Jordan minister: Syrian refugees stretching economy

About 500,000 Syrians have moved into Jordan's cities, putting a strain on schools and hospitals and increasing competition for jobs and property.

Each person costs the Jordanian economy an estimated $3,500 per year, so with an already-large budget deficit - how can it afford this growing cost?

Jordan's Minister of Planning & International Cooperation Dr Ibrahim Saif, told Middle East Business Report that the sudden 15% increase in population had left the economy and services "stretched to the maximum".