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Labour Force Survey
Press Release on the Results of Survey
October - December, 1998
In its efforts to provide official
statistical data at the national level, and in view of the fact that developmental and
social planning in Palestine requires a supply of credible statistics in all sectors of
Palestinian society, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) is conducting a
labour force survey programme, comprised of series of household surveys on labour force on
a biannual basis. The surveys are conducted on a quarterly (every 3 months) basis the
first one was conducted in July 1996.
Data were collected in the period 10
October, 1998 to 8 January, 1999. The study is based on a sample of about 7,631 household
for each quarter of the year.
The data consists of the main statistical
indicators related to the Palestinian labour force, and the analysis of the main
characteristics of the Palestinian labour force pertaining to the following: labour force
distribution, occupation, industry, number of working hours and wages. The data covering
unemployment and its main characteristics, and the unemployed and their distribution by
age, sex and education. As well, survey studies underemployment.
The survey provided 30 employment
opportunities in the area of households listing, in addition to the training of 30
individuals during the course of the survey.
The main findings of the survey show that
the labour force participation rate (LFPR) in the Palestinian Territories reached 42.5% of
which 45.0% in the West Bank and 37.4% in the Gaza Strip.
The unemployment rate reached 21.1% in the
Gaza Strip and 9.4% in the West Bank.
On the other hand, the underemployment rate
in the Gaza Strip is 2.4% and in the West Bank 7.1%. This means that the combined
unemployment and underemployment rate was 18.5% in the Palestinian Territories, 23.5% in
the Gaza Strip and 16.5% in the West Bank.
The percentage of Palestinians employed in
Israel and Israeli Settlements 21.8%. The percentage of persons employed in industry is as
follows: 12.5% in agriculture, 15.7% in mining, quarrying and manufacturing, 18.1% in
commerce, hotels and restaurants, 4.5% in communication, storage and transportation, 23.0%
in construction and 26.2% in services and other branches.
Finally, the survey’s plan fully
follows the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards
and recommendations, taking into account the characteristics the Palestinian society. The
survey provides data which may be used the various PNA ministries, research institutions,
as well as independent researchers.
Main Findings
Population aged 15 years and above
- The percentage of population aged 15 years and higher is
53.1%
- The labour force participation rate reached 42.5% in the
Palestinian Territory, 45.0% in the West Bank and 37.4% in
Gaza Strip
The distribution of labour force
participants by labour force components and region is as follows:
Region |
Full Employment |
Underemployment |
Unemployment |
Total (%) |
West Bank |
83.5 |
7.1 |
9.4 |
100% |
Gaza Strip |
76.5 |
2.4 |
21.1 |
100% |
Palestinian Territory |
81.5 |
5.7 |
12.8 |
100% |
|
3-3 Employment
Employed persons are distributed by
employment status as follows:
Employment Status |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Employer |
7.1 |
4.6 |
6.4 |
Self Employed |
19.8 |
18.5 |
19.5 |
Wage Employee |
63.7 |
70.4 |
65.5 |
Unpaid Family Member |
9.4 |
6.5 |
8.6 |
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Employed Persons in the Palestinian
Territory are Distributed by Industry and Region as Follows:
Industry |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Agriculture, fishing and forestry |
14.0 |
8.5 |
12.5 |
Mining, quarrying and manufacturing |
16.1 |
14.5 |
15.7 |
Construction |
24.2 |
19.8 |
23.0 |
Commerce, restaurants and hotels |
18.6 |
16.8 |
18.1 |
Transportation, storage and communication |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
Services and other branches |
22.6 |
35.9 |
26.2 |
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Work days and hours and wages
The average weekly work hours, average
monthly work days and average daily wage per employee according to Place of Work are as
follows:
|
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Israel and Settlements |
Average weekly work hours |
46.0 |
44.0 |
47.0 |
Average monthly work days |
23.0 |
24.0 |
20.0 |
Median daily net wage in NIS |
53.9 |
40.0 |
100.0 |
Average daily net wage in NIS |
60.8 |
48.1 |
101.8 |
|
3-4 Unemployment
- The unemployment rate in the Palestinian Territory
reached 12.8% on average specifically 9.4% in West Bank and 21.1% in Gaza Strip.
