The daily Maariv reports that while Finance Minister Yair Lapid this week used his Facebook page to sharply criticize Israelis who decide to leave Israel for an easier life elsewhere, life in Israel compared to many other countries is considerably more difficult. Many of the comments responding to the minister’s post explained that if Israelis could “finish the month” they would rush home.
Too many families, working families; are becoming working poor, earning salaries yet unable to afford the basics which includes food and energy costs (heating and air conditioning).
Average Monthly Salary in Dollars
Israel: 2,500
USA: 4,200
Germany: 5,300
Australia: 6,300
Norway: 7,200
Britain: 4,000
Ireland: 4,000
France: 3,800
Spain: 3,400
How Many Months Salary Does it Take to Buy an Apartment?
Israel: 138
USA: 65
Britain: 64
France: 76
Spain: 71
Holland: 59
Ireland: 55
Percentage of Monthly Salary Required for Rent
Israel: 45
Germany: 25
USA: 30
France: 28
Spain: 28
Britain: 32
Percentage of Monthly Salary Required for Food
Israel: 18
Germany: 9
France: 10
Britain: 12
USA: 12
Italy: 14
Spain: 14
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Germany with similar taxes to Israel,also gives and dishes out 5 times !! the Gov’t and social benefits (while paying for the EU’S messes)
Germany doesn’t worry about its security situation and so does not plow much money into its security forces; unlike Israel.
Life here is so much better than in the US; in Israel we can go out for a nightly stroll with out fear of being mugged or raped. We meet old friends and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee sitting outside.
We make new friends even on buses and enjoy affordable schooling for our children. Israel encourages having children; the US is becoming anti family and soon will begin to pay a large price for not being occupied in ‘pru ur’vu’.
Lapid rejects the Torah’s granting of Jewish rights to the land. So why should anyone stay there if he has only nationalistic motives. Without Torah perspective, there is no great deal being a citizen of Israel, become a German citizen and live with ease.
#1 Germany doesn’t have to spend so much on the military to protect its citizens from its barbaric neighbors.
Why is Lapid criticizing? The numbers speak for themselves. Having move to ISRAEL about a year ago, I hear so many people ask themselves why they did it. The food prices here are huge. Gas double the price. Cars double the price. Going out to eat — other than pizza is a big deal — unlike in America. Granted school is cheap , but you lose whatever you gain with the exorbitant taxes on income, real estate, food, gas, etc. As for the free medicine — you get what you pay for.
Actually, purely according to the article (I can’t attest to the veracity of the quoted stats), rent and food cost less in Israel than in USA