CBS 2024 Survey: Israeli Net Household Income Rises to 22,555 NIS Amid War
The Central Bureau of Statistics released the 2024 household expenditure survey, showing an average net monthly income of 22,555 NIS amid the Swords of Iron war. The Gini index dropped to 0.333, though vast socio-economic gaps persist between deciles.
The Central Bureau of Statistics has published the 2024 household expenditure survey data, a year marked by significant economic upheaval due to the Swords of Iron war, extensive reserve mobilization, and the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from combat zones. Data shows that the average net monthly income of an Israeli household stood at 22,555 NIS, representing a real increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. The median gross income also recorded a real increase of 2.5%, reaching 20,540 NIS compared to 19,443 NIS in 2023.
Household Consumption and Expenditures
On the other hand, average consumption expenditure, including estimated owner-occupied housing services, totaled 18,695 NIS per month, reflecting a slight real increase of 0.3%. Financial expenditure excluding housing stood at 15,370 NIS, accounting for approximately 68% of net income. An encouraging finding in the report is a certain decrease in economic inequality: the Gini index dropped in 2024 to 0.333 compared to 0.349 the previous year.
Housing continues to be the heaviest burden for Israeli families, consuming a quarter (25%) of total consumption expenditure. It is followed by transport and communications (18.4%) and food, including fruits and vegetables (17.9%). The housing market reflects a clear distribution: 62.5% of households live in owned apartments, 32.7% rent, and the remainder live in free housing, key-money arrangements, or dormitories. The average monthly rent for tenants stood at 3,924 NIS.
Vast Gaps Between Deciles
Despite the decline in the Gini index, socio-economic gaps between the extremes remain dramatic. While the top decile holds 22.4% of total net monetary income in Israel, the bottom decile must make do with just 2.8%. In fact, the situation of the two bottom deciles indicates a deficit, as their financial expenditure exceeds their income.
The bottom decile averages 1.1 persons per room, with only about half having access to a computer (56.1%) or home internet (54.3%).
These gaps are clearly reflected in living standards, welfare, and crowding. In welfare goods such as owning two computers, a massive gap is recorded (16% in the bottom decile versus 58.8% in the top), as well as in the ownership of two or more cars—a tenfold difference favoring the top decile.