|
Press Release on the Results of Labour Force Survey
Quarters I and II, 1998
In its efforts to provide official statistical data at the national level, and in view of the fact that developmental and social planning in Palestine requires a supply of credible statistics in all sectors of Palestinian society, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) is conducting a labour force survey programme, comprised of series of household surveys on labour force on a biannual basis. The surveys are conducted on a quarterly (every 3 months) basis the first one in July 1996.
The Results in this release represent the first half of 1998. Data were collected in the period January 10,1998- July 9, 1998. The study is based on a sample of about 7,600 household for each quarter of the year.
The data consists of the main statistical indicators related to the Palestinian labour force, and the analysis of the main characteristics of the Palestinian labour force pertaining to the following: labour force distribution, occupation, industry, number of working hours and wages. The data covering unemployment and its main characteristics, and the unemployed and their distribution by age, sex and education. As well, survey studies underemployment.
The main findings of the survey show that the labour force participation rate (LFPR) in the Palestinian Territories reached 40.2% of which 43.0% in the West Bank and 35.3% in the Gaza Strip.
The unemployment rate reached 20.3% in the Gaza Strip and 11.8% in the West Bank.
On the other hand, the underemployment rate in the Gaza Strip is 2.5% and in the West Bank 9.2%. This means that the combined unemployment and underemployment rate was 21.6% in the Palestinian Territories 22.8% in the Gaza Strip and 21.0% in the West Bank.
The percentage of Palestinians employed in Israel and Israeli Settlements increased to 21.5%. The percentage of persons employed in industry is as follows: 12.9 in agriculture, 16.0% in mining, quarrying and manufacturing, 18.2% in commerce, hotels and restaurants, 4.6% in communication, storage and transportation, 21.0% in construction and 27.3% in services and other branches.
Finally, the survey’s plan fully follows the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and recommendations, taking into account the characteristics the Palestinian society. The survey provides data which may be used the various PNA ministries, research institutions, as well as independent researchers.
Main Findings
Population aged 15 years and above
- The percentage of population aged 15 years and higher is 53%
- The labour force participation rate reached 40.2% in the Palestinian Territories, 43.0% in the West Bank and 35.3% in Gaza Strip.
The distribution of labour force participants by labour force components and region is as follows:
|
Region |
Full Employment |
Underemployment |
Unemployment |
Total (%) |
|
West Bank |
79.0 |
9.2 |
11.8 |
100% |
|
Gaza Strip |
77.2 |
2.5 |
20.3 |
100% |
|
Palestinian Territories |
78.4 |
7.1 |
14.5 |
100% |
|
3-3 Employment
Employed persons are distributed by employment status as follows:
|
Employment Status |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territories (%) |
|
Employer |
5.9 |
3.6 |
5.2 |
|
Self Employed |
22.6 |
19.3 |
21.6 |
|
Wage Employee |
62.0 |
72.1 |
65.0 |
|
Unpaid Family Member |
9.5 |
5.0 |
8.2 |
|
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Employed Persons in the Palestinian Territories are Distributed by Industry and Region as Follows:
|
Industry |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territories (%) |
|
Agriculture, fishing and forestry |
14.9 |
8.2 |
12.9 |
|
Mining, quarrying and manufacturing |
17.0 |
13.6 |
16.0 |
|
Construction |
21.6 |
19.7 |
21.0 |
|
Commerce, restaurants and hotels |
18.9 |
16.6 |
18.2 |
|
Transportation, storage and communication |
4.8 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
|
Services and other branches |
22.8 |
37.8 |
27.3 |
|
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Work days and hours and wages
The average weekly work hours, average monthly work days and average daily wage per employee according to Place of Work are as follows:
| |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Israel and Settlements |
|
Average weekly work hours |
48.0 |
42.0 |
48.0 |
|
Average monthly work days |
24.0 |
26.0 |
20.0 |
|
Median daily net wage in NIS |
50.0 |
38.5 |
100.0 |
|
Average daily net wage in NIS |
55.9 |
46.3 |
96.6 |
|
3-4 Unemployment
- The unemployment rate in the Palestinian Territories reached 14.5% on average specifically 11.8% in West Bank and 20.3% in Gaza Strip.
