Ultra-Orthodox Sector Faces Demographic Growth, Economic Challenges
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
New data indicates Israel's ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) population is growing, projected to reach 23% by 2065, with high birth rates and a young demographic. However, the sector faces significant economic challenges, including lower employment rates, salaries, and tax contributions compared to other Jewish Israelis. Despite higher government spending per household, Haredi families experience greater financial strain and food insecurity, with a substantial portion relying on welfare benefits.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredim are projected to grow from 14% of Israel's population in 2025 to 23% by 2065.
- Haredi men have a 54% employment rate and earn less than half of other Jewish men.
- Only 6% of Haredi boys are eligible for a matriculation certificate, compared to 86% of others.
- 15% of Haredi men serve in the military, compared to 88% of other Jewish men.
- Government spending on Haredi households is 35% higher, yet they face greater financial strain.
- Food insecurity affects 19% of Haredi households, compared to 8% of other Jewish households.
New data reveals significant demographic and socioeconomic trends within Israel's ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) sector. As of 2025, Haredim constitute 14% of Israel's population, a figure projected to rise to 23% by 2065. Between 2014 and 2018, Haredi women had an average of 6.5 children, compared to 2.0 among non-Haredi Jewish women. Currently, Haredi students make up about 32% of elementary school pupils.
Educational attainment remains a challenge, with only 6% of Haredi boys eligible for a matriculation certificate, versus 86% of other Jewish boys. While 13-15% of Haredi boys achieve advanced math levels on the "Meitzav" exams, compared to about 8% of non-Haredi students, 85% of Haredi boys attend elementary schools focused almost exclusively on religious subjects. Furthermore, 47% of Haredi men pursuing higher education drop out, compared to 23% of other Jewish men.
Military and national service rates are starkly different: only 15% of Haredi men serve, compared to 88% of other Jewish men, and 0.6% of Haredi women serve compared to 88% of non-Haredi Jewish women. The number of individuals exempted from service as yeshiva students has surged from 400 in 1948 to 91,000 in 2023.
Economically, the Haredi sector faces significant disparities. The employment rate for Haredi men is 54%, compared to 87% for other Jewish men. In 2024, the average monthly salary for a Haredi man was 10,579 shekels, less than half the 21,532 shekels earned by other Jewish men. Only 48% of working Haredi men are employed full-time, versus 71% of other Jewish men. Consequently, only 29% of Haredi households pay income tax, compared to 64% of other Jewish households.
Government spending on Haredi households is 35% higher than on non-Haredi households, averaging 17,890 shekels monthly versus 13,358 shekels. This results in a monthly fiscal deficit of 5,732 shekels per Haredi household, compared to 2,735 shekels for other Jewish households. Food insecurity affects 19% of Haredi households, compared to 8% of other Jewish households.
Societal integration also shows gaps, with 65% of Haredim believing Torah study alone is sufficient for a good livelihood, and only 30% reporting regular interaction with secular Jews. Around 60% of Haredim are unwilling to make significant compromises for societal consensus.
