World Happiness Report for Israel 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Israel: 5
- Happiness Score Israel:7.341
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Israel. IL.
Israel is a parliamentary democracy with a president and a prime minister.
- It is known for its rich cultural heritage, including its diverse cuisine and religious sites.
- Israel has a high-tech economy and is a global leader in technology and innovation.
- It is home to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, and the city of Jerusalem, which is considered holy by three major religions.
Israel – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History: The land of Israel has a rich and ancient history, with the earliest known settlements dating back to the Paleolithic period around 8000 BCE. The Canaanites, Israelites, Philistines, and other Semitic-speaking peoples inhabited the region in ancient times. The Kingdom of Israel emerged around the 11th century BCE, followed by the Kingdom of Judah in the south.
Kingdoms and Empires: The region has been ruled by various empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The Jewish Hasmonean dynasty ruled an independent kingdom from around 140 BCE to 63 BCE.
Colonial Period: After the Roman conquest and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Jewish population was dispersed, and the region came under the control of various empires, including the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic caliphates.
Independence and Modern Era: In the late 19th century, the Zionist movement emerged, advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the region. After World War II and the Holocaust, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition the British Mandate of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel has since faced several wars and conflicts with neighboring Arab states and Palestinian groups.
Current Political Situation: Israel is a parliamentary democracy with a multi-party system. The current Prime Minister is Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been in power since 2009. Recent elections have been marked by political instability and divisive issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and concerns over democratic backsliding.
International Relations: Israel maintains close ties with the United States and has warm relations with several countries, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. However, its relationships with many Arab and Muslim-majority nations remain tense due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and territorial disputes.
Human Development and Economy: Israel has a technologically advanced market economy and is a member of the OECD. Key industries include high-tech, pharmaceuticals, and diamond cutting. Israel ranks high on the Human Development Index but faces socioeconomic disparities between different segments of its population.
Cultural Highlights: Israel is a diverse and multicultural society, with a rich cultural heritage that blends Jewish traditions with influences from the Middle East and the broader Mediterranean region. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages, and the country is home to various religious and ethnic communities.
Conclusion: Israel faces ongoing challenges related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, regional tensions, and domestic political divisions. However, it also possesses significant economic and technological strengths, as well as a vibrant cultural fabric.
Main facts
1. Location
Israel is a country located in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
2. Map References
Israel is situated in Western Asia, part of the Levant region.
3. Area – Comparative
Israel has an area of approximately 22,072 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than the state of New Jersey.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Israel has land borders with the following countries and territories:
5. Coastline
Israel has a coastline of approximately 273 km along the Mediterranean Sea.
6. Maritime Claims
Israel claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
- Continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation
7. Climate
Israel has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. The climate varies with different geographic regions, ranging from temperate in the north to arid in the south.
8. Terrain
The terrain of Israel is diverse, featuring a coastal plain, highlands, and desert areas. The Negev Desert covers a significant portion of the southern part of the country, while the northern regions are characterized by mountains and valleys.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Israel is Mount Meron (1,208 m) in the Upper Galilee region, and the lowest point is the Dead Sea (-430 m), the lowest point on Earth’s surface.
10. Natural Resources
Israel’s natural resources include:
- Potash
- Copper ore
- Phosphate rock
- Magnesium bromide
- Clays
- Sand
11. Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Israel include:
- Mediterranean Sea
- Sea of Galilee (freshwater lake)
- Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and the West Bank)
- Jordan River (shared with Jordan, Syria, and the West Bank)
12. Natural Hazards
Israel is prone to the following natural hazards:
- Periodic droughts
- Sandstorms
- Seismic activity (earthquakes)
13. Geography – Notes
Israel is a small country with limited natural resources, particularly water resources. The country has made significant efforts to manage its water supply through desalination and other conservation measures. Additionally, the ongoing conflict with neighboring countries and the Palestinian territories has geopolitical implications on the country’s geography and borders.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 7.70%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 65,166. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 24.60%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 31.04605134.851612.
