Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook, 2015: Summary
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Editors’ Note: The first in a new document series in Jerusalem Quarterly is a summary statistical profile of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem governorate from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS); JQ thanks PCBS for providing this key document to JQ readers. Reflecting the fragmented situation in Palestine, PCBS divides its Jerusalem data into two areas, as follows:

 

  • Area J1 comprises those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed forcefully by Israel following its occupation of the West Bank in 1967, including the following localities: Bayt Hanina, Bayt Safafa, al-‘Isawiyya, Jabal al-Mukabbir, Jerusalem (comprising Bab al-Sahira, Ras al-‘Amud, Shaykh Jarrah, al- Shayyah, al-Suwwana, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Jawz), al-Sawahira al-Gharbiyya, Sharafat, Shu‘fat, Shu‘fat Refugee Camp, Silwan, Sur Bahir, al-Thuri, and Umm Tuba.

  • Area J2 comprises the remaining parts

    of the governorate, namely: Abu Dis, ‘Anata, ‘Arab al-Jahalin, Bayt ‘Anan, Bayt Duqqu, Bayt Hanina al-Balad, Bayt Ijza, Bayt Iksa, Bayt Surik, Biddu, Bir Nabala, Hizma, al-‘Ayzariyya, Jaba‘, Jaba‘ (Tajammu‘ Badawi), al- Jib, al-Judayra, al-Ka‘abina (Tajammu‘ Badawi), Kafr ‘Aqab, Kharayib Umm al-Lahim, Mikhmas, al-Nabi Samwil, Qalandiya, Qalandiya Refugee Camp, Qatanna, al-Qubayba, Rafat, al-Ram and Dahiyat al-Barid, al-Sawahira al- Sharqiyya, and al-Za‘ayyim.

     

    Notable among the important statistics that the PCBS provides is that about one-quarter of the Palestinian population of Jerusalem and the governorate are refugees. It is not surprising that the proportion of the population that is refugees is less in Jerusalem proper (J1), where it is 21.2 percent, than in J2, where it is 31.4 percent, given that Israel was careful to exclude Qalandiya camp in its 1967 annexation, even as it expanded greater Jerusalem up to Ramallah’s borders. Indeed, if these statistics also measured those Jerusalem residents behind the wall, the exclusion of refugee camps (such as Shu‘fat camp) from Jerusalem urban life would be even more pronounced. (Candace Graff examined Jerusalem neighborhoods cut off by Israel’s separation barrier in her article “Pockets of Lawlessness in the ‘Oasis of Justice,’” published in JQ 58.)

    Under current Israeli law, PCBS, as an institution of the Palestinian Authority, is banned from operating in annexed Jerusalem, and thus from collecting data there. That it continues to try to do so is admirable, but this restriction must necessarily limit some of its abilities. The current profile, for example, does include an important, but brief, section on Israeli violations, including illegal house demolitions. But the section on education does not have the data to highlight the difficulties Jerusalem Palestinians face in obtaining basic education. This would require either house-to-house surveys or access to Jerusalem school and municipal records that are unavailable to PCBS. Some sense of the state of education for Palestinians in Jerusalem can be gathered from a May 2015 press release issued by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) on the occasion of Jerusalem Day, when Israelis celebrate East Jerusalem’s annexation. ACRI’s statement revealed that:

     

  • Only 41 percent of Palestinian children in East Jerusalem are enrolled in municipal schools.

  • There is a shortage of one thousand classrooms in the official East Jerusalem municipal education system; 194 classrooms were added in these schools between the years 2009–2014 and an additional 211 are in planning.

  • Forty-three percent of the classrooms in the official East Jerusalem municipal system are defined as “inadequate classrooms.”

  • The school dropout rate in East Jerusalem stands at 26 percent in eleventh grade and 33 percent in twelfth grade; this compares to a national average of a few percent.

     

    JQ’s new document section is committed to providing readers with the data, analysis, and reporting that illuminates the contemporary state of the city and its people. PCBS’s statistical profile is an excellent place to begin.

     

    Key Findings

     

    Population

     

  • The total estimated population of Jerusalem governorate in mid-2015 is 419,108 persons, of whom 260,324 were in Area J1 and 158,784 were in Area J2. The population in Jerusalem governorate constitutes 9.0 percent of the total population of Palestine and 14.6 percent of the population of the West Bank.

    • The sex ratio in Jerusalem governorate in mid-2013 was 103.5 males per hundred females (103.7 in Area J1 and 103.3 in Area J2); the sex ratio in Palestine is 103.3 males per hundred females and is the same in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

    • In 2013, the percentage of individuals aged below 15 years was 35.2 percent of the total population, while those aged 60 years and above made up 6.7 percent of the governorate’s total population.

