One in Five Israeli Youth Neither Study Nor Work, Report Finds

A recent report indicates that one in five young people in Israel are neither studying nor employed, a figure that has risen significantly over the past decade. This increase contrasts with a general decline in the average rate among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, where the proportion dropped from 16% to 13% during the same period. The three-percentage-point rise in Israel represents the highest increase among the compared nations, according to information cited by Calcalist.

The report also highlights a concerning trend among Israelis aged 25 to 34 who lack a high school diploma. Their proportion increased from 9% in 2015 to 11% in 2025, while the OECD average saw a decrease from 17% to 12%. Furthermore, Israeli young adults in this age group without a high school diploma earn approximately 72% of the wages of their high school graduate peers, compared to an OECD average of 87%.

In higher education, government spending per student in Israel was around $7,885 in 2023, significantly lower than the OECD average of $16,405. Government funding accounted for only 38% of total spending on higher education institutions in Israel, versus an OECD average of 68%.

Data also revealed that the percentage of men aged 25 to 34 with academic education remained stagnant at about 36% between 2015 and 2025 in Israel. In contrast, this figure rose from 34% to 43% across OECD countries. For women, the rate of academic education in Israel stood at 57%, slightly above the OECD average of 56%.

These indicators collectively point to significant shifts in youth participation in education and the labor market over the last decade, with Israel showing a less favorable trajectory in several key areas compared to other developed nations.