Distribution of Unemployment by Age and Sex:
|
Age |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
|
15-19 |
25.1 |
14.4 |
24.4 |
|
20-24 |
20.6 |
25.7 |
21.3 |
|
25-29 |
13.7 |
19.7 |
14.5 |
|
30-34 |
11.6 |
15.7 |
12.2 |
|
35-39 |
10.4 |
9.1 |
10.2 |
|
40-44 |
10.4 |
5.6 |
9.7 |
|
45-49 |
11.8 |
2.5 |
10.3 |
|
50+ |
8.5 |
1.9 |
7.5 |
|
Over all Average |
14.6 |
13.9 |
14.5 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by Age and Region:
|
Age |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
|
15-19 |
20.6 |
36.0 |
24.4 |
|
20-24 |
17.0 |
30.2 |
21.3 |
|
25-29 |
11.5 |
21.1 |
14.5 |
|
30-34 |
10.3 |
15.9 |
12.2 |
|
35-39 |
8.8 |
12.8 |
10.2 |
|
40-44 |
8.1 |
12.9 |
9.7 |
|
45-49 |
8.2 |
13.6 |
10.3 |
|
50+ |
5.0 |
14.2 |
7.5 |
|
Over all Average |
11.8 |
20.3 |
14.5 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by years of schooling and Sex:
|
years of schooling |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
|
0 |
7.9 |
1.7 |
5.2 |
|
1-6 |
16.3 |
4.1 |
15.1 |
|
7-9 |
15.9 |
9.9 |
15.4 |
|
10-12 |
15.2 |
15.7 |
15.2 |
|
13+ |
10.5 |
22.4 |
13.6 |
|
Over all Average |
14.6 |
13.9 |
14.5 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by years of schooling and Region:
|
years of schooling |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
|
0 |
2.8 |
14.7 |
5.2 |
|
1-6 |
11.6 |
22.0 |
15.1 |
|
7-9 |
13.1 |
22.2 |
15.4 |
|
10-12 |
13.5 |
18.7 |
15.2 |
|
13+ |
10.1 |
19.5 |
13.6 |
|
Over all Average |
11.8 |
20.3 |
14.5 |
|
Unemployment Rate by district:
|
District |
Unemployment Rate |
|
Jenin and Tubas |
11.6 |
|
Tulkerem, Qalqilia and Salfit |
13.3 |
|
Nablus |
8.7 |
|
Ramallah and
Al-Bireh |
16.4 |
|
Jerusalem |
12.8 |
|
Bethlehem and Jericho |
13.7 |
|
Hebron |
9.4 |
|
Total West Bank |
11.8 |
|
|
|
Gaza City |
15.1 |
|
Gaza Strip - North |
15.4 |
|
Gaza Strip - Center |
23.2 |
|
Gaza Strip - South |
27.9 |
|
Total Gaza Strip |
20.3 |
|
|
|
Total Palestinian Territories |
14.5 |
|
3-5 Persons outside labour force
- The percentage of persons outside labour force in the Palestinian Territories reached 59.8% of which 57.0% in the West Bank and 64.7% in Gaza Strip.
