The poll was carried out in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over two samples chosen in accordance with statistical standards: a national sample and a public opinion leaders sample. The national sample consisted of 830 individuals representing Jordanians 19 years of age and over drawn from all the country’s 12 governorates, and the public opinion leaders sample consisted of 695 individuals including political figures, such as former and serving senators and deputies, former ministers and secretaries general of ministries, leaders of political parties and unions, business persons, journalists, writers, artists, and university students and professors.

This poll is a follow up to the two polls conducted by the Center in June 2000 and October 2000, the overall results of which serve as a measure of public opinion on the ability of the government to assume responsibilities at each stage.

Summary of Poll Results

• 23% of the national sample respondents and 23.2% of the public opinion leaders respondents believed that since its formation the government was capable to a great extent to shoulder its responsibilities.

• 25.1% of the national sample respondents and 26.3% of the public opinion leaders felt that the prime minister has succeeded in carrying out his responsibilities.

• 9.9% of the national sample respondents and 5.7% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government has succeeded to a large extent in addressing the country's economic problems.

• 17.5% of the national sample respondents and 8.4% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government has succeeded to a large extent in fighting corruption.

• 23.8% of the national sample respondents and 15.9% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government has succeeded to a large extent in allowing wider public freedoms.

• 56.1% of the national sample respondents and 44.7% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government will ultimately succeed in alleviating the country’s economic problems.

• 55.5% of the national sample respondents and 39.6% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government will ultimately succeed in fighting corruption.

• 58.4% of the national sample respondents and 52.6% of the opinion leaders sample felt that the government will ultimately succeed in allowing wider public freedoms.

• When asked about the project of making the Aqaba area a special economic area, 22.5% of the national sample respondents and 5.1% of the opinion leaders sample responded that they have never heard of the project.

• Among the national sample respondents 31.6%, 22.8% and 17.6% were optimistic that the Aqaba economic area would help to a great extent to ease the country's economic problems, decrease unemployment, and attract $7 billion, respectively. Among the public opinion leaders sample the percentage of optimism on the same topics was 25.9%, 15.3%, and 12.9% respectively.

• 54.9% of the national sample respondents and 60.5% of the public opinion leaders agreed that foreign investment will be the largest type of investment if the project directors succeed in attracting it.

• 61.1% of the national sample respondents and 60.8% of the public opinion leaders responded that tourism will get the largest portion of investments if the project directors succeed.

• 20.8% of the national sample respondents and 68.6% of the public opinion leaders felt that there are some obstacles that might block the success of the project.

36% of the public opinion leaders sample found administrative and legal obstacles to be the main obstacles blocking the success of the project, while 29.3% of the opinion leaders found economic and service sector obstacles to be the main obstacles.