According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, unemployment in Israel in the last quarter of 2008 reached 6.3%, as compared to 6% in the previous quarter. Experts predict that during 2009, that figure will reach 9%, bringing the number of unemployed to about 300,000. The number of unemployed dropped in 2008 to 177,000.

The number of employed Israelis increased in 2008 by 95,000, with 87,000 of that number finding fulltime employment. The total number of employed was recorded at 2.777 million, an increase of 3.5% as compared to 2007. Employment among Israelis over 15 reached 53.1% compared to 52.2% in 2007. Employment in the 25-64-year-old category reached 71% in 2008.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)