|
Press Report on Labour Force Survey Results
Round (16) (January – March, 2000)
This report is based on the Labour Force quarterly Survey. Data was
collected for the 16th survey from 8/1/2000 to 9/4/2000, representing the first
quarter of 2000.
The results of the 16th round (first quarter of 2000) are
being compared with the 15th round (fourth quarter of 1999) and with the first
quarter of 1999 (12th round).
The survey sample of this round is based on the 1997 census, 7559
households were chosen to represent the Palestinian society and the results are the
following:
- The results show a decrease in labour force participation rate of those aged 15 years
and above in the Palestinian Territory between the 1st quarter of 2000 and 4th
quarter of 1999, (i.e from 41.6% to 40.8%). It shows also a decrease with comparison to
the 1st quarter of 1999 in which the labour force reached 41.1%. The labour
force participation rate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip decreased (i.e. 42.1% and 38.2%
respectively) compared with the 4th quarter of 1999 in which it reached 42.9%
and 39.2% respectively. In the 1st quarter of 1999, it reached 43.3% in the West Bank and 36.6% in
Gaza Strip.
- The unemployment rate in the Palestinian Territory decreased from 13.9% in the 1st
quarter of 1999 to 10.0% in the 4th quarter of 1999 and increased in the 1st
quarter of 2000 to reach 10.9%. Unemployment rate also decreased in West Bank and Gaza
Strip to 8.9% and 15.3% respectively, compared with 1st quarter of 1999,
however it increased in the West Bank from 7.5% to 8.9% compared with the previous quarter
in 1999, whereas it decreased in Gaza Strip from 15.5% to 15.3%.
- With regard to distribution of employees by industry, there was an indication to a
decrease in percentage of those working in agriculture i.e. it reached 12.6% in the 1st
quarter of 2000, compared with 13.2% in the 4th quarter and 12.7% in the 1st
quarter of 1999. The results show an increase in percentage of those working in
agriculture in Gaza Strip, i.e. the percentage increased from 13.3% in the 1st
quarter of 1999 to 19.1% in the 4th quarter of 1999 and decreased to
16.9% in the 1st quarter of 2000, whereas it decreased in the West Bank from
12.5% in the 1st quarter of 1999 to 10.7% in the 4th quarter of 1999
and remained the same in the 1st quarter of 2000.
The results showed an obvious decrease in percentage of those working in construction in
Gaza Strip compared to the 1st quarter of 1999 and 2000, i.e. it decreased from
17.1% to 14.7%, while it increased between the two periods in the West Bank i.e. from
23.1% to 24.3%.
- The percentage of workers in Israel and settlements from the Palestinian Territory
decreased from 23.6% in the 1st quarter of 1999 to 22.7% in the 4th
quarter of 1999 and to 21.9% in the 1st quarter of 2000. The results also show
an increase in Gaza Strip in the same period i.e. from 15.9% to 16.5% and decreased to
14.1%. No change was noticed in West Bank during the same period.
- The results show an increase in percentage of wage employees in the West Bank (i.e. from
65.6% in the 1st quarter of 1999 to 66.8% in the same quarter of 2000) while in
Gaza Strip it decreased from 72.3% to 68.8% in the same period.
- On the contrast, the percentage of those working as employers in the Palestinian
Territory decreased from 6.0% in the 1st quarter of 1999 to 5.1% in the 1st
quarter of 2000. There was an obvious decrease in West Bank i.e. from 7.2% to 6.0%, while
it increased from 2.8% to 3.1% in Gaza Strip.
- The Value of the nominal daily net wage of the employees in West Bank increased from
63.9 NIS in the 1st quarter of 1999 to 67.8 NIS in the 4th quarter
of 1999 and to 68.7 in the 1st quarter in 2000, a net increase of 4.8 NIS. In
Gaza Strip the average daily wage increased from 49.9 NIS in the 1st quarter of
1999 to 52.7 NIS in the 1st quarter 2000. The Average daily net wage for those
working in Israel and settlements increased form 102.6 NIS to 107.8 NIS and to 108.6 NIS
in the 1st and 4th quarters of 1999 and 1st quarter of
2000 respectively.
Main Findings
Population aged 15 years and above
- The percentage of the population aged 15 years and over is 53.2% at
the beginning of 2000.
- The labour force participation rate reached 40.8% in the Palestinian
Territory, 42.1% in the West Bank and 38.2% in Gaza Strip.
