- Israel

2006 Israel Social Economic Review

Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel's most recent publication, Israel Social Economic Review 2006, furthers the Center's goal in serving Israel and the Israeli people. Through non-partisan research and education this book offers information on all aspects of social, economic and policy issues in Israel – to serve as a resource for government and policy makers as they make decisions that shape the future of the country. Click here to download.

Filled with dynamic charts and graphs, this 48 page book covers labor statistics, educational achievement and economic development across Israel and internationally. This year's review is unique in that it emphasizes comparisons between the North and other regions of Israel. Statistics are given on various topics such as: the number of homes with internet access nationally and internationally, fertility rates by district, wage discrepancies by sex and traffic accidents by region.

Here are some of the many conclusions drawn from the research:

A priority need for strengthening of personal social services, such as healthcare, countrywide. The crisis in the North brought the lack of emergency preparedness into the forefront.
The continuous erosion of social welfare programs for weaker populations resulting in their mounting distress. The need for a social 'safety net'.

When examined as a whole, the body of research presents a picture of a society struggling with deepening poverty, widening social gaps and an uneven distribution of services. These issues were further highlighted by the recent crisis in the North.

February 2007