Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) 

Decrease in the number of building licenses in Palestine in the First quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of  2025

The total number of  building licenses issued in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by 13% compared with the fourth quarter of  2025, and increased by 27% compared with the first quarter of 2025, at the same time the number of new building licenses decreased by 12% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, while it increased by 46% compared with the first quarter of 2025.

A total of 1,841 building licenses were issued in the first quarter of 2026, of which 1,194 are new buildings. 

The area of licensed buildings (residential and non-residential) totaled 1,051 thousand m², of which new buildings made up 884 thousand m² and existing buildings comprised 167 thousand m².

The total number of licensed dwellings was 4,030 with a total area of 668 thousand m², of which 3,465 were new dwellings with a total area of 574 thousand m² and 565 were existing dwellings with a total area of 94 thousand m². 

The number of new dwellings in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by 6% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, while it increased by 50% compared with the first quarter of 2025.

Number of Building Licenses Issued in Palestine* during the period,

First Quarter 2025 – First Quarter 2026

*Data excluded those parts of Jerusalem, which were annexed by Israeli occupation in 1967.

Notice:

In Gaza Strip, there are no licenses issued for this quarter due to the Israeli aggression against it.