Demographics_of_the_State_of_Palestine

Demographics of the State of Palestine

Demographics of the State of Palestine

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Demographic features of the population of the area commonly described as Palestinian territories includes information on ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of that population.

"Demographics of Palestine" redirects here. For historical overview, see Demographic history of Palestine (region).

Quick Facts State of Palestine, Population ...

According to a commonly used definition as relating to an application of the 1949 Armistice Agreement green line, the Palestinian territories have contributory parts of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian National Authority, the United Nations Security Council,[1] the United Nations General Assembly,[2] the European Union,[3] the International Court of Justice,[4] and the International Committee of the Red Cross[5] use the terminology "Palestinian territories" or "occupied Palestinian territories". Israel refers to the administrative division encompassing Israeli-controlled Jewish-majority civilian areas of Area C of the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, as Judea and Samaria Area (Hebrew: אֵזוֹר יְהוּדָה וְשׁוֹמְרוֹן, Ezor Yehuda VeShomron).[6]

Overview

Palestine (region)

The demographic statistics of The World Factbook and the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics estimated that the collective Palestinian (including Israeli Arabs) population in the region of Palestine, including Israel, the Golan Heights, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, amounted to 5.79 million people in 2017.[7][8] Of these, 2.16 million Palestinians lived in the West Bank, 1.84 million lived in Israel, and 1.79 million lived in the Gaza Strip.[7][8]

More information Region & Status, By nationality ...

Note: Israeli definitions

The definition of what constitutes the population of Israel varies depending on which territories are counted and which population groups are counted in each territory.

The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics ("CBS") definition of the Area of the State of Israel:[26]

  • includes East Jerusalem since 1967, which Israel unilaterally annexed
  • includes the Golan Heights since 1982, which Israel unilaterally annexed
  • excludes the West Bank other than East Jerusalem

The CBS' definition of the Population of Israel, however:[27]

  • includes non-Israeli Palestinians (as well as Israeli Arabs/Palestinians) in East Jerusalem who have permission to live there
  • includes Israeli settlers and others with Israeli residency permits living in the Area C of West Bank
  • excludes Palestinian/Arab/other residents of Area C and East Jerusalem who do not have Israeli citizenship or residence
  • excludes persons who are not registered (from 2008 on) and/or entered illegally, and foreign workers
Demographic map of Gaza, West Bank, Israel proper and the Golan Heights

Palestinian Territories

Israeli estimates

The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics estimated (2017) that the collective population in the Palestinian territories amounted to 4,543,126 people in 2017. Thereof, 2,155,743 Arabs live in the West Bank, 1,795,183 Arabs live in the Gaza Strip, and 391,000 Jews live in the West Bank outside of East Jerusalem.[8] Approximately 214,600 Jews live in East Jerusalem.[28] East Jerusalem, once administered by Jordan, came under Israeli occupation after the 1967 Six-Day War.[29] In the Palestinian territories, c. 86% of the population is Arab (predominantly Sunni), c. 13% is Jewish, other <1% (cf. Israel: Jewish 74%, Arab 21%, other 5%).[8]

US CIA estimates

The demographic statistics of The World Factbook the 2023 estimated population of Israel including the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem is 9,043,387 (2023 est.). Of this population:[30]

  • Approximately 236,600 Israeli settlers lived in East Jerusalem (2021)
  • The split by ethnoreligious groups was Jewish 73.5% (of which Israel-born 79.7%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 14.3%, Africa-born 3.9%, Asia-born 2.1%), Palestinian and other Arab non-Jews 21.1%, other 5.4% (2022 est.)
  • By religion, the split was Jewish 73.5%, Muslim 18.1%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.9% (2022 est.)

