Statistics of Chareidi Society: 80% of Women Work

The Israel Democracy Institute published the annual “Yearbook of Chareidi Society in Israel,” which reviews the group’s changes and trends.

The proportion of working chareidi men in the first nine months of 2022 rose to 53.5%, the highest in 25 years, and 80% of chareidi women work, the report said, while the percentage of learning yungeleit increased by 2.4%.

Some 44% of the chareidi population live below the poverty line, and 47% of chareidim report difficulty in covering household expenses, compared to 36% among non-chareidim. The average income of chareidi workers is 61% of their non-chareidi counterparts.

The chareidi population stood at 1,280,000, constituting 13.3% of Israelis, and was growing at 4% annually.

Close to half (42.6%) live in two cities, with 26% in Yerushalayim and 16.6% in Bnei Brak. Another 23.7% live in chareidi cities such as Beit Shemesh, Modiin Illit, Beitar Illit, and Elad, and 12.4% live in cities with lower proportions of chareidim, including Ashdod, Petach Tikva, Haifa, Rechovot, and Netanya.

Despite their lower incomes, 82% of chareidim reported that their mental state was very good, compared to only 58% of non-chareidim. Chareidim also had higher rates in satisfaction indices, with 61% reporting the highest level of satisfaction with life (on a scale of 1–10) compared to 24% of non-chareidi Jews.

Likewise, 51% of chareidim are satisfied with their personal relationships, compared to 32% of non-chareidim. Chareidim also reported fewer negative feelings, with 18% reporting feeling lonely compared to 32% of non-chareidim, and 29% reporting feeling depressed compared to 45% among non-chareidim.

{Matzav.com Israel}