    • Palestinian refugees comprise 25.1 percent of the total population of Jerusalem governorate – 21.2 percent in Area J1 and 31.4 percent in Area J2.

    • The average household size was 3.7 persons in 2013.

       

      Vital Statistics

       

  • The number of registered live births in the Jerusalem governorate with Palestinian identity was 3,076 in 2014; 3,594 in 2011; 3,455 in 2012; and 3,292 in 2013. Registered deaths for the same years were 278, 290, 282, and 314 respectively.

  • 2,931 marriage contracts were signed in shari‘a courts and churches in Jerusalem governorate in 2014.

  • There were 615 cases of divorce in shari‘a courts in Jerusalem governorate in 2014.

     

    Agriculture and Land Use

     

    1. Agriculture

       

  • There were 1,219 animal and mixed holdings in Jerusalem governorate during the agricultural year 2012–2013.

  • There were 939 animal holdings comprising 77.0 percent of all animal and mixed holdings, and 280 mixed holdings that comprise 23.0 percent of all animal and mixed holdings during the agricultural year 2012–2013.

  • There were 265 heads of cattle raised in Jerusalem governorate, 29,709 heads of sheep and 17,028 heads of goats on 1 October 2013.

  • There were 2,000 broilers in Jerusalem governorate and 9,700 layers on 1 October 2013.

  • There were 356 beehives in Jerusalem governorate on 1 October 2013.

     

                  2. Population Density

 

  • The total area of Jerusalem governorate is 345 km2.

  • The population density in Jerusalem governorate was 1,215 (capita/km2) at mid-year 2015.

     

                   3. Olive Presses

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  • There were three operating olive presses in Jerusalem governorate with 27 employees in 2014.

  • The output value of these presses was USD 251.1 thousand.

  • The value added realized by the olive press sector was USD 192.8 thousand.

     

    Environment and Natural Resources

     

    1. Water

       

  • In 2014, 100 percent of schools in Jerusalem governorate were connected to a water network.

  • In 2014, 99 percent of kindergartens in Jerusalem governorate were connected to a water network.

  • In 2014, the total amount of water consumed in all schools in Jerusalem governorate was 19.1 thousand cubic meters per month.

  • In 2014, the total amount of water consumed in all kindergartens in Jerusalem governorate was 3.8 thousand cubic meters per month.

  • In Jerusalem area J2, the water situation is very complex. In 2013, 3.9 million cubic meters of water were supplied to the domestic sector, while 35.7 percent of households in Jerusalem governorate evaluated water quality as good.

    Household Evaluation of Water Quality in Jerusalem Governorate Households, 2013

     

     

                   2. Electricity

 

  • There were 110,266 subscribers of electricity services in Jerusalem governorate in 2014 compared with 103,149 in 2013.

  • Electricity consumption in Jerusalem governorate was 461.8 gigawatt hours in 2014 compared with 470.7 gigawatt hours in 2013.

     

                  3. Solid Waste

 

  • In 2014, 82.1 percent of schools in Jerusalem governorate porter only collected solid waste.

  • In 2014, 82.5 percent of kindergartens in Jerusalem governorate porter only collected solid waste.

     

                  4. Wastewater Services

 

  • 64.6 percent of schools in Jerusalem governorate used the wastewater network to dispose of their wastewater and 30.0 percent used porous cesspits in 2014.

  • 58.8 percent of kindergartens in Jerusalem governorate used the wastewater network to dispose of their wastewater and 33.0 percent used porous cesspits in 2014.

     

                  5. Surrounding Environment

 

  • In 2014, 8.1 percent of schools in Jerusalem governorate were exposed to noise very often; 9.4 percent were exposed to smells very often; 5.8 percent were exposed to dust very often; and 5.4 percent were exposed to smoke very often.

  • In 2014, 9.3 percent of kindergartens in Jerusalem governorate were exposed to noise very often; 6.2 percent were exposed to smells very often; 6.2 percent were exposed to dust very often; and 3.1 percent were exposed to smoke very often.

    Health

     

  • There were nine hospitals in Jerusalem governorate with 643 beds in 2013.

  • The total number of discharges from Jerusalem hospitals was 34,147 in 2013.

  • The total number of hospitalization days in Jerusalem hospitals was 146,605 in 2013.

  • The bed occupancy rate in Jerusalem hospitals was 62.5 percent in 2013.

