Omar Razzaz
Who was Omar Razzaz?
Economist and former World Bank official who served as Prime Minister of Jordan from 2018 to 2020.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Omar Razzaz (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Omar Razzaz, born on May 17, 1961, in Al-Salt, Jordan, is a Jordanian politician, economist, and academic. He was the 42nd Prime Minister of Jordan from June 14, 2018, to October 12, 2020, assuming office during a time of significant social and economic challenges in the country. Before becoming prime minister, he had a successful career in academia, international development, and public service, known for his technocratic approach in Jordanian politics.
Razzaz received his education in the United States at Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This education influenced his approach to governance and public policy, especially in economics, development, and institutional reform. Before entering Jordanian politics at the ministerial level, he spent several years at the World Bank, working on development economics and policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
On January 4, 2017, he joined the Jordanian cabinet as Minister of Education under Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki, where he initiated reforms in the national education system. His work in education raised his profile considerably, and when widespread protests arose in Jordan in mid-2018 against proposed tax laws and IMF-backed austerity measures, Prime Minister Al-Mulki resigned. King Abdullah II then appointed Razzaz to form a new government, which he did on June 5, 2018. He was confirmed as prime minister on June 14, 2018.
As prime minister, Razzaz tackled the challenge of addressing public dissatisfaction with economic issues, unemployment, and the conditions tied to Jordan's relationship with the International Monetary Fund. He also served as Minister of Defense while leading the government, dealing with regional tensions, the Syrian displacement crisis, and, in the final months, the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, which strained Jordan's finances and healthcare system.
Razzaz's government ended on October 12, 2020, when he resigned and was succeeded by Omar Khasawneh. His time in office aimed to balance fiscal reform with social stability, although critics noted that economic issues remained unresolved. He remains an important figure in modern Jordanian politics, known for his technocratic and reform-focused governance.
Before Fame
Omar Razzaz was born in Al-Salt, one of Jordan's oldest cities, on 17 May 1961. He started school in Amman and later went abroad for higher education. He attended top schools in the United States, including Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied law, economics, and public policy during the 1980s and early 1990s.
After his studies, Razzaz joined the World Bank as an economist and policy specialist, focusing on development issues in the Arab world. This experience gave him insight into international financial institutions, governance reform, and the economic challenges facing countries in the region. His work at the World Bank, along with his academic background, made him a respected voice on economic development and helped him move into Jordanian public life.
Key Achievements
- Served as the 42nd Prime Minister of Jordan from June 2018 to October 2020
- Formed a new government in June 2018 to stabilize the country following widespread public protests against austerity policies
- Served concurrently as Minister of Defense throughout his entire premiership
- Previously served as Minister of Education under Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki beginning in January 2017
- Held a senior position at the World Bank, contributing to development policy in the Middle East and North Africa
Did You Know?
- 01.Razzaz holds advanced degrees from three separate elite American institutions: Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- 02.He took office as prime minister after his predecessor Hani Al-Mulki resigned in June 2018 following mass protests against a proposed income tax law seen as particularly burdensome to middle-class Jordanians.
- 03.Throughout his entire term as prime minister, Razzaz simultaneously held the portfolio of Minister of Defense, making him one of the few Jordanian heads of government to personally oversee both roles at once.
- 04.He was born in Al-Salt, a city known for its Ottoman-era architecture and recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its culture of tolerance and urban hospitality.
- 05.His government oversaw Jordan's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included one of the region's earlier and stricter lockdown measures introduced in March 2020.