Israel: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Israel?

Israel's unemployment rate was 2.8% of the labour force in August 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey, as published in the Bank of Israel series database. The rate was 3.1% in January and July 2026.

The figure covers people aged 15 and over who had no work, were actively seeking it and were available to start. It does not count people who are not seeking work, so it can stay low even when participation falls. CBS notes that its survey definitions differ from those of the Employment Service and the National Insurance Institute, so their counts of jobseekers and benefit claimants differ from the survey rate.

Official sources: Bank of Israel series database

What is the average salary in Israel?

The average monthly wage per employee job of Israeli workers was NIS 14,437 in July 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to Central Bureau of Statistics data in the Bank of Israel series database. For the full year 2024, the Israel in Figures 2025 booklet gives NIS 13,455 for Israeli workers and NIS 7,813 for foreign workers.

The figures are gross wages per job, based mainly on employers' reports to the National Insurance Institute, so a person with two jobs is counted twice. Averages are pulled up by high earners, so most employees earn less than the average. Preliminary estimates come out about two months after the month the wages cover and are later revised.

Official sources: Bank of Israel series database · Israel in Figures 2025

What is the minimum wage in Israel?

The minimum wage in Israel is NIS 6,443.85 a month from 1 April 2026, according to the National Insurance Institute. The hourly minimum is NIS 34.64 on a 186-hour month and NIS 35.40 on a 182-hour month, and the daily minimum is NIS 297.40 for a five-day week.

The monthly minimum was NIS 5,880.02 from April 2024 and NIS 5,300 from 2017. The rate applies to adult employees; the Minimum Wage Law sets lower rates for young workers. The amounts are gross, before income tax and National Insurance contributions are deducted.

Official sources: National Insurance Institute

What is the retirement age in Israel?

The retirement age in Israel is 67 for men, and for women it is between 62 and 65 depending on date of birth, according to the National Insurance Institute. Women born from January 1970 onwards reach retirement age at 65; for women born in 1966 it is 64.

From retirement age, a person can receive the National Insurance old-age pension if they pass an income test; from a later age of entitlement it is paid without an income test. Pensions from work are not counted in the income test. The Institute's site has a calculator, in Hebrew, for individual dates.

Official sources: National Insurance Institute

How much is the old-age pension in Israel?

The basic National Insurance old-age pension is NIS 1,838 a month for an individual from 1 January 2026, according to the National Insurance Institute pension rates. It is NIS 1,941 for an individual aged 80 or older and NIS 2,762 for a couple.

These are the basic amounts. Increments are added for seniority (years of insurance), for deferring the pension and for dependants, and an income supplement is paid to pensioners with low incomes. The rates are updated each January. Occupational and private pension funds pay separately, and most employees also save in them.

Official sources: National Insurance Institute pension rates

What is Israel's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Israel at 5,880 ILS a month (about $1,589) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Israel earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Israel was $3,383 a month in 2021. No year since 2012 has been higher. It is 2nd highest of 5 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $475 a month. Worldwide: 20th of 90.

What is Israel's unemployment rate?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Israel at 3.5% in 2025. The peak was 11.3% in 2005 and the low 3.4% in 2023. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.3%, and Israel placed 14th highest of 21. Worldwide: 120th of 174.

How many young people in Israel are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Israel at 6.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 18.4%; its low point was 2023, at 5.9%. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 141st highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Israel?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Israel was 65.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 65.6%; its low point was 2005, at 61.8%. It is 6th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 54th highest.

What share of women in Israel are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 62.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 174.

What is the employment rate in Israel?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Israel at 63.2% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 6th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. World rank, highest first: 46th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Israel?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Israel at 7.7% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Worldwide: 155th of 174.

What share of jobs in Israel are salaried?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Israel was 88.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 88.8%; its low point was 2005, at 87.4%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Israel placed 8th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 19th highest.