By 2030, one in seven citizens will be aged 65 or over
Photo: Yael Branovsky
Israel is aging
New data show some 742,000 citizens aged 65 or above – figure expected to double within 20 years. Most in age group satisfied with life
One in ten Israeli citizens is over the age of 65, according to data released Tuesday by the Central Bureau of Statistics to mark the International Day of Older Persons which will begin next month.
The data show that some 742,000 people aged 65 and above live in Israel. Since 1995, the percentage of this age group has remained stable, but according to forecasts up until 2030, their numbers are likely to double within the next 20 years, reaching some 14% of the population.
Still Growing
2009 sees population growth of 1.8% including 14,572 Jewish immigrants, about 161,000 births; population still relatively young, life expectancy rising
Of those aged 65 and above, some 89% are Jewish, compared to 76% in the general population; 8% are Arab compared to 20% in the general population; and 3% "others".
Women, the data show, live longer than men. Nearly 57% of this age group are women, and the percentage of women in the general population increases with age. Women comprise some 62% of people aged 85 and above.
Some 57% of people aged 65 and above are married, about one third widowed. The percentage of those widowed increases with age: Some 55.2% among those aged 80 and above are widowed, with just 37.4% married. Among men aged 65 and above, some 77.5% are married, and among women of this age group nearly half (45.6%) are widowed.
Nearly half of this age group lives in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area. The West Bank has the lowest percentage of people from this age group. Some 94% of this age group lives in an urban environment.
Most people aged 65 and above report being satisfied with life (77%). However, a relatively low percentage from this age group believes life will be better in the coming years (11% compared to 54% among those aged 20-64). Nearly two thirds (64%) are satisfied with their financial situation, compared with just 55% among those aged 20-64.
The percentage of those able to cover monthly expenses such as food, electricity and telephone bills is higher among the older population: 74% of those aged 65 and above are able to cover expenses compared with 63% in the rest of the population.
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