The distribution of labour force participants aged
15 years and over in the Palestinian Territory by labour force components and region is as
follows:
Region |
Full Employment |
Underemployment |
Unemployment |
Total (%) |
West Bank |
86.8 |
4.3 |
8.9 |
100 |
Gaza
Strip |
83.2 |
1.5 |
15.3 |
100 |
Palestinian Territory |
85.7 |
3.4 |
10.9 |
100 |
The distribution of Children 10-14 Years in the
Palestinian Territory by labour force components and region is as follows:
Region |
Labour Force |
Outside Labour Force |
Total (%) |
West Bank |
1.9 |
98.1 |
100 |
Gaza
Strip |
0.6 |
99.4 |
100 |
Palestinian Territory |
1.4 |
98.6 |
100 |
3-3 Employment
Employed persons aged 15 years and over in the
Palestinian Territory are distributed by employment status as follows:
Employment Status |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Employer |
6.0 |
3.1 |
5.1 |
Self
Employed |
19.6 |
20.0 |
19.7 |
Wage Employee |
66.8 |
68.8 |
67.4 |
Unpaid
Family Member |
7.6 |
8.1 |
7.8 |
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Employed Persons aged 15 years and over in the
Palestinian Territory are Distributed by Industry and Region as Follows:
Industry |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Agriculture, fishing and forestry |
10.7 |
16.9 |
12.6 |
Mining, quarrying
and manufacturing |
15.4 |
12.1 |
14.4 |
Construction |
24.3 |
14.7 |
21.4 |
Commerce,
restaurants and hotels |
19.2 |
12.9 |
17.3 |
Transportation,
storage and communication |
5.5 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
Services and other
branches |
24.9 |
38.5 |
29.0 |
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 aged 15 years and over according aged 15 years and over to
Place of Work are as follows:
| |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Israel and Settlements |
Average
weekly work hours |
41.8 |
41.3 |
42.6 |
Average monthly
work days |
24.5 |
24.8 |
20.9 |
Median
daily net wage in NIS |
61.5 |
48.1 |
100.0 |
Average daily net
wage in NIS |
68.7 |
52.7 |
108.6 |
3-4 Unemployment
- The unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and over in the
Palestinian Territory reached 10.9% on average specifically 8.9% in West Bank and 15.3% in
Gaza Strip.
Distribution of Unemployment for people aged 15 years
and over in the Palestinian Territory by Age and Sex:
Age |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
15-19 |
17.8 |
2.3 |
16.8 |
20-24 |
13.6 |
24.7 |
15.1 |
25-29 |
10.5 |
20.2 |
11.9 |
30-34 |
10.4 |
15.0 |
11.1 |
35-39 |
7.1 |
7.8 |
7.2 |
40-44 |
9.8 |
6.8 |
9.3 |
45-49 |
7.7 |
4.5 |
7.1 |
50+ |
8.1 |
- |
6.6 |
Overall Average |
10.7 |
12.1 |
10.9 |
Distribution of Unemployment for people aged 15 years
and over in the Palestinian Territory by Age and Region:
Age |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
15-19 |
13.7 |
24.2 |
16.8 |
20-24 |
11.5 |
23.5 |
15.1 |
25-29 |
9.6 |
17.1 |
11.9 |
30-34 |
9.8 |
13.8 |
11.1 |
35-39 |
7.3 |
7.0 |
7.2 |
40-44 |
7.3 |
12.9 |
9.3 |
45-49 |
5.2 |
10.8 |
7.1 |
50+ |
4.3 |
11.2 |
6.6 |
Overall Average |
8.9 |
15.3 |
10.9 |
Distribution of Unemployment for people aged 15 years
and over in the Palestinian Territory by Years of Schooling and Sex:
Years of Schooling |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
0 |
9.2 |
0.3 |
4.6 |
1-6 |
12.7 |
3.6 |
11.8 |
7-9 |
11.7 |
11.0 |
11.6 |
10-12 |
10.3 |
8.6 |
10.1 |
13+ |
8.5 |
19.7 |
11.5 |
Overall
Average |
10.7 |
12.1 |
10.9 |
Distribution of Unemployment for people aged 15 years
and over in the Palestinian Territory by Years of Schooling and Region:
Years of Schooling |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
0 |
1.9 |
9.3 |
4.6 |
1-6 |
9.3 |
16.4 |
11.8 |
7-9 |
11.2 |
12.9 |
11.6 |
10-12 |
7.9 |
14.9 |
10.1 |
13+ |
8.4 |
17.6 |
11.5 |
Overall
Average |
8.9 |
15.3 |
10.9 |
3-5 Persons outside labour force
- The percentage of persons aged 15 years and over outside the labour
force in the Palestinian Territory reached 59.2% of which 57.9% in the West Bank and 61.8%
in Gaza Strip.