Persons outside labour force in the Palestinian Territories are distributed by reason and region as follows:
|
Reason |
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Palestinian Territories (%)
|
|
Old/ill |
11.1 |
10.3 |
10.8 |
|
Home making |
54.3 |
54.7 |
54.5 |
|
Studying or training |
24.2 |
28.9 |
26.1 |
|
Others |
10.4 |
6.1 |
8.6 |
|
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
3-6 Labour Force Status: Further details
Population in the working age (15 years and above) are distributed according to the ILO standard classification of labour force framework by sex and labour force status as follows:
|
Region and Sex |
Employed |
Under-employed |
Unemployed |
Total |
Labour Force
|
Outside Labour Force
|
|
West Bank |
|
|
Male |
77.9 |
10.3 |
11.8 |
100.0 |
71.0 |
29.0 |
|
Female |
85.2 |
2.9 |
11.9 |
100.0 |
14.0 |
86.0 |
|
Total |
79.0 |
9.2 |
11.8 |
100.0 |
43.0 |
57.0 |
|
Gaza Strip |
|
|
Male |
77.5 |
2.5 |
20.0 |
100.0 |
64.4 |
35.6 |
|
Female |
74.6 |
2.6 |
22.8 |
100.0 |
5.6 |
94.4 |
|
Total |
77.2 |
2.5 |
20.3 |
100.0 |
35.3 |
64.7 |
|
The circumstances of the Palestinian labour market assume taking into account the detailed information concerning the activity status of population in the working age. The following table presents the relative distribution of population in the working age by activity status.
Population 15 Years and Above by region and Labor Force Status: Perentage
|
Labour Force Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian Territories |
|
Full employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
34.0 |
27.2 |
31.6 |
|
Working less than usual (lack of employment) |
1.1 |
0.2 |
0.8 |
|
Working in poor conditions or for insufficient income |
2.9 |
0.7 |
2.1 |
|
Did not work and seeking job |
5.1 |
7.1 |
5.8 |
|
Did not work and did not seek job due to discouragement |
5.9 |
4 |
5.1 |
|
Did not work – old or ill |
6.3 |
6.7 |
6.5 |
|
Did not work – Home duties |
30.9 |
35.4 |
32.5 |
|
Did not work – Students |
13.8 |
18.7 |
15.6 |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
|
The following table presents the estimated absoulute number of distribution of population in the working age by activity status.
Population 15 Years and Above by region and Labor Force Status: Absolute Numbers
|
Labour Force Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian Territories |
|
Full employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
351,000 |
136,000 |
487,000 |
|
Working less than usual (lack of employment) |
11,000 |
1,000 |
12,000 |
|
Working in poor conditions or for insufficient income |
30,000 |
3,500 |
33,500 |
|
Did not work and seeking job |
53,000 |
35,500 |
88,500 |
|
Did not work and did not seek job due to discouragement |
61,000 |
20,000 |
81,000 |
|
Did not work – old or ill |
65,000 |
33,500 |
98,500 |
|
Did not work – Home duties |
319,000 |
177,000 |
496,000 |
|
Did not work – Students |
142,000 |
93,500 |
235,500 |
|
Total |
1,032,000 |
500,000 |
1,532,000 |
|
