Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

"Palestinian Children are Victims of Continuing Israeli Violence and Violations"

The Palestinian Child Day 05/04/2016

Almost half of the population are children

The number of children below 18 years in Palestine was estimated at 2,165,288 in 2015, including 1,105,663 males and 1,059,625 females. The number of children in the West Bank reached 641,557 males and 615,493 females while in the Gaza Strip male children accounted for 464,106 compared to 444,132 female children.

Noticeable Increase in the Number of Children Detained

About 2,179 children aged 11 – 18 years were detained in 2015. This is an increase by 72.1% compared to 2014. This figure is unprecedented compared to previous years. However, the increase is a trend since 1,266 children were detained in 2014 showing an increase by 36.0% compared to 2013.

32 martyrs of children

The number of martyrs reached 181 martyrs during the year 2015 were 32 martyrs of children and 9 women and 26 martyrs in the Gaza Strip, while the number of injured has risen during the year 2015 about 16,620 wounded.

Children are the Most Harmed by Israeli Violations Social Cash Assistance

The assaults against citizens and expropriation of land as well as house demolition and displacement of residents in the West Bank have increased in 2015. Israel demolished 645 houses and establishments, displacing and harming 2,180 people including 1,109 children in the West Bank Governorates including Jerusalem. It also destroyed another 780 houses and establishments.

Assaults on Schools and Infrastructure

In 2014, Israel soldiers and settlers had attacked 72 schools. 21,882 students and 1,332 teachers suffered as a result of these aggressions not to mention material losses, total or partial destruction of school property following breaking, sabotaging and onslaughts.

Rise in the Percentage of Child Labor for the Age Group 15-17 years

The percentage of children aged 10-14 years who are working reached 2.0% in 2015, compared to 2.1% in 2012. However, for the age group 15-17 the percentage of children at work reached 9.0% in 2015, showing an increase from its 2012 level 7.7%. The percentage of children working and not enrolled in education reached 15.5% and 33.7% of all children not enrolled to education for each age group respectively for the year 2015. The percentage of children enrolled in education for the same age groups reached 1.6% and 3.6% of the total number of children enrolled in education for both age groups respectively.

The number of children who received social assistance in the West Bank reached 58,544 compared to 193,505 in the Gaza Strip for the year 2015. The number of children who receive cash assistance for a chronic illness reached 4,486 in the West Bank and 9,021 in the Gaza strip. On the other hand, 3,994 children suffer disabilities and receive cash assistance in the West Bank compared to 7,149 in the Gaza Strip.