Persons aged 15 years and over outside the labour force
in the Palestinian Territory are distributed by reason and region as follows:
Reason |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Old/ill |
9.5 |
9.6 |
9.5 |
Housewife |
56.6 |
50.8 |
54.6 |
Studying or training |
24.6 |
30.7 |
26.7 |
Others |
9.3 |
8.9 |
9.2 |
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 |
86.5 |
4.7 |
8.8 |
100 |
71.5 |
28.5 |
Female |
88.3 |
1.7 |
10.0 |
100 |
12.5 |
87.5 |
Total |
86.8 |
4.3 |
8.9 |
100 |
42.1 |
57.9 |
Gaza Strip |
|
Male |
83.6 |
1.4 |
15.0 |
100 |
66.1 |
33.9 |
Female |
81.1 |
1.9 |
17.0 |
100 |
10.3 |
89.7 |
Total |
83.2 |
1.5 |
15.3 |
100 |
38.2 |
61.8 |
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
( January - March, 2000 ): Percentage
| Labour Force
Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian
Territory |
| Both Sexes |
|
| population aged 15 years and
over ( Man Power) |
55.1 |
49.8 |
53.2 |
| Full employment
(working full time: 35 hours and above) |
36.5 |
31.8 |
34.9 |
| Working less than usual (lack of
employment) |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
1.5 |
0.4 |
1.1 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
3.8 |
5.8 |
4.5 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
5.4 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
5.5 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
| Did not work
– Housewife |
32.8 |
31.4 |
32.3 |
| Did not work – Students |
14.2 |
19.0 |
15.8 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
44.9 |
50.2 |
46.8 |
| Total Population |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| Male |
|
| Population aged 15 years and
over ( Man Power) |
54.7 |
49.6 |
52.8 |
| Full
employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
61.9 |
55.3 |
59.7 |
| Working less than usual (lack of
employment) |
0.6 |
0.3 |
0.5 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
2.8 |
0.7 |
2.1 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
6.3 |
9.9 |
7.5 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
8.5 |
9.0 |
8.7 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
6.0 |
5.4 |
5.8 |
| Did not work
– Housewife |
0.7 |
0.5 |
0.6 |
| Did not work – Students |
13.2 |
18.9 |
15.1 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
45.3 |
50.4 |
47.2 |
| Total Population |
100% |
100% |
100% |
The following table presents the estimated absolute
number of distribution of population in the working age by activity status.
Population 15 Years and Above by region and Labor
Force Status
( January - March, 2000 ): Absolute Numbers
| Labour Force
Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian
Territory |
| Both Sexes |
|
| population aged 15 years and
over ( Man Power) |
1,089,000 |
556,000 |
1,645,000 |
| Full employment
(working full time: 35 hours and above) |
398,000 |
177,000 |
575,000 |
| Working less than usual (lack of
employment) |
3,000 |
1,000 |
4,000 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
16,000 |
2,000 |
18,000 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
41,000 |
33,000 |
74,000 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
59,000 |
30,000 |
89,000 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
60,000 |
33,000 |
93,000 |
| Did not work
– Housewife |
357,000 |
175,000 |
532,000 |
| Did not work – Students |
155,000 |
105,000 |
260,000 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
890,000 |
561,000 |
1,451,000 |
| Total Population |
1,979,000 |
1,117,000 |
3,096,000 |
| Male |
|
| Population aged 15 years and
over ( Man Power) |
547,000 |
278,000 |
825,000 |
| Full
employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
339,000 |
153,000 |
492,000 |
| Working less than usual (lack of
employment) |
3,000 |
1,000 |
4,000 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
15,000 |
2,000 |
17,000 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
34,000 |
28,000 |
61,000 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
47,000 |
25,000 |
72,000 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
33,000 |
15,000 |
48,000 |
| Did not work
– Housewife |
4,000 |
1,000 |
5,000 |
| Did not work – Students |
72,000 |
53,000 |
125,000 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
453,000 |
285,000 |
738,000 |
| Total Population |
1,000,000 |
563,000 |
1,563,000 |
|