Basic changes in the labour force indicators in the Palestinian Territories
during 1995 - 1998
|
Variable |
September-
October,
1995 (%) |
April-May,
1996 (%) |
July-October,
1996 (%) |
October 1996 -
January,
1997 (%) |
February -
March
1997 (%) |
April-June
1997 (%) |
July-September,
1997 (%) |
January -
March
þ1998þ (%) |
April -June
1998 (%) |
|
Labour Force Participation Rate |
39.0 |
41.2 |
40.7 |
39.8 |
38.7 |
40.9 |
41.4 |
39.6 |
40.8 |
|
Full Employment Rate |
60.7 |
57.3 |
66.3 |
71.9 |
71.4 |
71.2 |
69.2 |
77.6 |
79.2 |
|
Underemployment Rate |
21.1 |
14.3 |
11.9 |
9.8 |
9.1 |
9.9 |
9.3 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
|
Unemployment Rate |
18.2 |
28.4 |
21.8 |
18.3 |
19.5 |
18.9 |
21.5 |
15.5 |
13.6 |
|
Employed in Agriculture |
12.3 |
16.8 |
12.6 |
14.1 |
11.6 |
15.6 |
13.1 |
12 |
13.7 |
|
Employed in Construction |
18.8 |
12.2 |
19.5 |
19.1 |
19 |
17.2 |
18.4 |
20.5 |
21.5 |
|
Employed in Manufacturing |
17.8 |
17.4 |
17 |
16.2 |
16.6 |
16.7 |
16 |
16.5 |
15.6 |
|
Employed in Services |
26.5 |
30.2 |
27.6 |
27.7 |
29.2 |
26.8 |
27.7 |
27.8 |
26.8 |
|
Elementary Occupation Workers |
18.3 |
27.1 |
28.7 |
29.9 |
29.1 |
28.2 |
29.5 |
30.9 |
30.5 |
|
Craft and Related Trade Workers |
27.5 |
23.4 |
26.3 |
22.6 |
25.3 |
23.8 |
24 |
24.9 |
24.9 |
|
Employed in Israel and Settlements |
16.1 |
9.5 |
16.2 |
19.2 |
18.6 |
16.6 |
16.1 |
20.5 |
22.3 |
|
Employers |
6.9 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
5.7 |
5.3 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
|
Self - Employed |
21.2 |
23.3 |
22.6 |
22.4 |
22 |
23.1 |
24.2 |
22.4 |
20.9 |
|
Wage Employees |
61.7 |
58.8 |
61.8 |
61.9 |
63.6 |
60 |
60.6 |
64.7 |
65.3 |
|
Unpaid Family Members |
10.2 |
12.3 |
9.8 |
10 |
9.1 |
11.6 |
9.6 |
7.7 |
8.5 |
|
Average Monthly Work Days |
21 |
21.6 |
22 |
22 |
20 |
24 |
23 |
22 |
23 |
|
Average Weekly Work Hours |
42.1 |
42.3 |
44 |
44 |
40.6 |
48 |
44 |
43 |
44 |
|
Median Daily Net Wage (NIS) |
49.6 |
42.3 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
53.9 |
57.7 |
|
Basic changes in the labour force indicators in the West Bank during 1995 - 1998:
|
Variable |
September-
October,
1995 (%) |
April-May,
1996 (%) |
July-October,
1996 (%) |
October 1996 -
January,
1997 (%) |
February -
March
1997 (%) |
April-June
1997 (%) |
July-September,
1997 (%) |
January -
March
þ1998þ (%) |
April -June
1998 (%) |
|
Labour Force Participation Rate |
40.6 |
42.3 |
42.5 |
41.7 |
40.7 |
43.5 |
44.3 |
42 |
44 |
|
Full Employment Rate |
65.3 |
60.6 |
68.8 |
73.7 |
71.7 |
72.1 |
70.4 |
78.1 |
79.8 |
|
Underemployment Rate |
20.7 |
15 |
12.7 |
10.8 |
10.6 |
12.3 |
11.4 |
9 |
9.3 |
|
Unemployment Rate |
13.9 |
24.3 |
18.5 |
15.5 |
17.7 |
15.6 |
18.2 |
12.9 |
10.9 |
|
Employed in Agriculture |
13.3 |
19 |
14.2 |
15.7 |
14.2 |
18.4 |
14.9 |
13.7 |
16 |
|
Employed in Construction |
20.3 |
13.3 |
20.9 |
20.2 |
19.4 |
17.7 |
19.5 |
21.1 |
22 |
|
Employed in Manufacturing |
18.8 |
17.9 |
17.8 |
16.8 |
17.6 |
17.2 |
16.6 |
17.7 |
16.4 |
|
Employed in Services |
22.6 |