  • In 2013, around 92.4 percent of individuals in Jerusalem governorate reported having health insurance (97.1 percent in Area J1 and 84.8 percent in Area J2). In J1, 95.5 percent reported using Israeli insurance (Kupat Holim/health funds) compared with

    6.6 percent in Area J2.

  • In Jerusalem governorate, 5.6 percent of the population received treatment for diabetes and 5.4 percent for high blood pressure in 2013.

     

    Education1

     

    1. Schools

       

  • In scholastic year 2014–2015, there were 239 schools.

  • In scholastic year 2014–2015, there were 70,367 school students: 33,907 males and 36,460 females.

  • In scholastic year 2014–2015, the average number of students per teacher was 17.8 in government schools, 21.6 in UNRWA schools, and 16.0 in private schools.

  • In scholastic year 2014–2015, the average number of students per class was 24.0 in government schools, 29.0 in UNRWA schools, and 24.0 in private schools.

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               2.Higher Education

 

  • In scholastic year 2013–2014, there were four universities and two intermediate colleges.

  • In scholastic year 2013–2014, there were 13,806 university students: 6,114 males and 7,692 females.

  • In scholastic year 2013–2014, there were 353 college students: 61 males and 292 females.

     

    Culture

     

  • In 2014, there were 64 licensed cultural centers operating in Jerusalem governorate.

  • In 2014, there were two theaters operating in Jerusalem governorate.

  • In 2014, there was one museum operating in Jerusalem governorate.

  • In 2014, there were 102 mosques operating in Jerusalem governorate.

     

     

    Information Society

     

  • In 2014, around 62.1 percent of individuals aged 10 years and above use a computer;

    65.0 percent of individuals aged 10 years and above use the Internet; and 78.9 percent own a mobile phone.

  • In 2014, 69.5 percent of Jerusalem households owned a computer; 21.9 percent of

    households in Jerusalem governorate used a Palestinian Internet service compared with 40.6 percent who use an Israeli Internet service.

  • In 2014, 50.1 percent use a mobile phone with service from a Palestinian company;

    83.6 percent use a mobile phone with service from an Israeli company.

  • In 2014, 99.1 percent of households owned a television. Of households that owned a television, 100 percent had a satellite dish.

     

    Housing and Housing Conditions

     

  • The average number of rooms per housing unit in Jerusalem governorate was 3.7 rooms.

  • The average housing density in Jerusalem governorate was 1.5 people per room.

     

     

    Living Standards

     

  • Income from wages earned from employ in Israel is the main source of household income for 40.0 percent of households in Jerusalem governorate (54.2 percent in Area J1 and 15.2 percent in Area J2). Income from the private sector made up 23.1 percent (13.1 percent in Area J1 and 40.3 percent in Area J2) and income from national insurance allowances was the main source of income for 13.6 percent (21.3 percent in Area J1 and 0.5 percent in Area J2). Wages from the government sector contributed

    7.8 percent (2.2 percent in Area J1 and 17.5 percent in Area J2).

  • Around 31.6 percent of Palestinian households in Jerusalem governorate described their standard of living as good, 64.3 percent described it as fairly good, 3.7 percent as poor, and 0.4 percent as very poor.

     

    Security and Justice

     

  • In 2013, around 59.4 percent of households in Jerusalem governorate believed that there are people who take drugs in their neighborhood and 4.7 percent of households have members who were harassed by drug addicts.

  • In 2013, households in Jerusalem governorate believed that the main three reasons for drug addiction were failure by parents to control their children (28.8 percent), economic problems (16.0 percent), and social problems (15.0 percent).

  • In 2013, around 3.0 percent of households in Jerusalem governorate reported being subject to a criminal offense in the previous year (2.9 percent in Area J1 and 3.1 percent

     

    Labor Force

     

  • The labor force participation rate of persons aged 15 years and above in Jerusalem governorate was: 31.0 percent in 2014 – 56.5 percent for males and 6.9 percent for females. The overall rate was 30.5 percent in 2013; 32.7 percent in 2012; 37.8 percent in 2011; 39.0 percent in 2010; and 40.0 percent in 2009.

  • Full employment rates in Jerusalem governorate were: 80.1 percent for 2014; 80.1

    percent for 2013; 79.8 percent for 2012; 85.8 percent for 2011; 86.2 percent for 2010;

    and 83.8 percent for 2009.

  • Underemployment rates in Jerusalem governorate were: 0.9 percent in 2014; 2.3 percent in 2013; 2.4 percent in 2012; 1.0 percent in 2011; 1.9 percent in 2010; and

    4.4 percent in 2009.