Palestinian estimates

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the number of Palestinians in the Palestinian Territories was 3,935,249 in 2009, resulting in a calculated population density of 654 capita per km2, of which 433 capita/km2 in the West Bank including Jerusalem and 4,073 capita/km2 in Gaza Strip.[31] In the mid-2009, the share of population less than 15 years was 41.9% and above 65 years 3%.[31]

UN estimates

According to the UN, the population in the State of Palestine was c. 4.9 million in 2017, resulting in an estimated population density of 817 capita per km2.[32] However, a Census held on 1 December 2017 resulted in a total of 4,781.245. The estimate of the Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics for mid 2023 showed a population total of 5,483,450.


Key derived statistics

Out of 224 listed countries and territories, in 2018, the West Bank ranked 48th with a total fertility rate (TFR) of 3.2, and the Gaza Strip ranked 31st with a TFR of 3.97 according to The World Factbook.[33] In 2018, the West Bank had an estimated population growth rate of 1.81% (country comparison to the world: 56th) and the Gaza Strip had a population growth rate of 2.25% (35th).[8][34][35]

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Vital statistics

UN estimates

[41]

More information Mid-year population (thousands), Live births (thousands) ...

Births and deaths

[42][43]

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Population pyramids

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Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 01.XII.2007) (Data have not been adjusted for underenumeration. Excluding data from the parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967.):

Census (01/12/2007) :

More information Age group, Male ...
More information Age group, Male ...
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2013):

Source:[44]

Palestinian Central Bureau

More information fertility rate (Gaza), birth rate (Gaza) ...
More information fertility rate (West Bank), birth rate (West Bank) ...

Source:[45]

Life expectancy

Average life expectancy at age 0 of the total population.[46]

Life expectancy at birth in Palestine
More information Period, Life expectancy in Years ...

Demographics of the West Bank

Population pyramid Gaza Strip 2016
Population pyramid West Bank 2016

The following demographic statistics are from The World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

Total 2,939,418 (July 2018 est.); 71.72% of the population is Arab (predominantly Sunni), 28.28% is Jewish[8] (cf. Israel: Jewish 74%, Arab 21%, other 5%; and Gaza: Arab 99%)[47]

  • Palestinian Arab 2,155,743 (July 2017 est.), 71.72%[8]
  • Israeli Jew 850,481 (2016, 2020 est.), 28.28%[8]
    • approximately 475,481 Israeli Jews thereof live in the West Bank (2020)[48]
    • approximately 375,000 Israeli Jews thereof live in East Jerusalem (2016)[49]
  • Around 380 Samaritans[lower-alpha 1][50]

Age structure

0–14 years: 36.1% (male 518,376/female 491,676)

15–24 years: 21.8% (male 302,474/female 289,852)

25–54 years: 34.5% (male 489,559/female 475,402)

55–64 years: 4.7% (male 68,317/female 64,233)

65 years and over: 3.5% (male 44,662/female 53,943) (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

1.81% (2018 est.)

Birth rate

26 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Mortality rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Net migration rate

−4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0–14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15–24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25–54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55–64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.4 years
male: 73.4 years
female: 77.6 years (2018 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.2 children born/woman (2018 est.)

  • Jewish population: 5.07 children born/woman (West Bank alone)[51]

Nationality

noun: Arabs: Palestinian

Ethnic groups

Palestinian Arab: 83%
Israeli Jewish and other: 17%

Religions

Muslim 80–85% (predominantly Sunni)
Jewish 12–14%
Christian 1.0–2.5%, (mainly Greek Orthodox)[8]
Other religious minorities include Palestinian Metawalis, Palestinian Druze and Palestinian Baha'is.

Languages

Arabic (Palestinian Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic), English (compulsory in schools, widely[quantify] spoken by Palestinians), and Hebrew (spoken by Israeli Jews in the West Bank, and spoken by many[quantify] Palestinians) are commonly known.

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.9%
male: 98.6%
female: 95.2% (2016 est.)

