The Government of Jordan adopted its first Poverty Alleviation Strategy in 2002 recognizing poverty as a key development problem requiring a comprehensive policy for improving the lives of the poor and socially excluded, increasing their human capabilities, providing them with economic opportunities and fully integrating them in the society. Considerable progress in poverty reduction has been achieved. The Government has put in place a series of social programs aimed at increasing employment opportunities, curbing unemployment, combating poverty and offering in-kind and cash assistance for the poor and marginalized groups within Jordanian society. These measures helped to reduce the incidence of absolute poverty (measured on a comparable basis)..