Distribution of Unemployment by Age and
Sex:
Age |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
15-19 |
21.3 |
17.7 |
21.0 |
20-24 |
16.5 |
29.3 |
18.3 |
25-29 |
12.7 |
18.5 |
13.5 |
30-34 |
10.6 |
13.3 |
10.9 |
35-39 |
9.3 |
6.6 |
9.0 |
40-44 |
9.4 |
3.6 |
8.6 |
45-49 |
10.4 |
1.9 |
9.0 |
50+ |
9.0 |
1.0 |
7.7 |
Over all Average |
12.7 |
13.3 |
12.8 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by Age and
Region:
Age |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
15-19 |
16.3 |
34.8 |
21.0 |
20-24 |
13.7 |
28.5 |
18.3 |
25-29 |
9.5 |
23.8 |
13.5 |
30-34 |
8.9 |
16.4 |
10.9 |
35-39 |
6.3 |
14.4 |
9.0 |
40-44 |
5.3 |
16.1 |
8.6 |
45-49 |
6.1 |
14.3 |
9.0 |
50+ |
5.1 |
15.5 |
7.7 |
Over all Average |
9.6 |
21.4 |
12.8 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by years of
schooling and Sex:
years of schooling |
Male (%) |
Female (%) |
Total (%) |
0 |
9.2 |
0.6 |
5.6 |
1-6 |
14.5 |
3.7 |
13.3 |
7-9 |
12.5 |
9.9 |
12.3 |
10-12 |
13.6 |
12.6 |
13.5 |
13+ |
10.3 |
22.2 |
13.2 |
Over all Average |
12.7 |
13.3 |
12.8 |
|
Distribution of Unemployment by years of
schooling and Region:
Years of Schooling |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Total (%) |
0 |
3.0 |
16.4 |
5.6 |
1-6 |
9.0 |
22.8 |
13.3 |
7-9 |
9.7 |
20.4 |
12.3 |
10-12 |
9.8 |
22.4 |
13.5 |
13+ |
10.1 |
19.1 |
13.2 |
Over all Average |
9.4 |
21.1 |
12.8 |
|
3-5 Persons outside labour force
- The percentage of persons outside labour force in
the Palestinian Territory reached 57.5% of which 55.0% in the West Bank and 62.6% in Gaza
Strip.
Persons outside labour force in the
Palestinian Territory are distributed by reason and region as follows:
Reason |
West Bank (%) |
Gaza Strip (%) |
Palestinian Territory (%) |
Old/ill |
12.3 |
9.8 |
11.4 |
Home making |
53.9 |
52.8 |
53.5 |
Studying or training |
23.4 |
28.8 |
25.4 |
Others |
10.4 |
8.6 |
9.7 |
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
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3-6 Labour Force Status: Further details
Population in the working age (15 years and
above) are distributed according to the ILO standard classification of labour force
framework by sex and labour force status as follows:
Region and Sex |
Employed |
Under-
employed |
Unemployed |
Total |
Labour Force |
Outside
Labour Force |
West Bank |
Male |
83.0 |
7.8 |
9.2 |
100 |
73.6 |
26.4 |
Female |
86.4 |
3.2 |
10.4 |
100 |
14.4 |
85.6 |
Total |
83.5 |
7.1 |
9.4 |
100 |
45.0 |
55.0 |
Gaza Strip |
Male |
76.8 |
2.6 |
20.6 |
100 |
66.0 |
34.0 |
Female |
72.6 |
1.0 |
26.4 |
100 |
6.3 |
93.7 |
Total |
76.5 |
2.4 |
21.1 |
100 |
37.4 |
62.6 |
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The circumstances of the Palestinian labour
market assume taking into account the detailed information concerning the activity status
of population in the working age. The following table presents the relative distribution
of population in the working age by activity status.
