Story perspectives

Israel's Poverty Rate Hits 21% Amid Ongoing Conflict

1/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

In 2024, about two million Israelis lived below the poverty line, including 880,000 children, according to a National Insurance report.
The poverty rate rose to 21% of the population, up 0.3 percentage points from 2023.
Child poverty was 28%, ranking Israel second among OECD.
Ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities account for 65.1% of those in poverty, and the ongoing war in Gaza worsened employment and displacement, prompting investment in social services.

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Story summary

In 2024, about two million Israelis lived below the poverty line, including 880,000 children, according to a National Insurance report.
The poverty rate rose to 21% of the population, up 0.3 percentage points from 2023.
Child poverty was 28%, ranking Israel second among OECD.
Ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities account for 65.1% of those in poverty, and the ongoing war in Gaza worsened employment and displacement, prompting investment in social services.