Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

Press Release on the Results of the Labour Force Survey Fourth Quarter

 (October – December, 2021)  Round

Noticeable Decrease in the Unemployment Rate in Q4 2021

The number of employed persons increased by 56 thousand in the 4^th quarter of 2021

The number of employed persons (excluded workers abroad) increased from about 1.036 million in the 3^rd quarter of 2021 to about 1.092 million in the 4^th quarter of 2021, by 5%. It increased in the West Bank by 4% compared to the 3^rd quarter 2021, also it increased by 11% in Gaza Strip for the same period.

The largest increase reported among wage employees, as this number increased by 32 thousands employed persons, also the number increased between the two quarters mentioned by 16 thousand for own account workers (employers and self employed), also it increased by 8 thousand for unpaid family workers.

An increase in the number of employed persons in the local market between the 3^rd and 4^th  quarters of 2021

The number of employed persons in the local market increased from 891 thousand employed person in the 3^rd quarter of 2021 to 939 thousand employed persons in the 4^th  quarter of 2021, where it increased by 3% in the West Bank and it increased by 11% 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 4^th  quarter of 2021 are those employed in commerce and hotels activities, then manufacturing, then agriculture, other services[1], and constructions, finally transports activities.

The average weekly working hours for wage employees in the West Bank was 44.0 hours per week compared to 36.0 hours in Gaza Strip. The average monthly working days was 23.1 working days in the West Bank compared to 22.2 working days in Gaza Strip.

An increase in the number of employed persons in Israel and Israeli settlements by 8 thousands between the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 2021

The number of employed persons in Israel and Israeli settlements reached about 153 thousand employed person in the 4^th quarter of 2021 compared to about 145 thousand employed person in the 3^rd quarter of 2021.

The number of employed persons in Israeli settlements increased from about 21,600 thousand in the 3rd quarter 2021 to about 22,400 thousand employed person in the 4th quarter 2021, The number of workers in Israel and Israeli settlements in other services activity increased by about 3 thousands, then manufacturing and commerce and hotels by about 2 thousands for each activity, the constructions and transports activities remained at the same level between the tow quarters.

The average daily wage for the wage employees in Israel and Israeli settlements was about 269 NIS  in the 4^th  quarter 2021  compared to 266 NIS in the 3^rd 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.

More than half of the wage employees in the private sector were hired without any contract.

52% of wage employees in the private sector were hired without any contract, and 32% of wage employees receive a contribution to a pension fund/end of service compensation. Moreover, (46%) of wage female employees  have a paid maternity leave.

30% 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 a monthly wage less than the minimum wage in the West Bank slightly increased between the third and fourth quarters 2021 from about 7% to 8%, where the number increased from 20 thousand to 22 thousand, and the number in the Gaza Strip increased from 86 thousand to 101 thousand wage employees during the same period, while the percentage decreased from 83% to about 81%.

The monthly minimum wage in Gaza Strip was (656 NIS) compared with (1,036 NIS) in the West Bank.

24% Unemployment rate in the 4^th quarter 2021

The unemployment rate among labour force participants (15 years and over) in the 4^th  quarter was about 24%, while the total underutilization of labour was about 32%, according to the revised International Labour Organization standards (ICLS-19th).

There is also still a large disparity in the unemployment rate between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as this rate reached 45% in Gaza Strip compared to 13% in the West Bank, as for the sex level, the unemployment rate for males in Palestine reached 20% compared to 39% for females.

The number of unemployed persons reached 349 thousands in the 4^th quarter of 2021; of which 225

thousand persons in Gaza Strip and 124 thousand person in the West Bank.

The participation rate in the labour force remained at the same level in the 4^th quarter about 44% compared to the 3^rd quarter 2021.  Also data indicated that this percentage remained at the same level about 46% in the West Bank, while it decreased in Gaza Strip from 41% to 40% during the same period.

The male participation rate in the labour force was 70% in the 4^th quarter 2021 compared to 69% in the 3^rd quarter of 2021, the female participation rate remained at the same level about 18% during the same period.

Within the same context, the total underutilisation reached 496 thousand person, as this number includes 64 thousand discouraged job seekers and 33 thousand in time-related underemployment.

Unemployment rate was the highest among youth graduates

About 50% is the unemployment rate of youth graduates (19-29) years who hold associate diploma certificate and above; 29% in the West Bank compared to 71% in Gaza Strip.