OECD Report: Youth Unemployment and Education Gaps Worsen in Israel

A new OECD report, "Education at a Glance 2026," reveals a significant rise in the percentage of young Israelis who are neither employed nor in education, reaching 20% in 2025, up from 17% in 2015. This increase is the highest among developed nations, where the average for "NEET" (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth declined to 13%. The report also highlights a concerning trend in secondary education attainment, with the proportion of young Israelis aged 25-34 lacking a high school diploma rising to 11% in 2025, compared to a declining OECD average of 12%.

Israel's government spending on higher education per student is notably low, approximately $7,000 in 2023, which is half the developed country average. This underinvestment is reflected in the widening gap between academic salaries and teacher salaries, which doubled from 14% to 27% in Israel. Furthermore, the report indicates that Israeli men aged 25-34 with tertiary education remain stagnant at 36% since 2015, falling far below the OECD average of 43%, while women fare better but show a larger gender gap in tertiary education attainment compared to the OECD average.

The report also points to Israel's leading position in overcrowded classrooms, particularly in public primary education, with an average of 28 students per class, the highest in the OECD. Early childhood education also sees significantly lower government spending per child compared to other developed nations. These trends suggest potential long-term negative impacts on social and workforce integration for young Israelis, as prolonged periods of inactivity in early adulthood are linked to increased risks of crime and reduced future earning potential.