- Capital: The capital of Israel is Jerusalem
- Major Cities:
- Tel Aviv – population: 460,613
- Jerusalem – population: 890,277
- Haifa – population: 285,316
- Rishon LeZion – population: 251,581
- Petah Tikva – population: 248,005
- Population: 9,053,300
- Area(Km2): 22145
- Population Density( P/Km²):400. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:972
- Official Language(s):Israel is Hebrew (80%) and Arabic (20%).
- Currency: ILS
Main Economic Indicators
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, the economy is driven by the country’s highly skilled workforce and innovative technology sector. Key economic challenges include labor shortages, cost of living concerns, and geostrategic risks. Notable policies focus on privatization, liberalization, and attracting foreign direct investment.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
Inflation rates (consumer prices):
2022: 5.1% (Source: Bank of Israel)
2021: 1.9% (Source: Bank of Israel)
Credit Ratings
Credit ratings from major agencies:
Fitch: A+ (Stable)
Moody’s: A1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: AA- (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 0.8%
Industry: 26.6%
Services: 72.6%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Citrus fruits, vegetables, cotton, poultry, dairy, and cut flowers.
Industrial Products: High-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufacture, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals and metal products, chemical products, plastics, and diamond cutting and polishing.
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 4.21 million (2022 est.)
Ranking: 90th in the world
Current Account Balance
Current Account Balance (2021): $23.21 billion
Ranking: 16th in the world
Exports and Imports
Exports: $76.52 billion (2021)
Key Partners: United States, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium
Main Exports: Machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
Imports: $102.88 billion (2021)
Key Partners: United States, China, Germany, Turkey, Belgium
Main Imports: Raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $197.8 billion (February 2023)
Gold Reserves: 30.8 metric tons (November 2022)
- GDP (Current US$):$395,098,666,122. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 23.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 25.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.57. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $7.58. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 3.86%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Israeli(s), adjective – Israeli
2. Ethnic Groups
- Jewish 74.7%
- Arab 20.8%
- Other 4.5%
3. Religions
- Jewish 74.7%
- Muslim 17.7%
- Christian 2%
- Druze 1.6%
- Other 4%
4. Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 27.92%
- 15-64 years: 59.99%
- 65 years and over: 12.09%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 66.7
Youth dependency ratio: 43.4
Elderly dependency ratio: 23.3
6. Median Age
Total median age: 30.4 years
Male median age: 29.6 years
Female median age: 31.2 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
- Obesity rate: 26.1% of the adult population
- Alcohol consumption: 2.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
- Tobacco use: 19.6% of adults smoke tobacco
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 82.8. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 91.6%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:20.8. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:5. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 3.0. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 76.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 8,374,393. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):24.40%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) consist of the following main branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, and Navy. Israel also maintains elite special forces units like the Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13. The Israel Border Police and Israel National Police are paramilitary forces responsible for maintaining internal security and border control.
Military Expenditures
Israel’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2018: 4.3%
- 2019: 4.4%
- 2020: 5.6%
- 2021: 5.6%
- 2022: 6.5%
Israel ranks among the top 20 countries globally in terms of military spending as a percentage of GDP.
Personnel Strengths
Total active-duty military personnel: Approximately 170,000
- Ground Forces: 135,000
- Air Force: 35,000
- Navy: 9,000
The Israel Border Police and Israel National Police have an additional 60,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Israel’s military inventory includes domestically produced equipment like the Merkava main battle tank, Namer armored personnel carrier, and Iron Dome air defense system. It also operates imported hardware such as F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, Sa’ar corvettes, and Dolphin submarines. Significant future acquisitions include additional F-35 fighters and the development of advanced air defense systems.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Mandatory military service applies to Israeli citizens:
- Men: 18-21 years old, 32 months of service
- Women: 18-20 years old, 24 months of service
Israel also has various enlistment programs for non-citizens, including the Mahal program for overseas volunteers.
Military Deployments
Major overseas deployments include border security forces in the Golan Heights and small contingents supporting United Nations peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, Mali, and South Sudan.
Strategic Military Notes
Israel’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining a robust deterrent against potential threats from neighboring states and non-state actors. The IDF plays a key role in regional security and counterterrorism operations. Israel has close military cooperation with the United States and is a member of various defense partnerships, including the US-Israel Strategic Partnership.
- Armed Forces Size: 178000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 4.62
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.00%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.