  • The unemployment rate in Jerusalem governorate of persons aged 15 years and above was 19.0 percent in 2014 compared with 11.8 percent, 11.9 percent, 13.2 percent, 17.8 percent and 17.6 percent for 2009-2013 respectively.

  • Employed persons in Jerusalem governorate distributed by employment status in 2014 were as follows: 4.3 percent employers, 13.7 percent self-employed, 80.1 percent wage employee and 1.9 percent unpaid family member.

  • In 2014, persons outside the labor force in Jerusalem governorate were 69.0 percent, of whom 22.9 percent were elderly or ill, 58.4 percent were housekeepers, 15.9 percent students, and 2.8 percent were outside the labor force for other reasons.

    Employers

     

  • In 2012, there were 9,570 establishments operating in the private sector, as non- governmental organizations, and government companies in Jerusalem governorate. These establishments employed 31,310 workers, of whom 12,375 were in Area J2 and 18,935 in Area J1.

  • There were 10,464 establishments operating in Jerusalem governorate classified by

    main economic activity: 5,461 in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; 1,111 in manufacturing; and 1,110 in other service activities. Mining and quarrying had the smallest number with six establishments.

     

    Employment Status of Employed Persons in Jerusalem Governorate, 2014

     

     

     

    National Accounts

     

  • In area J1 of Jerusalem Governorate, the gross value added at current prices was USD 1,023.8 millions for 2013 compared with USD 933.2 millions in 2012.

     

    Consumer Prices

     

  • The consumer price index in area J1 of Jerusalem Governorate rose by 3.84 percent in 2014 compared with 2013; by 1.81 percent in 2013 compared with 2012; and by

    3.23 percent in 2012 compared with 2011.

     

    Transportation Sector

     

  1. Transportation and Storage

 

  • In 2013, there were 933 employees in this sector in Jerusalem governorate.

  • The output value in Jerusalem governorate was USD 33.5 million.

  • The value added realized by the formal transportation sector was USD 13.4 million.

     

      2. Informal Transportation Activities

 

  • In 2013, there were 253 vehicles engaged in this sector in Jerusalem governorate with 253 employees.

  • The output value of these vehicles was USD 8.7 million.

  • The value added realized by the informal transportation sector was USD 3.8 million.

     

    Information and Communication Sector

     

  • In 2013, there were 9 employees in this sector in Jerusalem governorate.

  • The output value in Jerusalem governorate was USD 185,200.

  • The value added realized by the information and communication activities was USD 150,700.

     

     

    Construction Sector

     

  • In 2014, 129 building licenses were issued in Jerusalem governorate for residential buildings in J2 with an area of 105,100 m2.

  • There were 19 licenses issued for non-residential purposes in Jerusalem governorate J2 comprising about 35,500 m2 of new area.

  • There were 25 employees in this sector in Jerusalem governorate in 2013.

  • The output value from this sector in Jerusalem governorate was USD 0.4 million in 2013.

  • The value added realized by the construction sector was USD 0.3 million in 2013.

     

    Industrial Sector

     

  • There were 4,080 employees in the industrial sector in Jerusalem governorate in 2013.

  • The output value of these enterprises was USD 440.9 million.

  • The value added realized by the industrial sector was USD 281.0 million.

      

     

    Tourism

     

  • There were 24 hotels in operation in Jerusalem governorate at the end of 2014, with 1,612 rooms and 3,530 beds.

  • The total number of guests in Jerusalem governorate hotels was 177,602 in 2014.

     

    Services Sector

     

  • There were 12,122 employees in this sector in Jerusalem governorate in2013

  • The output value in Jerusalem governorate was USD 296.1 million.

  • The value added realized by the services sector was USD 226.3 million.

    Internal Trade

     

  • There were 10,875 employees in this sector in Jerusalem governorate in 2013.

  • The output value in Jerusalem governorate was USD 528.5 million.

  • The value added realized by internal trade was USD 473.5 million.

     

    Registered Foreign Trade

     

  • The total value of registered imports of goods for Jerusalem governorate in 2013 was USD 373.3 million and showed an increase of 16.8 percent compared with 2012.

  • The total value of registered exports of goods from Jerusalem governorate increased during the same period by 26.4 percent and reached USD 65.5 million.

     

    Israeli Violations

     

  • 14,481 Jerusalem ID cards were confiscated between 1967 and 2014, 107 of them in 2014.

  • During 2014, the Israeli authorities demolished 51 buildings and 100 establishments in Jerusalem governorate.

  • 26 settlements were constructed on confiscated land in Jerusalem governorate; 16 of these were in area J1 in 2013.

  • In 2013, around 281,684 settlers lived in settlements in Jerusalem governorate; 206,705 of these were in area J1.