Israel Faces Growing Poverty Crisis as 30% of Population Struggles

A new report from the non-profit organization LATET reveals that nearly 30% of Israel's population lives in poverty as of 2024. The study highlights the widespread economic challenges, with 678,200 households and 2.76 million people living in poverty. Among them, 1.24 million are children. The report paints a stark picture of the country's economic inequalities, with 10.1% of families facing "severe nutritional insecurity."

The report underscores the harsh realities of poverty in Israel, revealing that 325,700 families and 1.18 million people are struggling with serious food insecurity, including 627,600 children. A further 354,800 families and 990,600 individuals face general food insecurity.

The impact of poverty on Israeli families is significant, with those receiving aid reporting low personal resilience at twice the rate of the general population. The average monthly expenses for households receiving support were 1.7 times their average monthly income, reflecting a severe financial imbalance.

In Jerusalem, the situation is even more dire, with about 41% of families living in poverty, compared to around 20% in other regions of the country. Additionally, the ongoing conflict with Hamas has further exacerbated the struggles of low-income families, with 44.6% of aid recipients reporting negative impacts on their children’s academic performance due to the war.

The economic hardships are evident in the inability to afford basic needs. Among those receiving aid, 85.4% cannot afford tutoring, 84.7% cannot pay for extracurricular activities, and 71% struggle to keep up with school payments. Moreover, 70% of families cannot afford necessary medications, while nearly 70% forgo home repairs due to financial constraints. Utility services are also affected, with over 22% of aid recipients reporting disconnections from electricity.

LATET’s report calls for immediate action from Israel's government to address the deepening poverty crisis. It highlights the need for a comprehensive action plan and the establishment of a national body dedicated to combating poverty. The report also warns that planned economic measures for 2025, such as raising VAT and freezing child allowances, will disproportionately burden low-income families and further deepen the hardship.