A Growing Poverty Crisis in Israel
A recent report by the Latet humanitarian relief organization highlights a growing poverty crisis in Israel, revealing that approximately 25% of Israelis live below the poverty line. The report, published in December 2024, indicates that 65% of the population has been financially impacted by ongoing conflicts, leading to a significant decline in social resilience across the nation.
The 2024 Poverty Report shows that 32.1% of Israelis have experienced a deterioration in their financial situation over the past year, with nearly one million individuals struggling to pay basic bills. Alarmingly, the report notes that 39.6% of children in poverty-stricken families are facing severe challenges, including psychological issues and poor academic performance.
According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index, 22.3% of households, equating to around 678,200 families, are classified as living in poverty. The financial strain is particularly evident among children, with 1.24 million affected. The report underscores that the minimum monthly cost of living in Israel has surged, with a single person's expenses estimated at NIS 5,355 ($1,482) and a family of four at NIS 13,617 ($3,769), marking increases of 6.55% and 6.9% respectively compared to the previous year.
The Impact of War on Economic Stability
The report further elaborates on the economic pressures exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, which have led to rising prices in essential goods, particularly food. Families supported by Latet reported an average monthly expenditure of NIS 10,367 ($2,870), significantly exceeding their average net income of NIS 6,092 ($1,686). This financial imbalance has resulted in 78.8% of supported families accumulating debts, a stark contrast to 26.9% of the general population.
The consequences of this economic crisis are particularly dire for children and the elderly. The report indicates that 44.6% of supported children have experienced significant declines in academic performance, and 60.4% of older individuals receiving assistance have had to forgo necessary medical treatments due to financial constraints.
Latet's leadership warns that planned economic measures, including increases in VAT and utility costs, are likely to worsen the situation for vulnerable populations. They emphasize that alongside military challenges, Israel faces a pressing moral obligation to combat poverty, which could determine the resilience of society in the years to come.
