspirations of young people in shaping the future and showcasing their successes and contributions to national development, through its 27 affiliated sites in various regions of the Kingdom.
The forum, entitled “Visions for Tomorrow’s Opportunities,” also included panel discussions that addressed a variety of topics, such as digital media, economics, programming, and opportunities in emerging technology sectors.
Financial and economic expert Dr. Mohammed Al-Hadab affirmed that the “Tawasul 2026” forum, organized by the Crown Prince Foundation under the slogan “Visions for Tomorrow’s Opportunities”, represents an advanced national model in anticipating upcoming economic and technological transformations, and reflects the vision of His Highness Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, in building a generation capable of adapting to the new global economy and creating future opportunities.
Al-Hadab explained that the importance of the forum lies not only in its being a dialogue platform, but also in its transformation into a national space for generating ideas and connecting young people with decision-makers and experts, which enhances the culture of dialogue and planning for the future, especially in light of the rapid transformations that the world is witnessing in the fields of artificial intelligence, the digital economy, freelance work, and technology.
He pointed out that the choice of the slogan “Visions for Tomorrow’s Opportunities” reflects an important shift in development thinking, as future opportunities are no longer linked only to traditional jobs or classic sectors, but have become dependent on innovation, digital skills, and the ability to adapt to the new global economy.
Al-Hadab explained that the forum’s focus on the “freelance economy” reflects an advanced understanding of the transformations taking place in the global labor market, where flexible work models, remote work, and the digital economy have become a major part of the modern economy, especially among young people.
He explained that the size of the digital economy and freelance work globally has exceeded $5 trillion, while the contribution of the digital economy is expected to rise to more than 15% of the global GDP in the coming years, reflecting the magnitude of the transformation the world is witnessing in the nature of work and production.
Al-Hadab pointed out that Jordan has a real opportunity to benefit from these transformations, especially since young people under the age of 35 constitute approximately 63% of the population, in addition to the high rate of internet penetration of more than 90%, and the growing use of digital services and electronic payment.
He added that these data give Jordan a suitable basis for developing a more flexible digital economy, capable of creating new job opportunities, especially in light of unemployment rates that are around 21% to 22%, and are even higher among young people.
Al-Hadab stressed that sectors such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, content creation, and technical and consulting services have become real economic opportunities for Jordanian youth, especially with the ability to access global markets and work remotely without geographical restrictions.
He pointed out that international experiences have proven the ability of the freelance economy to support economic growth and create job opportunities, as India has become one of the largest exporters of digital services with revenues exceeding $250 billion annually, while the Philippines has become a global hub for freelance and digital services, which has contributed to creating millions of job opportunities and boosting foreign currency flows.
Al-Hadab explained that Jordan possesses the human and educational resources that qualify it to benefit from this transformation, especially with the positive reputation of Jordanian talent in the technology, education, and professional services sectors, which opens the door to increasing digital service exports and attracting foreign currencies.
He explained that the expansion of the digital economy and freelance work could add between 1 and 1.5 percentage points to economic growth rates in emerging economies in the medium term, especially if it is accompanied by the development of digital skills and the strengthening of the entrepreneurial environment.
Al-Hadab stressed that the “Tawasul” forum reflects a strategic vision led by His Highness the Crown Prince based on investing in people, youth, and knowledge, as they are the basic pillars of the future economy, explaining that the forum does not only discuss the challenges of the present, but also tries to read the shape of the future global economy and Jordan’s position in it.
He pointed out that the importance of the forum also lies in building a collective national awareness of upcoming global transformations, and linking young people to the paths of economic, political and administrative modernization, which enhances their ability to move from being recipients of change to active partners in creating it.
Al-Hadab added that the success of this transformation requires the development of more flexible legislation, especially with regard to social protection, social security, and taxes, along with greater investment in training, digital skills, English language, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Al-Hadab concluded by emphasizing that “Tawasul 2026” is not just a dialogue forum, but a strategic message that confirms that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and with the support and follow-up of His Highness the Crown Prince, is working early to prepare its youth and economy to deal with upcoming global transformations and turn them into opportunities for growth and sustainable development in the coming years.
Economist Wajdi Makhameh pointed out that freelancing has become a structural shift in global and local labor markets, driven by digital technology and local and regional platforms. Furthermore, freelancing is no longer a peripheral activity, but rather an essential part of the modern economy, especially for young people.
Makhamra added that the most prominent indications of freelance work and its importance lie in providing flexibility and balance between life and work, so that it allows the worker to choose working hours, suitable projects, and the work location, which may be remote, which is suitable for young people who are studying, or who have family obligations, or who wish to avoid the traditional daily routine, and this would enhance personal satisfaction and productivity.
He pointed out that another indication is the diversification of income sources. Instead of relying on a single salary, one can combine several projects or platforms, which reduces risks and increases potential income, especially for digital, creative, programming, marketing, and design skills.
He added that self-employment offers opportunities for young people and marginalized groups. In Jordan and the region, where youth unemployment (aged 15-24) is extremely high, reaching 40-46% or more according to some reports, it represents a quick entry into the job market without the need for a government job or a large company. It is also suitable for women due to the flexibility it offers, and for degree holders who face a skills gap with the job market.
It also contributes to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, transforming individuals into small businesses, developing multiple skills, and contributing to the digital and creative economy. It also helps companies save costs and increases overall economic flexibility.
Makhameh added that self-employment has a positive impact on unemployment and the economic situation, as it absorbs a portion of structural unemployment, particularly among educated youth. Some studies also indicate that it reduces reliance on unemployment benefits and provides additional income, thus alleviating debt pressures and poverty rates. Furthermore, it contributes to GDP growth and the potential for job creation and increased GDP in some countries, while also promoting economic inclusion for vulnerable groups.
He added: “If we take the case of Jordan, it is seen as a solution to high unemployment, and it encourages a culture of creating opportunities instead of waiting for a traditional job.”
As for the challenges and disadvantages, Makhameh explained that self-employment is characterized by instability in terms of fluctuating income, lack of guaranteed continuous work, and lack of social protection in terms of health insurance, retirement, and vacations.
Makhameh concluded by saying that freelance work is not a complete replacement for traditional employment, but rather a complement or parallel path that enhances flexibility and growth in the digital economy. It is of great importance in Jordan, but it needs some forms of support, such as flexible legislation, expanded social protection, digital skills training, tax incentives, and the presence of local platforms.
Economic expert Munir Diya said that in light of the changes that have occurred in the labor market, and the entry of many economic sectors that rely mainly on individual skills and various digital applications, it has become necessary to pay attention to the freelance economy and to develop economic and educational policies that are appropriate to the requirements of this type of work.
He pointed out that the Jordanian labor market, with the introduction of many new professions related to artificial intelligence and modern electronic applications, needs today to develop policies and strategies to develop education curricula to keep pace with these developments, which will contribute to raising employment rates, reducing unemployment rates, and increasing demand for new job opportunities, thus raising the contribution of new graduates to the labor market.
Diya pointed out that keeping pace with the rapid developments in the labor market, and amending legislation and regulations in line with those trends, will open up opportunities for young people to establish their own businesses and integrate into the labor market quickly and at lower costs.
— Opinion