عربي
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)
Press Release on the Results of the Labour Force Survey Third Quarter
(July – September, 2021) Round
Noticeable Increase in the Unemployment Rate in Gaza Strip in Q3 2021
The number of employed persons increased by 20 thousand in the 3rd quarter of 2021
The number of employed persons (excluded workers abroad) increased from about 1.016 million in the 2nd quarter of 2021 to about 1.036 million in the 3rd quarter of 2021, by 2%. It increased from West Bank by 4% compared to the 2nd quarter 2021, while decreased by 4% from Gaza Strip for the same period.
The largest increase reported among wage employees, as this number increased by 39 thousands employed persons, while the number decreased between the two quarters mentioned by 11 thousand for own account workers (employers and self employed), also it decreased by 8 thousand for unpaid family workers.
An increase in the number of employed persons in the local market between the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2021
The number of employed persons in the local market increased from 869 thousand employed person in the 2nd quarter of 2021 to 891 thousand employed persons in the 3rd quarter of 2021, where it increased by 5% in the West Bank while it decreased by 4% in Gaza Strip for the same period.
The results showed that most of the activities witnessed an increase in the number of employed persons during the 3rd quarter of 2021 are those employed in the West Bank in manufacturing, then constructions, other services[1], and transport and storage, while agriculture, commerce and hotels activities witnessed a notice decrease in the number of employed persons.
The average weekly working hours for wage employees in the West Bank was 44.3 hours per week compared to 37.2 hours in Gaza Strip. The average monthly working days was 23.2 working days in the West Bank compared to 22.4 working days in Gaza Strip.
An increased in the number of employed persons in Israeli settlements by three thousands between the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2021
The number of employed persons in Israeli settlements increased from about 19 thousand in the 2nd quarter 2021 to about 22 thousand employed person in the 3rd quarter 2021, the number of employed persons in Israel and Israeli settlements reached about 145 thousand employed person in the 3rd quarter of 2021 compared to about 146 thousand employed person in the 2nd quarter of 2021; The number of workers in Israel in commerce and hotels activity decreased by about 3 thousands, then agriculture by about one thousand and transport by 500 workers, the services activity remained at the same level, while the number of employed in constructions increased by about 3 thousands, and the number increased by about 500 in manufacturing.
The average daily wage for the wage employees in Israel and Israeli settlements was about 265 NIS in the 2nd quarter 2021 to 266 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2021 .
7 out of 10 employed persons are wage employees
73% of employed persons are wage employees, 23% of employed persons are self-employed and employers, and 4% are unpaid family members.
Half of the wage employees in the private sector were hired without any contract.
50% of wage employees in the private sector were hired without any contract, and 33% of wage employees receive a contribution to a pension fund/end of service compensation. Moreover, about half of wage female employees (53%) have a paid maternity leave.
28% of wage employees in the private sector receive less than the minimum wage (1,450 NIS) in Palestine
The percentage of wage employees in the private sector who receive less than the minimum wage in the West Bank decreased slightly from 8% to 7% between the 2nd quarter 2021 and the 3rd quarter 2021, (The number increased from 18 thousand to 20 thousand), the percentage increased from 80% to about 83% in Gaza Strip (The number increased from 82 thousand to 86 thousand) during the same period.
The monthly minimum wage in Gaza Strip was (654 NIS) compared with (1,110 NIS) in the West Bank.
An increase in the labour force participation in Gaza Strip
The participation rate in the labour force was 44% in the 3rd quarter 2021 compared to 43% the 2nd quarter 2021. Also data indicated that this percentage remained at the same level about 46% in the West Bank, while it increased in Gaza Strip from 38% to 41% during the same period.
The male participation rate in the labour force was 69% in the 3rd quarter 2021 compared to 68% in the 2nd quarter of 2021, the female participation rate was 18% in the 3rd quarter 2021 compared to 17% during the same period.
The unemployment rate among labour force participants (15 years and over) in the 3rd quarter was about 27%, while the total underutilization of labour was about 34%, according to the revised International Labour Organization standards (ICLS-19th).
The number of unemployed persons reached 389 thousands in the 3rd quarter of 2021; of which 253 thousand persons in Gaza Strip and 136 thousand person in the West Bank. Hence, the disparity remains large in the unemployment rate between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as this rate reached 50% in Gaza Strip compared to 15% in the West Bank. As for the sex level, the unemployment rate for males in Palestine reached 22% compared to 47% for females.
Within the same context, the total underutilisation reached 529 thousand person, as this number includes 67 thousand discouraged job seekers and 20 thousand in time-related underemployment.
Unemployment Rate (ICLS 19th) by Region, Q1- 2019 – Q3-2021
[1] Includes: Public administration and defense; compulsory social security, Education, Human health activities, Social work activities without accommodation, Creative, arts and entertainment activities, Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities, Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities, Activities of membership organizations, Other personal service activities, Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel and Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies