10 answers, 4 from Israel's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
81.7% of matriculation examinees in Israel were entitled to a matriculation (bagrut) certificate in 2023/24, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025.
The share is of students who sat the exams, not of all young people of that age; the Ministry of Education also publishes eligibility as a share of all pupils in the age group, which is lower. Eligibility requires passing a set of exams with a minimum number of study units, and the ministry publishes results for each school.
302,900 students studied at universities, academic colleges and colleges of education in Israel in 2023/24, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025. 215,800 were first degree students, 67,400 second degree and 12,400 doctoral students.
The total does not include the Open University, which had 43,700 first degree students. 90,900 degrees were awarded in the year: 57,100 first degrees, 28,100 second degrees and 2,000 doctorates. The Council for Higher Education publishes data by institution.
1.99 million pupils studied in Israeli schools in 2023/24, 1.15 million in primary and 833,000 in secondary education, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025. Schools had 205,700 teaching staff.
A further 895,200 children aged 0 to 7 were in day care centres and pre-primary education. The school system is divided into Hebrew education, including state, state-religious and ultra-Orthodox schools, and Arab education. 18,200 pupils in grades 7 to 12, 2.0%, dropped out during the year.
National expenditure on education in Israel was NIS 158.9 billion in 2024, 8.0% of GDP, up from NIS 150.0 billion in 2023, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025.
National expenditure covers all levels, from pre-primary to higher education, and both public and private spending, such as fees paid by households. The share of GDP was the same as in 2023. The OECD publishes international comparisons of spending per pupil each year.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Israel at 97.0% in 2017. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 97.5%; its low point was 2011, at 96.7%. It is 6th highest of 15 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 95.2%. World rank, highest first: 35th of 134.
In 2024, gross secondary school enrolment in Israel was 98.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 99.3%; its low point was 2009, at 96.0%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 95.1%, and Israel placed 6th highest of 13. Of 100 countries with 2024 data, 39th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Israel was 56.3% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 54.7% (2006) to 64.2% (2012). It is 4th highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 48.2%. Worldwide: 40th of 90.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2022, is 5.9% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 6.5% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at 5.3% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 4.5% of GDP; Israel is 3rd highest of 12. Worldwide: 25th of 155.
12: that is the number of primary pupils per teacher in Israel for 2016, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 21; Israel is 14th highest of 18. Of 136 countries with 2016 data, 111th highest.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in Israel was 97.0%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 102.7%; its low point was 2016, at 94.8%. It is 6th highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 97.0%. Worldwide: 47th of 104.
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