Young Israelis Lagging in Education and Employment Compared to OECD Peers

A growing number of young Israelis, aged 18-24, are neither studying nor working, a trend that has seen the rate increase from 17% to 20% over the past decade. This contrasts sharply with the average OECD country, where the rate has decreased from 16% to 13%. Israel's rise in this category, known as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), is the highest among developed nations, according to a report cited by Calcalist journalist Shahar Ilan.

The report, covering changes from 2015 to 2025, also highlights a rise in Israelis aged 25-34 without full secondary education, from 9% to 11%, while the OECD average fell from 17% to 12%. This educational gap significantly impacts earnings, with Israelis in this group earning only 72% of what their peers with a diploma earn, compared to an OECD average of 87%.

Furthermore, Israel invests considerably less in higher education per student than the OECD average, spending $7,885 in 2023 compared to the OECD's $16,405. State funding for higher education also lags, accounting for only 38% of total costs in Israel, versus the OECD average of 68%.

While the proportion of young Israeli women with higher education has increased to 57%, matching the OECD average, the rate for young men has stagnated at 36%, creating a significant gender gap in higher education attainment in Israel compared to other developed countries.

In early childhood education, Israel ranks last among OECD nations for state spending on children aged 0-2, allocating $1,482 per child in 2023, a mere 9.8% of the OECD average. Class sizes in Israeli public primary and middle schools are also among the largest in the OECD.

Teacher salaries are also falling behind, with primary school teachers earning 73% of what other university-educated professionals earn in 2023, down from 86% in 2022, and significantly lower than the OECD average of 87%. Educational organizations have called for urgent investment and greater autonomy for school principals to address these concerning trends.