The yearly snapshot from the Haredi Institute for Public Affairs has just landed on our desk, and the numbers tell a compelling story. Dr. Eitan Regev and Yehudit Miletsky's findings showcase how financial realities are reshaping fundamental aspects of charedi life – from family planning to technology use.
Israel's haredi population now stands at 1.26 million, making up 12.5% of the country's residents. Perhaps most striking is the average family size, which has hit a 43-year low of 6.1 children, leading researchers to redraw their demographic maps. By 2065, they now estimate haredim will comprise 20-22% of Israel's population – notably lower than previous forecasts.
A quiet migration is reshaping neighborhood dynamics. Traditional strongholds are seeing unprecedented exits – Jerusalem has bid farewell to 75,000 haredi residents while 42,000 have moved out of Bnei Brak. Meanwhile, Beit Shemesh has welcomed 40,000 new haredi residents, with many others setting down roots in Israel's peripheral cities.
The financial landscape tells its own story. Home ownership has dipped for the first time in seven years, from 69% to 65%, while mortgage-holding has climbed to 43%. The average haredi home purchase now stands at NIS 1.6 million – a 14% jump – with monthly mortgage payments reaching NIS 3,840, up 11%.
When it comes to the workplace, the picture is nuanced. Young haredi women aged 20-24 have reached an impressive 89% employment rate. Their male counterparts have seen employment triple since 2005, reaching 30%, though overall haredi male employment holds at 54%. While wage gaps between haredi and non-haredi men continue to grow, haredi women are now earning 11% more per hour than charedi men.
Yet there's good news on the economic front. From 2014 to 2022, average household income from work rose 57% in haredi homes – outpacing the 46% increase seen in non-haredi Jewish households. Poverty rates have seen a meaningful decline, from 53% to 39%.
Perhaps most telling is the digital shift reshaping haredi society. Internet usage has nearly doubled since 2014, reaching 71%. However, social media adoption remains selective – just 39% use WhatsApp, compared to 88% of non-haredi Jews.
"These findings reflect deep-seated changes in haredi society," notes Eli Paley, the Institute's founder. "Economic pressures have sparked fundamental shifts in haredi lifestyle, further accelerated by the challenges of the Israel-Gaza war."
Professor Shai Stern, the Institute's director, emphasizes the moment's significance: "Israel stands at a critical crossroads in its relationship with the haredi community. These data points are essential for developing informed policies and long-term planning to address our shared challenges."
Arutz Sheva and VINNews contributed to this article.
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