Israel's Higher Education Crisis: War Disrupts Studies, Widens Gap With Developed Nations
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israel is experiencing a higher education crisis, falling behind OECD averages in tertiary education attainment and per-student spending. The ongoing war has led 42.2% of enrolled students to pause or stop their studies, and 35.9% of young people to postpone or abandon education altogether. "Calcalist" attributes the decline to conflict, government policy, and an academic boycott, warning of potential irreversible damage if current trends continue.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel lags behind OECD nations in higher education attainment for young adults.
- 42.2% of Israeli students have paused or stopped their studies due to the war.
- Israel's per-student spending is less than half the OECD average.
- Youth population grew 12.1% in six years, while student numbers rose only 4.3%.
- Gulf and Far East countries are investing heavily in higher education, surpassing Israel.
- "Calcalist" warns of potentially irreversible damage to the higher education system.
Israel is falling behind OECD countries in the proportion of young people with higher education, according to an OECD educational review published Sunday, October 11. Between 2015 and 2025, the rate for Israelis aged 25-34 has remained stagnant at around 46%, while the OECD average has risen from 42% to 49%. This trend places Israel below the average for developed nations.
Further analysis by "Calcalist" reveals a widening gap in student numbers compared to youth population growth. Over the past six years, Israel's youth population increased by 12.1%, but the student population grew by only 4.3%. Compounding these issues, state spending per student in Israel is significantly lower than the OECD average. In 2023, Israel allocated $7,885 per student (purchasing power parity adjusted), compared to the OECD average of $16,405, positioning Israel fifth from the bottom among member countries.
The ongoing war has exacerbated access to and continuation of higher education. A "Calcalist" report indicates that 35.9% of young Israelis have postponed or abandoned their studies due to the conflict. Among those already enrolled, 42.2% have paused or ceased their education, with 37.5% temporarily suspending classes and 4.7% dropping out entirely.
Simultaneously, Israel faces an intensifying academic boycott, while Gulf and Far East nations are heavily investing in higher education, with their universities surpassing Israeli institutions in international rankings. "Calcalist" attributes the decline in higher education to the cumulative effects of three years of conflict and government policies, suggesting a lack of effective response to the academic boycott and insufficient societal recognition of universities' strategic importance for economic development.
The publication warns that rebuilding the higher education system will be challenging, potentially remaining a low priority even with a change in government due to numerous other pressing issues. "Calcalist" cautions that continuing current policies for another term could lead to irreversible damage.