Population 15 Years and Above by region and Labor Force
Status: Perentage
| Labour Force
Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian
Territory |
| Both Sexes |
|
| population
aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
55.1 |
49.6 |
53.1 |
| Full employment
(working full time: 35 hours and above) |
37.7 |
28.6 |
34.6 |
| Working less than
usual (lack of employment) |
0.7 |
0.2 |
0.5 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
2.5 |
0.7 |
1.9 |
| Did not work and
seeking job |
4.2 |
7.9 |
5.4 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
5.7 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Did not work
– old or ill |
6.7 |
6.1 |
6.5 |
| Did not work
– Home duties |
29.5 |
33.1 |
30.8 |
| Did not work
– Students |
13.0 |
18.0 |
14.7 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
44.9 |
50.4 |
46.9 |
| Total
Population |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| Male |
|
| Population
aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
54.7 |
49.2 |
52.7 |
| Full employment
(working full time: 35 hours and above) |
61.1 |
50.8 |
57.6 |
| Working less than
usual (lack of employment) |
1.3 |
0.3 |
1.0 |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
4.4 |
1.3 |
3.4 |
| Did not work and
seeking job |
6.8 |
13.6 |
9.1 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
7.9 |
9.0 |
8.3 |
| Did not work
– old or ill |
6.5 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Did not work
– Home duties |
0.4 |
0.3 |
0.4 |
| Did not work
– Students |
11.6 |
18.7 |
13.9 |
| Population
less than 15 years |
45.3 |
50.8 |
47.3 |
| Total
Population |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| Female |
|
| Population
aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
55.5 |
50.0 |
53.5 |
| Full employment
(working full time: 35 hours and above) |
12.4 |
4.6 |
9.8 |
| Working less than
usual (lack of employment) |
- |
- |
- |
| Working in poor
conditions or for insufficient income |
0.4 |
- |
0.3 |
| Did not work and
seeking job |
1.6 |
1.8 |
1.6 |
| Did not work and
did not seek job due to discouragement |
3.4 |
1.5 |
2.8 |
| Did not work
– old or ill |
7.0 |
6.3 |
6.8 |
| Did not work
– Home duties |
61.0 |
68.6 |
63.5 |
| Did not work
– Students |
14.2 |
17.2 |
15.2 |
| population
less than 15 years |
44.5 |
50.0 |
46.5 |
| Total
Population |
100% |
100% |
100% |
(-) means there is no enough observations in this group.
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The following table presents the estimated absoulute number
of distribution of population in the working age by activity status.
Population 15 Years and Above by region and Labor Force
Status: Absolute Numbers
| Labour Force
Status |
West Bank |
Gaza Strip |
Palestinian
Territory |
| Both Sexes |
|
| population
aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
1,034,000 |
522,000 |
1,556,000 |
| Full employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
390,000 |
149,000 |
539,000 |
| Working less than usual (lack of employment) |
7,000 |
1,000 |
8,000 |
| Working in poor conditions or for insufficient income |
26,000 |
4,000 |
30,000 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
43,000 |
41,000 |
84,000 |
| Did not work and did not seek job due to discouragement |
59,000 |
28,000 |
87,000 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
69,000 |
32,000 |
101,000 |
| Did not work – Home duties |
306,000 |
173,000 |
479,000 |
| Did not work – Students |
134,000 |
94,000 |
228,000 |
| Population less than 15 years |
843,000 |
530,000 |
1,373,000 |
| Total Population |
1,877,000 |
1,052,000 |
2,929,000 |
| Male |
|
| Population aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
519,000 |
261,000 |
780,000 |
| Full employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
317,000 |
133,000 |
450,000 |
| Working less than usual (lack of employment) |
7,000 |
1,000 |
8,000 |
| Working in poor conditions or for insufficient income |
23,000 |
3,000 |
26,000 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
35,000 |
35,000 |
70,000 |
| Did not work and did not seek job due to discouragement |
41,000 |
23,000 |
64,000 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
34,000 |
16,000 |
50,000 |
| Did not work – Home duties |
2,000 |
1,000 |
3,000 |
| Did not work – Students |
60,000 |
49,000 |
109,000 |
| Population less than 15 years |
430,000 |
269,000 |
699,000 |
| Total Population |
949,000 |
530,000 |
1,479,000 |
| Female |
|
| Population aged 15 years and over ( Man Power) |
515,000 |
261,000 |
776,000 |
| Full employment (working full time: 35 hours and above) |
64,000 |
12,000 |
76,000 |
| Working less than usual (lack of employment) |
- |
- |
- |
| Working in poor conditions or for insufficient income |
2,000 |
- |
2,000 |
| Did not work and seeking job |
8,000 |
5,000 |
13,000 |
| Did not work and did not seek job due to discouragement |
18,000 |
4,000 |
22,000 |
| Did not work – old or ill |
36,000 |
16,000 |
52,000 |
| Did not work – Home duties |
314,000 |
179,000 |
493,000 |
| Did not work – Students |
73,000 |
45,000 |
118,000 |
| population less than 15 years |
413,000 |
261,000 |
674,000 |
| Total Population |
928,000 |
522,000 |
1,450,000 |
(-) means there is no enough observations in this group.
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