Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) issues a press release on the occasion of the "Palestinian Child's Day" April 5, 2014.  

The release includes a presentation on the latest data about the Palestinian child in the areas of demographic, education and culture, in addition to the conditions of the children who need special protection.

Children form almost half of the Palestinian society

In 2013, there were 2.08 million children under the age of 18, constituting 47.1 percent of the total population in Palestine: 45.0 percent in West Bank and 50.6 percent in Gaza Strip. Children under the age of five make up 14.8 percent; 13.0 percent of children are aged between 5-9 years; 12.2 percent are in the 10-14 years age group; and 7.1 percent are in the 15-17 year age group.

Data indicate that the Palestinian family is formed earlier with an average age of females at first marriage in Palestine 20.1 years and 24.6 years for males in 2012.

Females Childhood marriage

The percentage of females who married before the age of 18 is 21.9 of the total marriages contracts in 2012, which amounted to 40,292 contract: 20.0 percent in West Bank and 24.6 in Gaza Strip. While the percentage of females who have been divorced before the age of 18 is 9.7 of the total divorce cases in 2012, which amounted to 6,574 divorce case: 8.9 percent in West Bank and 10.7 in Gaza Strip.

Respiratory diseases is the main cause of infant deaths

In 2012, Ministry of Health data indicated that the main cause of infant deaths in West Bank was respiratory diseases by 36.7 percent (35.6% for males & 38.0% for females). Followed by pre-birth causes: (premature birth and underweight) by 17.5 percent (19.4% for males & 15.4% for females). In addition to Congenital malformations by 14.1 percent (13.5% for males & 14.8% for females) and in the fourth place comes heart disease by 9.0 percent (8.2% for males & 9.8% for females). 

As for the children's death under the age of five, Ministry of Health data in West Bank & during the same period clarified that the main cause for death is due to per-birth's diseases by 53.8 percent (52.8% of males & 54.9% of females).

Drop-out rate from elementary school higher among males

The number of students for 2012/2013 academic year in Palestine is about 1.136 million students , (990 thousands in the elementary level & 146 thousands in the secondary level). While the number of children enrolled in kindergarten in the same academic year is about 111 thousands boy and girl.

The drop-out rate from elementary school for the 2011/2012 academic year was 0.9 percent among male children compared to 0.5 percent among females. In secondary levels, the rate was 2.4 percent of males compared to 2.5 percent of females. 

Failure rates at elementary school level during 2011/2012 were 1.3 percent of males and 1.0 percent of females. At secondary level, the rate was 1.1 percent of males and 0.8 percent of females. 

Children spend seven hours daily on learning activities

Time use survey data 2012/2013 indicated that Children aged 10-17 years spend almost 6 hours & 56 minutes daily on learning activities (school enrollment classes, complete homework assignments, study for exams) of 7 hours & 19 minutes  for females compared to 6 hours & 33 minutes for males in the same age group. 

As for reading other learning activities, data showed that males from the same age group spend 35 minutes in reading (reading newspapers & magazines) compared to 45 minutes spend by females in this activity.

Children in the labor market

3.5 percent of all children aged 10-17 years were working, with or without pay, in 2013: 4.9 percent in West Bank and 1.4 percent in Gaza Strip. The number of male children engaged in work was higher than for females: 6.5 percent of male children compared to 0.3 percent of female children.  

The proportion of children attending school and also engaged in child labor was  1.6 percent: 2.5 percent in West Bank and 0.3 percent in Gaza Strip, and 3.1percent among male children enrolled in school compared to 0.2 percent among females. 

In 2013, the average of daily wage in NIS for children aged 10-17 years who works is 49.7 NIS and the weekly working hours are 44.5. 

Poverty greater among children in Gaza than in West Bank

The average poverty level among Palestinian households based on patterns of consumption was 20.7 percent in 2011: 14.5 percent in West Bank and 32.6 percent in Gaza Strip. Also, 27.2 percent of all children suffer from poverty: 18.5 percent in West Bank and 39.3 percent in Gaza Strip. Greater poverty is apparent in Gaza households with children: 56.5 percent of poor households have children versus 43.5 percent in West Bank.