Nearly 2 million Israelis live in poverty, including 880,000 children, official report shows

Nearly two million people in Israel, including approximately 880,000 children, are living below the poverty line, according to official data released Friday in the country’s 2024 Poverty Report. The National Insurance Institute findings highlight a deepening social crisis fueled by ongoing war, rising living costs, and sluggish economic growth.

Child Poverty and Economic Hardship

Child poverty is projected at 28%, up from 27.6% in 2023, with nearly one million children experiencing food insecurity. The report warned that children's economic conditions continue to deteriorate due to the impact of conflict, persistently high costs, and slow growth. Israel ranks second among OECD countries in child poverty rates, after Costa Rica, a position linked to low public social spending—16.7% of GDP, well below the OECD average.

Poverty Thresholds and Demographic Disparities

The poverty line for an individual is set at 3,547 shekels ($1,145) per month, based on OECD indicators. For a couple the threshold is 7,095 shekels ($2,290), and for a family of five it is 13,303 shekels ($4,295). Overall poverty rates remained largely unchanged from 2023, with a slight increase among individuals from 20.6% to 20.7%. Poverty is most acute among Palestinian and ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish communities: 37.6% of Palestinian families and 32.8% of Haredi families live below the poverty line, together accounting for 65.1% of Israel’s poor population. About 158,000 senior citizens also live in poverty, a rate higher than the OECD average.

Context of Conflict and Economic Strain

The report comes as Israel remains engaged in prolonged military conflicts, including the war in Gaza and operations on multiple fronts, which have placed additional pressure on the economy and social stability.