The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the National Population Committee issued a press release regarding the conditions of the population in Palestine, on the International Population Day on July 11, 2016.

According to the press release, the total population of Palestine at mid 2016 was about 4.81 million; 2.45 million of whom were males and 2.36 million of whom were females.

The estimated population in the West Bank was 2.93 million, of whom 1.49 million were males and 1.44 million were females. The estimated population in the Gaza Strip totaled 1.88 million, of whom 956,000 were males and 925,000 were females. The percentage of urban population at mid 2016 was 73.9%, while the percentages of population in rural and camp areas were 16.6% and 9.5% respectively.

Palestinian Population in the Gaza Strip is Younger than the West Bank Population

The percentage of individuals aged (0-14) constituted 39.2% of the total population at mid 2016; 36.9% of them live the West Bank and 42.8% in the Gaza Strip.  The elderly population aged (65 years and over) constituted 2.9% of the total population, 3.2% pg whom live in the West Bank and 2.4% in the Gaza Strip.

High Population Density in the Gaza Strip

Population density of Palestine is generally high at 800 persons/km². The population density in the Gaza Strip was 5,154 persons/km², while in the West Bank it reached 519 persons/km² at mid 2016.

High Fertility Rates in the Gaza Strip compared to the West Bank

According to results of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2014, the total fertility rate in Palestine declined to 4.1 births (2011-2013) in comparison with 6.0 births in 1997. At the regional level, the fertility rate in the Gaza Strip is higher than that in the West Bank during the period between (1997-2013). It reached 3.7 births during the period between (2011-2013) in the West Bank in comparison with 5.6 births in 1997. In the Gaza Strip, it reached 4.5 births during the period between (2011-2013) in comparison with 6.9 births in 1997.

Decline in Crude Birth and Death Rates During (2016-2020)

Population projections revealed that crude birth rate in Palestine is expected to drop from 30.9 births per 1000 person in 2016 to 29.0 births per 1000 person in 2020.  On the other hand, the crude death rate is expected to decline from 3.5 deaths per 1000 person in 2016 to 3.4 deaths per 1000 person in 2020 in Palestine.

Decline in the Average Household Size

Data revealed a decline in the average household size in Palestine during the period between (1997-2015) from 6.4 persons in 1997 to 5.2 in 2015.  This average declined in the West Bank from 6.1 persons in 1997 to 4.9 in 2015, while it declined in the Gaza Strip from 6.9 persons to 5.7.

One out of ten Households is Headed by a Female

Data of 2015 showed that 10.9% of households were headed by females in Palestine; 12.2% and 8.6% of houses are headed by females in the West Bank and Gaza Strip respectively.  The size of female-headed households was relatively small, with an average size of 2.9 persons in comparison with 5.7 persons for male-headed households.

Female Participation Rate in the Labor Force is very Low in Comparison to Males in 1st Quarter of 2016

The results of the labor force survey revealed that the labor force participation rate in the 1st quarter of 2016 was 45.8% of the total labor force (Persons aged 15 years and above). The labor participation rate reached 45.5% in the West Bank and 46.4% in the Gaza strip.  Moreover, during the 1st quarter of 2016, female participation rate in the labor force was very low in comparison with male participation rate, standing at 19.4%. Female participation rate reached 17.7% in the West Bank and 22.3% in the Gaza Strip. Male participation rate, on the other hand, reached 71.6; 72.6% of which was in the West Bank and 69.9% in the Gaza Strip.

About One Fourth of Participants in the Labor Force were Unemployed in 1st Quarter of 2016

The results showed that more than one fourth (26.6%) of participants in the labor force were unemployed in the 1st quarter of 2016, 18.0% of whom live in the West Bank and 41.2% in the Gaza Strip. Unemployment rate reached 42.8% among females in comparison with 22.3% among males.

9.2% of Individuals (15 years and above) Did not Complete any Stage of Education

The 2015 data revealed that the percentage of individuals (aged 15 years and above) who have completed a university education (a bachelor degree and above), was 13.0% while the percentage of individuals who didn't complete any stage of education reached 9.2%.

Female Illiteracy Rate was Three and Half Times Higher than that of Males

Illiteracy rate among individuals aged 15 years and over in Palestine was 3.3% in 2015.  Illiteracy gap is significantly noticed among males and females, standing at 1.5% and 5.1% respectively.

More than Three-Quarters of Housing Units in Palestine are Owned by a Family Member

In 2015, the percentage of Palestinian households where a family member owned a housing unit was about 80.9%, 81.9% of whom was in the West Bank and 79.0% in the Gaza Strip. The percentage of households living in rented houses in Palestine was 7.8%, 8.9% of whom was in the West Bank and 5.7% in the Gaza Strip.

93.3% of Palestinian Households Connected to Water Public Network as Main Source

Available data for 2015 showed that 93.3% of households in Palestine lived in houses that are supplied with drinking water from a public network, 93.4% of whom were in the West Bank and 93.0% in the Gaza Strip.  Moreover, almost all households in Palestine lived in houses connected to an electricity network.

More Than Half of Palestinian Families Living in Houses Connected to Public Sewerage Network

Data of 2015 showed that about 45.3% of Palestinian households were living in houses connected to tight/porous cesspits, 60.4% of whom were in the West Bank and 16.5% in the Gaza Strip. On the other hand, 53.9% of Palestinian households were living in houses connected to public sewage networks, 38.4% of whom was in the West Bank and 83.5% in the Gaza Strip.