Demographics of the Gaza Strip

The following demographic statistics are from The World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

Current: 2,098,389 (2023 est.)[34]

In 2023 approximately 2.1 million Palestinians lived in the Gaza Strip,[34] around 1.6 million of them UN-registered refugees.[52]

The Strip's population has continued to increase since that time, one of the main reasons being a total fertility rate of 3.38 children per woman (2023 est). In a ranking by total fertility rate, this places Gaza 42nd of 224 regions.[34]

Age structure

0–14 years: 44.1% (male 415,746/female 394,195)
15–24 years: 21.3% (male 197,797/female 194,112)
25–54 years: 28.5% (male 256,103/female 267,285)
55–64 years: 3.5% (male 33,413/female 30,592)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 24,863/female 22,607) (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

2.25% (2018 est.)

Birth rate

30.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Mortality rate

3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Net migration rate

−5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0–14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15–24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25–54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
55–64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total population: 16/1,000 live births
male: 17.1/1,000 live births
female: 14.9/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.4 years
male: 72.7 years
female: 76.2 years (2018 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.97 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Nationality

noun: Palestinians
demonym: Palestinian

Ethnic groups

Palestinian/Arab 98.7%

Religions

Sunni Muslim 98–99%, Arab Christians 0.2% (2,000 to 3,000 est.), other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1.0% (2012 est.).[53][34]

Languages

Arabic (Palestinian Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic), Hebrew (spoken by many older Gaza Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.9%
male: 98.6%
female: 95.2% (2016 est.)

