The average Israeli is dissatisfied with his home, lacks free time and works long hours, does not trust others, is politically uninvolved, has negative attitudes, and believes that life in Israel is corrupt, according to a comparative study based on OECD data by the Ministry of Finance Economic and Research Division. "Globes" obtained a copy of the study, which is intended to find supplementary standard of living variables.
The data joins better known data, such as Israel's high level of inequality (in fifth place in the OECD), prevalence of poverty (the highest except for Mexico), high level of employment (far from the OECD average), chronic unemployment, which despite jumping in the past decade is low comparatively speaking.
There are quite a few bright points. Israelis are very pleased with their health, which is better than in other OECD member states by almost every measure. Israelis say that they are happier than most of their counterparts in other OECD states. Israelis sense of personal security is higher on a comparative basis, with the incidence of assault among the lowest in the OECD (in fourth place).
The number of Israelis with strong social ties (respondents who say that they have someone to rely on if necessary) is higher than in the OECD. As for employment, there have been some positive developments: in contrast to what is happening in OECD member states, in the past decade, employment in Israel has grown strongly.
The study's findings about education are mixed. Although the results of PISA tests pulls Israel's ranking down, Israel has the second highest proportion of people with higher degrees, after Canada.
There are some points that should worry Israel's politicians. The housing crisis is beginning to be reflected in data: the number of rooms per capita is the lowest in the OECD, except for Poland and Hungary; Israelis work the most hours, except for the Turks and Mexicans; Israel is ranked third in terms of the proportion of the population that believes that corruption is prevalent in government, after Greece and Hungary; and Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan believes that Israel is ranked last in terms of clean air and water.
"Israel is outstanding in public health, the feeling of happiness, and especially in social ties," says the report. "Israel has strong social cohesion, partly because it is a small country, and due to a sense of shared fate and background."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 24, 2012
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