Arab women have fewer children (illustration)
Photo: Getti Image Bank Israel
MK Hilou. Several reasons
Photo: Yaron Brener
More Arab women work, fewer babies born
Experts say main reasons for drop in birth rate among Arab sector are economic situation, disbandment of clan, State's failure to help and growing number of working women
The Arab sector was not surprised by data released Wednesday by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), which pointed to a drop in the number of babies born to Arab women in Israel.
"This situation is the result of a combination between several factors, including the growing awareness among Arab women," she explained.
Dr. Nihaya Daoud, a researcher at the Braum School for Public Health at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, believes that this trend began a decade ago and will continue in the near future.
Facts & Figures
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According to the CBS data, 2007 saw a rise in the average number of children born to Jewish mothers, from 2.75 to 2.8. In the Arab sector, on the other hand, each mother gave birth to an average of 3.9 children compared to 3.97 in the previous year.
Dr. Daoud explains the factors which led to the drop in the Arab sector's birth rate.
"The average income of the Arab man is less than the average income of the Jewish man. This situation is seen worldwide in terms of minorities. The economic situation leads Arab people to think about the future and ask themselves, 'How will I be able to raise my children and what would I like to give them?'
"In addition, the clan has been dismantled, and the Arab woman no longer gains its support."
'No influence on demographic situation'
According to Dr. Daoud, there are additional reasons for this situation, such as the State's failure to help working women."The State does not provide childcare solutions, and the women, who have to deal with all their roles on their own, realize that they should have fewer children.
"I also assume that women today are also looking for their own place and wish to devote time to themselves, in the sea of roles they must play. Another reason for this situation – and I am cautious about this as there is no circumstantial evidence to support this yet – may be the Netanyahu law which damaged child allowances."
Knesset Member Nadia Hilou (Labor) also believes this is not a new trend.
"This is a combination of several factors. First of all the woman's status – more and more woman are studying and working. In addition, they are influenced by the Israeli civil society and modern life, which lead them to think about investing in their quality of life.
"And then there is the economic situation, as it is no secret that more than two-thirds of the Arab sector members in Israel are poor, and in a poor society fewer children are born."
Prof. Arnon Sofer, a demographer, views the situation differently.
"It's true that the data show a rise in Jews' natural increase and an ongoing drop in Muslims' natural increase. But, and here comes the 'great but', for dozens of years the natural increase in the Arab sector was so high that even if every mother only gives birth to two children – masses of young couples will still be entering the productivity age every year.
"So even if this datum becomes equal, it will have no influence whatsoever on the demographic situation in the next 20 or 25 years," he explains.
