عربي
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)
On the Occasion of the International Day of Older Persons 01/10/2023
The world celebrates the International Day of Older Persons on October 1st of each year in recognition of their efforts and to highlight the significant contributions made by the elderly for the society, in addition to raising awareness of the problems, obstacles and challenges that the elderly face.
Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations
6% of the Population in Palestine aged 60 Years and above
The Palestinian society is considered a young society, where the percentage of young people is high and the percentage of the elderly is relatively low. In mid-year 2023, the number of the elderly aged 60 and above 313 thousand persons in Palestine representing about 6% of the total population, at 206 thousand persons constitute about 6% of the total population in the West Bank, and 107 thousand persons constitute 5% of the total population in Gaza Strip.
Even though the percentage of the elderly will be increasing during the coming years in Palestine, their percentage will remain relatively low and would not exceed 6% during the current decade. It is expected to start increasing after the mid of next decade.
Percentage Distribution of Population in Palestine by Age Groups, mid-year 2023
Sources: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2023. Revised Estimates Based on the Final Results of Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017. Ramallah, Palestine.
The Increase of the Female Elderly Percentage against the Male Elderly Percentage
The number of the male elderly aged 60 years and above reached about 152 thousand in mid-year 2023 in Palestine, representing 5% of the total number of the males in Palestine, compared to 161 thousand female elderly, representing 6% of the total number of females, with a sex ratio of 95 males per 100 females.
One Household out of five Households is Headed by an Elderly Person
24% of households are headed by an elderly person in Palestine in 2022 (25% in the West Bank and 21% in Gaza Strip). The data indicated that the average size of the households headed by an elderly person is relatively small as it reached 3.4 individuals.
Average Household Size Headed by an Elderly Person in Palestine by Region, 2022
Sources: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2023. Revised Estimates Based on the Results of Labor Force Survey 2022, and Final Results of Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017. Ramallah, Palestine.
About half of the elderly females are married compared to 92% of the males
92% of the male elderly in Palestine are married compared to 48% of the female elderly who are married. The percentage of the elderly widowed males reached 7% compared to 42% of the elderly widowed females in 2022, knowing that the percentage of the elderly widowed males in 2007 in Palestine was 8%, compared to 43% among the female elderly.
About 71% of the elderly suffer from chronic diseases
About 71% of the elderly suffer from chronic diseases, about 72% in the West Bank compared to 69% in Gaza Strip. This percentage reached about 66% among males and 76% among females
One out of five of the elderly is a smoker
About 21% of the elderly were smokers, as this percentage reached about 38% among the elderly male smokers and about 5% of the elderly female smokers, and the percentage of the elderly smokers in the West Bank was about 26% (about 45% among males and 8% among females), and about 12% of the elderly in Gaza Strip were smokers (about 25% among males and 1% among females).
17% of the Elderly in Palestine Hold an Intermediate Diploma and Higher
About 30% of the elderly did not complete any educational stage; 19% among males and 41% among females, whereas the percentage of the elderly who completed intermediate diploma degree and higher did not exceed 17% in 2022.
Educational status data for the year 2022 showed that there is a marked difference in percentage between males and females regarding educational attainment levels. In a sense, the percentage of the male elderly who obtained intermediate diploma and higher in Palestine reached 26% compared to 10% of the female elderly. Also, the percentage of individuals aged 18 years and above who obtained intermediate diploma and higher reached 26% of the total population that aged 18 years and above in Palestine (24% among males and 29% among females).
Variation in Participation Rates of the Elderly in Labour Market in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Data showed that the participation percentage of the elderly in labour force during 2022 was 15% (20% in the West Bank and 6% in Gaza Strip).
More than Three Quarters of the Elderly Own Mobile Phone
Data showed that the percentage of the elderly (60 years and above) who own a mobile phone reached 79% in Palestine in 2022, (83% in the West Bank and 72% in Gaza strip). The survey results also showed that there is a gender gap regarding owning a mobile phone, where this percentage reached 87% for the male elderly compared to 72% for the female elderly. While the percentage of the elderly who own a smart phone was 55% in Palestine in 2022, (64% in the West Bank and 39% in Gaza Strip). According to sex, this percentage reached 58% for the male elderly compared to 53% for the female elderly.
More than Half of the Elderly Use the Internet
56% of the elderly use internet from anywhere in Palestine in 2022, (62% in the West Bank and 45% in Gaza Strip). According to sex, this percentage reached 61% for the male elderly and 52% for the female elderly.