Job Openings Decline in Israel, Especially in Tech Sector
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Israel's job openings fell to 143,000 in October from 146,000 in September, with the rate dropping to 4.32 per 100 employees. The tech sector, particularly software development, saw a decline in openings, possibly due to AI advancements. Overall employment in high-tech has also decreased as a percentage of the total workforce.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's job openings decreased to 143,000 in October from 146,000 in September.
- The rate of job openings fell to 4.32 per 100 employees in October.
- Software developer and network technician roles saw a 6% drop in openings.
- Home construction jobs decreased by 7%, and waitstaff/bartender roles by 10%.
- High-tech employment now represents 9.5% of Israel's total workforce.
- AI advancements may be reducing the need for programmers in the tech sector.
The number of available job openings in Israel decreased in October to 143,000, down from 146,000 in September, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The rate of job openings also saw a slight dip to 4.32 per 100 employees, from 4.4 in September. Despite this decrease, the figures remain relatively consistent with recent years. After an initial impact from the start of the war, the job opening rate stabilized around 4.5 per 100 employees from mid-2024, with only a minor decline recently. The current labor market is still considered tighter than in 2019, when the rate was around 3.5, but less extreme than the post-COVID period, which saw rates occasionally reach 5 per 100 employees.
Within specific professions, software developer roles showed a notable decrease, with the August-October average down 6% compared to July-September. Network technician positions also saw a similar decline. More significant drops were observed in home construction (down 7%) and waitstaff/bartenders (down 10%). Conversely, openings for engineers and technicians increased by 5% during the same period.
This trend aligns with other CBS data indicating a reduction in high-tech employment, with the sector now comprising 9.5% of all employed individuals, down from slightly higher figures a few years ago. This shift may be influenced by the artificial intelligence revolution, which is transforming the tech industry and potentially reducing the need for programmers, particularly junior ones, by enabling greater output.