See also

Notes

  1. Samaritans in the West Bank have Palestinian citizenship. (Sabella 2011, p. 75, n.4).

References

  1. [1]
    Resolution 446, Resolution 465, Resolution 484, among others
  2. [2]
    "Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories". United Nations. 17 December 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2006.
  3. [3]
    "EU-Settlements Watch" (PDF). 1 February – 31 July 2002.
  4. [4]
    "Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory". International Court of Justice. 9 July 2004. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2006.
  5. [5]
    "Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention: statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross". International Committee of the Red Cross. 5 December 2001. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2006.
  6. [6]
    "Statistical Abstract of Israel 2012" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  7. [7]
    "Population of Israel on the Eve of 2018 – 8.8 Million". Press Release. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
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    "CIA – The World Factbook: West Bank". Cia.gov. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  9. [9]
    Gaza Strip and West Bank (except Jerusalem) estimate for mid-2023 as per "Estimated Population in the Palestine Mid-Year by Governorate,1997-2026". Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, State of Palestine. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Subtract a further est. 300,000 from the West Bank number which is the est. no. of Palestinians living in Area C under full Israeli control.
  10. [10]
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    "The Separation Barrier – Statistics". B'Tselem. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013. Data source: Israel 's Central Bureau of Statistics, The PA Central Bureau of Statistics and OCHA. All data on population updated to the end of 2005.
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    Katz, Yaakov (1 January 2024). "WEST BANK Jewish Population Stats (not including eastern Jerusalem) UPDATED TO: JANUARY 1, 2024" (PDF). WestBankJewishPopulationStats.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
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    Tia Goldenberg (2 February 2023). "Jewish settler population in the West Bank surpasses half a million". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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    Biard, Michel (26 June 2019). "Addressing the Needs of Palestinian Households in Area C of the West Bank - Findings of the First Comprehensive Household Survey (January 2019) - occupied Palestinian territory". ReliefWeb. Oxfam. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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    Sum of Israeli and Palestinian estimates
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    Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "Barrier Report July 2009. Calculation based on East Jerusalem area of 346km2 being 97% west of the barrier, and 9.5% of the West bank including East Jerusalem being in the Seam Zone" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
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    BBC News. Regions and territories: The Golan Heights.
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    United Nations. Security Council Resolutions, 1981.
  20. [20]
    Council on Foreign Relations. UN Security Council Resolution 497.
  21. [21]
    "Total" and "Jewish/Other" figures from "III/5 Population of Jerusalem by Population Group, Religious Identification, Quarter and Sub-Quarter, 2021 in Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook". Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research. 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2023.. From this number subtract 18,982 Arabs who have Israeli citizenship, viz. "Just 5 Percent of E. Jerusalem Palestinians Have Received Israeli Citizenship Since 1967". Haaretz. Retrieved 31 December 2023. East Jerusalem consists of Areas 2111–2911, all of Quarters 1, 4, and 16; in Quarter 5 Giv'at Shapira (French Hill), Ramat Eshkol, Giv'at Hamivtar and Ma'alot Dafna (but not Shmuel Hanavi), and in Quarter 13 East Talpiot.
  22. [22]
    Figure calculated from other sourced figures in table
  23. [23]
    Derived from total CBS Population of Israel 31-Dec-2023 minus estimates for East Jerusalem Israelis and non-Israeli Palestinians, minus Golan Heights, minus 1/1/24 estimate of settlers in Area C
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    Aji, Albert (26 March 2019). "Trump acceptance of Israeli control of Golan sparks protests". Associated Press. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
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    "'This is our moment': Israel okays major plan to boost Golan, double its population". The Times of Israel. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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    ""Area of the State of Israel", All Terms". Central Bureau of Statistics, State of Israel. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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    ""Population of Israel", All Terms". www.cbs.gov.il. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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    Korach, Michal; Maya Choshen (2018). Jerusalem: Facts and Trends 2018: The State of the City and Changing Trends (PDF). Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research – Publication no. 485. Jerusalem: Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research. OCLC 1164773453.
  29. [29]
    Ian S. Lustick, "Has Israel Annexed East Jerusalem?", Middle East Policy, Vol. V, No. 1, pp. 34–45, January 1997; accessed 25 November 2014.
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    "Israel". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  31. [31]
    Palestine in Figures 2009 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, May 2010
  32. [32]
    "State of Palestine – General Information". United Nations. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  33. [33]
    "COUNTRY COMPARISON :: TOTAL FERTILITY RATE". The World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  34. [34]
    "Middle East :: Gaza Strip — the World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency". 6 June 2022.
  35. [35]
    "COUNTRY COMPARISON :: POPULATION GROWTH RATE". The World Fact Book. CIA. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  36. [36]
    US Census Bureau International Programs Archived 2013-10-14 at the Wayback Machine International Data Base IDB West Bank and Gaza
  37. [37]
    Palestinians in figures 2009 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics May 2010
  38. [38]
    Palestinians at the End of Year 2006 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
  39. [39]
    Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2018
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    "PCBS | Indicators". www.pcbs.gov.ps.
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  42. [42]
    "PCBS | Number of Registered Live Births in Palestine* by Region and Governorate, 2007 - 2020". www.pcbs.gov.ps.
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    "PCBS | Number of Registered Deaths in Palestine* by Region and Governorate, 2007 - 2020". www.pcbs.gov.ps.
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    "Demographic Yearbook". United Nations. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
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    "Palestinian Children – Issues and Statistics Annual Report, 2012" (PDF). www.pcbs.gov.ps. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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    "World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations". esa.un.org. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
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    "Israel". The World Factbook. Cia.gov. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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    "West Bank settler population surged during Trump era, report says". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
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    "Settlement population growth slows for 10th straight year". 9 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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    Sabella, Bernard (2011). "The Status of Non-Muslims in a Palestinian State". In Ahlstand, Kajsa; Gunner, Goran (eds.). Non-Muslims in Muslim Majority Societies: With Focus on the Middle East and Pakistan. ISD LLC. pp. 73–75. ISBN 978-0-718-84301-4.
  51. [51]
    Archived 28 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Israeli CBS 2011 data
  52. [52]
    "UNRWA: Palestine refugees". United Nations. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  53. [53]
    Middle East Christians: Gaza pastor BBC News, 21 December 2005
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