According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), one out of every seven Israelis felt poor in the past year; totaling 725,000 people. That number includes 29% of the Israeli Arab population and 12% of the Israeli Jewish population. The report indicates that poverty continues growing in Israel at a faster pace than other developed nations.

Among European Union nations, 17% of the populations is defined as being ‘at risk’ while in Israel, that figure is a staggering 30%. The report adds that the number of single parent families at risk of poverty in EU nations is 36% and in Israel, that figure stands at 41%. In Greece on the other hand, that number stands at 66%.

The report adds that one in four Israelis is behind in payment of utility bills including water, gas and electric. That number stands at 37% in Yerushalayim, 30% in Bnei Brak, and 12% in Ramat Gan.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)