عربي
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)
On the Occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (01/10/2025)
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, and under the theme "Empowering the Voices of Older Persons for an Inclusive Future," the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) highlights the conditions of older persons (60 years and above) in the Palestinian society. The world celebrates the International Day of Older Persons on October 1st of each year in recognition of their efforts and the importance of involving older persons in decision-making, urging policymakers and communities to empower the voices of older persons and give them dignity. Empowerment and inclusion aim to build societies in which older persons are active contributors and whose voices guide community development.
International Day of Older Persons in Palestine comes at a time of the continued Israeli aggression against Gaza Strip and the ongoing violation of human rights. Since October 7th, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have been waging a war of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip along with committing massacres and destruction of buildings, facilities, and infrastructure there, in light of the lack of basic health and food services, with more than 65 thousand martyrs, constituting 2.9% of the total population of Gaza Strip, who were residing in Gaza Strip on the eve of the Israeli aggression, of whom about 7% are elderly. Moreover, about 2 million Palestinians left their homes, out of about 2.2 million Palestinians, who were residing in Gaza Strip on the eve of the Israeli occupation aggression. However, the longer-term damage resulting from this Israeli aggression, which will have negative and profound economic, demographic, social, and psychological impacts that will affect most of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip, and the expectations indicate that it will last for longer periods after the end of the war. The number of martyrs in the West Bank reached 1,042, of whom approximately 1.3% were elderly. The majority of martyrs were young people and children, with the percentage of martyrs under the age of 30 reaching approximately 75%.
The Demographic Reality of the Elderly in Palestine on the Eve of the Israeli Occupation Aggression
According to revised population estimates issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the population was estimated at approximately 5.5 million in mid-2025, of whom approximately 336,000 are elderly (60 years and above), representing 6% of the total population. More than 108,000 elderly in Gaza Strip, constituting 5% of the population of Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, their number reached approximately 228,000 elderly, representing 6% of the population of the West Bank. The sex ratio among the elderly reached approximately 93 males per 100 females, reflecting the higher number of females compared to males due to the higher mortality rates among men.
Even though the percentage of the elderly is expected to increase in Palestine over the coming years, it will remain relatively low and will not exceed 6% during the current decade. It is expected to start increasing after the middle of the next decade.
Unprecedented Decline in the Population of Gaza Strip
Under the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7th, 2023, Gaza Strip has witnessed an unprecedented population decline, due to the high number of martyrs and missing persons, and thousands of Palestinians have also left Gaza Strip since the beginning of the aggression, along with a sharp decline in birth rates.
According to recent population estimates, the population of Gaza Strip decreased to about 2,129,724 people for 2024, representing a 6% decrease compared to the population estimates of mid-2024. It also decreased to reach 2,114,301 people in mid-2025, representing a 10% decrease compared to the estimates, previously prepared before the Israeli aggression, for the same period.
Percentage Distribution of Population in Palestine by Age Groups, at the Mid-Year 2025
Sources: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2025. Revised Estimates Based on the Final Results of the Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017. Ramallah, Palestine.
18% of the Elderly in the West Bank Hold an Intermediate Diploma or Higher
Illiteracy rate among the elderly in the West Bank reached 13% (4% among males and 22% among females) in 2024.
Whereas the percentage of the elderly who completed an intermediate diploma degree or higher did not exceed 18% in 2024. Educational status data for 2024 showed that there is a marked difference in percentage between males and females regarding educational attainment levels. In a sense, the percentage of male elderly who obtained an intermediate diploma or higher in the West Bank reached 25% compared to 11% of female elderly. Also, the percentage of individuals aged 18 years and above who obtained an intermediate diploma or higher reached 25% of the total population aged 18 years and above in the West Bank (21% among males and 30% among females).
Gender Disparity in the Labor Force Participation Rate of Older Persons
The labor force participation rate among older persons in the West Bank reached 18% in 2024 (33% among males and 4% among females).