26 |
23.6 |
23.7 |
25.2 |
22.3 |
24 |
23.5 |
22.3 |
|
Elementary Occupation Workers |
18.2 |
26.5 |
28.8 |
30 |
28.7 |
27.7 |
29.1 |
30.6 |
30.5 |
|
Craft and Related Trade Workers |
28.7 |
24.1 |
27.6 |
23.3 |
25.6 |
23.9 |
24.8 |
25.6 |
25.4 |
|
Employed in Israel and Settlements |
20.7 |
11.4 |
18.3 |
19.4 |
20.7 |
18.7 |
18.6 |
22.5 |
24.6 |
|
Employers |
7.1 |
6 |
6.1 |
6.1 |
6 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
5.9 |
5.8 |
|
Self - Employed |
21.3 |
23.9 |
23.9 |
23.4 |
22.8 |
24 |
24.5 |
23.5 |
21.7 |
|
Wage Employees |
61.3 |
56.8 |
60.1 |
59.6 |
61.1 |
57.1 |
58.7 |
61.5 |
62.5 |
|
Unpaid Family Members |
9.9 |
13.2 |
9.4 |
10.9 |
10.1 |
13.2 |
10.5 |
9.1 |
10 |
|
Average Monthly Work Days |
22 |
21.8 |
23 |
23 |
20.7 |
26 |
23 |
22 |
23 |
|
Average Weekly Work Hours |
43 |
42.3 |
44 |
44 |
40 |
45 |
45 |
43 |
44 |
|
Median Daily Net Wage (NIS) |
50 |
46.2 |
50 |
51.6 |
50 |
48.5 |
48.5 |
57.9 |
61.5 |
|
Basic changes in the labour force indicators in Gaza Strip during 1995 -
1998
|
Variable |
September-
October,
1995 (%) |
April-May,
1996 (%) |
July-October,
1996 (%) |
October 1996 -
January,
1997 (%) |
February -
March
1997 (%) |
April-June
1997 (%) |
July-September,
1997 (%) |
January -
March
þ1998þ (%) |
April -June
1998 (%) |
|
Labour Force Participation Rate |
35.4 |
38.6 |
36.3 |
35.1 |
35.2 |
36 |
34.4 |
35.4 |
35.2 |
|
Full Employment Rate |
48.6 |
48.2 |
59.4 |
66.7 |
70.1 |
69.4 |
65.7 |
76.6 |
77.8 |
|
Underemployment Rate |
22 |
12.7 |
9.8 |
7.1 |
5.8 |
4.3 |
2.7 |
2.6 |
2.5 |
|
Unemployment Rate |
29.4 |
39.1 |
30.8 |
26.2 |
24.1 |
26.3 |
31.6 |
20.8 |
19.7 |
|
Employed in Agriculture |
10.8 |
10.9 |
7.5 |
8.9 |
8.3 |
8.7 |
6.4 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
|
Employed in Construction |
15.4 |
8.9 |
14.9 |
15.5 |
18.3 |
16.1 |
14.3 |
19.3 |
20.1 |
|
Employed in Manufacturing |
15.2 |
15.7 |
14.2 |
14.4 |
14.2 |
15.4 |
13.6 |
13.6 |
13.6 |
|
Employed in Services |
35.2 |
43 |
41.2 |
40.4 |
38 |
37.6 |
41.7 |
37.9 |
37.8 |
|
Elementary Occupation Workers |
18.4 |
29.1 |
28.5 |
29.5 |
30.1 |
29.4 |
30.2 |
31.6 |
30.6 |
|
Craft and Related Trade Workers |
23.5 |
21.1 |
21.7 |
20.4 |
24.7 |
23.6 |
21.5 |
23.2 |
23.7 |
|
Employed in Israel and Settlements |
3.6 |
3.6 |
9.1 |
11.7 |
13.7 |
11.3 |
7.1 |
16 |
16.7 |
|
Employers |
6.1 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
4.3 |
3.8 |
4.5 |
2.9 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
|
Self - Employed |
20.4 |
21.3 |
18.1 |
17.2 |
20.2 |
20.7 |
23.2 |
19.7 |
18.9 |
|
Wage Employees |
62.6 |
64.8 |
67.6 |
69.4 |
69.3 |
67.3 |
67.4 |
72 |
72.2 |
|
Unpaid Family Members |
10.8 |
9.4 |
9.6 |
7.1 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
|
Average Monthly Work Days |
21.7 |
22.8 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
26 |
25 |
23 |
24 |
|
Average Weekly Work Hours |
43.2 |
42.6 |
45 |
44 |
43 |
42 |
44 |
44 |
43 |
|
Median Daily Net Wage (NIS) |
35 |
34.6 |
38.5 |
38.5 |
40 |
38.5 |
38.5 |
45 |
46.1 |
|
|