The Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the gross monthly income of a family in the top income decile is 22.4 times that in the bottom decile. The top decile averages NIS 36,500, compared with only NIS 1,631 in the bottom decile.
The figures show that the average monthly income in the top decile was 1.9 times the average monthly spending in that group, which amounted to NIS 19,325. In comparison, the bottom decile spends NIS 3,514 per month, over double its income.
The Central Bureau of Statistics data indicate that the gap between rich and poor has widened over the past 40 years.
The figures also showed that the proportion of total spending on food, clothing, and footwear has declined in the past 40 years, while the proportion of spending on housing, transportation, and communications has risen. For example, the proportion of spending on food has dropped from 42% of total spending 40 years ago to 17% at present, and spending on clothing and footwear has declined from 12% to 3%.
The proportion of spending on housing has risen from 12% to 23%, while spending on transportation and communications leaped from 3% to 20%.
According to the figures, over 70% of Israeli households own their own homes. A quarter of the population still rents their living quarters, while the rest live in either key money apartments or assisted living facilities.
Over half of Israel households have a home computer, and 23% are Internet subscribers. 74% of Israel’s population own at least one cellular telephone, and 38% have two. Only 8% of households have a DVD system.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 2, 2003