Israel: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Israel?

Life expectancy at birth in Israel was 81.4 years for men and 85.5 years for women in 2024, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025. For men it rose from 81.0 years in 2023.

These figures exclude soldiers and civilians killed in the war that began on 7 October 2023; including them, life expectancy was 81.1 years for men and 85.5 for women in 2024. A May 2026 CBS release on the Muslim population gives 77.4 years for Muslim men and 83.1 for Muslim women in 2025.

Official sources: Israel in Figures 2025 · release on the Muslim population

How many doctors does Israel have per person?

Israel had 3.5 physicians employed in health services per 1,000 residents in 2023, similar to 2022, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025. There were 5.6 nurses per 1,000 residents, down from 5.7 in 2022.

The figures count physicians who work in health services, not everyone licensed to practise, so they are lower than counts of licensed doctors. The same source gives 1.7 general hospital beds per 1,000 residents in 2024. International comparisons are published by the OECD, which uses similar but not identical definitions.

Official sources: Israel in Figures 2025

How much does Israel spend on health?

National expenditure on health in Israel was NIS 146.0 billion in 2024, 7.3% of GDP, compared with NIS 138.7 billion and 7.4% of GDP in 2023, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025.

National expenditure includes public spending through the four health funds under the State Health Insurance Law and private spending by households, such as supplementary insurance and private care. CBS notes that Israel's national expenditure on health as a share of GDP was lower than the OECD average in 2022.

Official sources: Israel in Figures 2025

What are the main causes of death in Israel?

Cancer caused 23.5% of deaths in Israel in 2023, up from 22.6% in 2022, and heart disease caused 12.2%, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025. 1,337 soldiers and civilians were killed in the Iron Swords War from 7 October to the end of 2023, 2.5% of all deaths that year.

Cause of death data are compiled by CBS from death notifications and are published with a lag of about two years. The same source gives an infant mortality rate of 2.5 per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 2.7 in 2023.

Official sources: Israel in Figures 2025

How many people smoke in Israel?

17.0% of people aged 21 and over in Israel smoked every day, according to the 2023-2024 KAP Survey of the Israel Centre for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, summarised in the Central Bureau of Statistics booklet Israel in Figures 2025.

The same survey found 54.4% of adults aged 21 and over were overweight or obese, 18.2% were obese, and 33.7% did the recommended amount of physical activity. Data collection began after 7 October 2023 and ran to September 2024, so the results reflect behaviour during the war.

Official sources: Israel in Figures 2025

What is life expectancy in Israel?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Israel was 83.2 years in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 77.3 years; Israel is 2nd highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 13th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Israel?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Israel at 2.7 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 11.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 171st highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Israel?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Israel was 2.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.5 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 188th highest.

What share of GDP does Israel spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Israel was 7.1% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 7.8% of GDP in 2021 and the low 6.7% of GDP in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 5.6% of GDP; Israel is 7th highest of 22. Worldwide: 80th of 191.

How much do people in Israel pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Israel was 20.5%, according to the WHO. The peak was 30.2% in 2005 and the low 17.5% in 2021. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 32.7%, and Israel placed 16th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 124th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Israel have?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Israel was 3.8 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.0 per 1,000; Israel is 1st highest of 7. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 12th highest.

How many hospital beds does Israel have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 3.1 per 1,000. The peak was 3.9 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 3.0 per 1,000 in 2021. It is 1st highest of 8 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.2 per 1,000. Worldwide: 32nd of 73.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Israel?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Israel at 98.0% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 94.0% (2005) to 99.0% (2019). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 96.0%; Israel is 6th highest of 22. Worldwide: 20th of 191.