The PA (Palestinian Authority) Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday 29 Kislev that there are 12.7 million Palestinians worldwide, including 4.88 million in the West Bank and Gaza and an additional 1.53 million in Israel. The bureau adds that by the end of 2017, the number of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and areas of Israel will be equal to the number of Jews and by the end of 2020, the number of Jews in those areas will be 49.3%.

According to the figures, 5.59 million Palestinians live in Arab countries and an additional 696,000 live in other countries around the world. The bureau states 2.97 million Palestinians lives in the West Bank and an additional 1.91 million in Gaza of which 41.9% are refugees (26% in the West Bank and 66% in Gaza).

The report cites a drop in the birthrate in the West Bank and Gaza. From 2011-2013 the average women had 4.1 children while in 1999, the average was 5.9.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)