The number of Palestinians worldwide reaches 15.2 million

SadaNews - The Central Bureau of Statistics stated that the number of Palestinians worldwide until the middle of this year has reached approximately 15.2 million, with nearly half living outside historic Palestine.

The "Statistics" released a statement today, Thursday, on the occasion of World Population Day, indicating that the population of the State of Palestine is approximately 5.5 million, including 2.8 million males and 2.7 million females, in addition to about 1.9 million Palestinians residing inside the 48 territories. Meanwhile, estimates indicate that there are about 7.8 million Palestinians in the diaspora, with 6.5 million in Arab countries.

The demographic reality on the eve of Israeli occupation aggression

The "Statistics" noted that since the aggression of the occupation on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, more than 57,000 citizens have been martyred, constituting 2.4% of the total population of the Strip, including about 18,000 martyrs who are children, and around 12,000 are women, in addition to about 11,000 missing by the end of June 2025. Additionally, around 100,000 citizens have left the Gaza Strip since the onset of the aggression, and 66 martyrs have died as a result of famine. The lives of 14,000 infants are at risk due to malnutrition and food shortages, while the number of injured stands at approximately 13,000, with 70% of them being women and children. The number of martyrs in the West Bank reached 990, with 6,700 others injured due to attacks by the occupation forces and settlers.

Estimates have revealed that 39,384 children in the Gaza Strip have lost one or both parents after 534 days of Israeli aggression, including about 17,000 children who have been deprived of both parents, finding themselves facing a harsh reality of life without support or care.

Systematic targeting of the health system and worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip

Since the beginning of the occupation's aggression, the health system in the Gaza Strip has faced organized and direct targeting by the occupation forces. Up until May 2025, over 94% of hospitals have been destroyed or damaged, and 144 ambulances have been targeted and destroyed. The assaults have not been limited to health infrastructure but have also aimed at medical staff, resulting in the loss of thousands of doctors, nurses, and technicians who are unable to perform their duties.

This targeting has resulted in the martyrdom of 1,411 health personnel and the injury of 1,312 others, in addition to 362 cases of detention, alongside numbers of missing and displaced within the health staff.

In light of this dangerous deterioration, around 11,000 cancer patients face the risk of death, including 5,000 cases urgently needing referrals for treatment abroad, whether for diagnosis or to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, in addition to 3,000 patients suffering from other diseases requiring treatment outside the Strip.

On another note, overcrowding and poor health conditions in displacement centers have led to the spread of infectious diseases, with infections recorded among about 2.13 million citizens, including 71,000 displaced individuals infected with viral hepatitis.

Population of the Gaza Strip declines by 10% compared to projections for mid-2025

The "Statistics" emphasized that as a result of the aggression and according to recent data, the Gaza Strip has recorded an unprecedented decline in its population due to the increasing number of martyrs and missing persons, and the emigration of thousands outside the Strip, alongside a decline in birth rates.

Population estimates indicate that the number has decreased to approximately 2,129,724 people, representing a decline of 6% compared to the projected estimates for mid-2024. The number fell to 2,114,301 individuals, marking a 10% decrease compared to estimates for mid-2025.

The "Statistics" indicated that a radical change in the age and gender structure of the population in the Gaza Strip is expected due to the deliberate targeting by the occupation army of younger age groups, especially children and youth. This targeting threatens to distort the shape of the demographic pyramid, particularly at its base, which represents the foundation for the natural growth of any society. Furthermore, the impact is not limited to the present but extends to the medium and long term, as the loss of a significant percentage of women and men of reproductive age is expected to lead to a future decline in birth rates. This could create a burgeoning demographic gap affecting the base of the population pyramid in the future and impact the demographic structure for decades to come.

Palestinian society continues to maintain its youthful character, with 65% of the population under 30 years old

Demographic estimates show that Palestinian society is clearly characterized by a young population structure, with individuals under 30 years old constituting 65% of the total population in Palestine. Data shows variation between regions, with this percentage standing at 63% in the West Bank and rising to 68% in the Gaza Strip.

Estimates indicate that the percentage of children aged (0-4 years) reaches 14% of the total population in Palestine, with 13% in the West Bank and 15% in the Gaza Strip. The percentage of individuals under 15 years is approximately 37%, with 35% in the West Bank and 40% in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, children under the age of 18 constitute about 43% of the total population, with 41% in the West Bank and 47% in the Gaza Strip.

This youthful population growth emphasizes the importance of investing in vital sectors such as education, health, and employment to ensure this group can effectively contribute to building the future of Palestine.

31% unemployment rate in the West Bank for the year 2024

The number of unemployed individuals in the West Bank rose to 313,000 in 2024, compared to approximately 183,000 in 2023, and unemployment rates among individuals participating in the workforce in the West Bank have risen to about (31%) in 2024 compared to about 18% in 2023. By gender, the unemployment rate for males in the West Bank reached 31.7%, compared to 30.1% for females in 2024.

The number of workers from the West Bank in Israel decreased by 10% between 2023 and 2024

The number of workers from the West Bank in Israel significantly decreased between 2023 and 2024, estimated at about 85,000 workers due to the strict closures imposed by the occupation following the aggression on the Gaza Strip. The total number of workers in Israel reached around 21,000 in 2024, compared to approximately 107,000 workers in 2023. The number of workers in the settlements decreased from about 16,000 workers in 2023 to 15,000 workers in 2024.

Decline in the number of workers in the local market in the West Bank between 2023 and 2024

The number of workers in the local market in the West Bank declined from 685,000 workers in 2023 to about 650,000 workers in 2024, representing a decrease of 5%.

Over 17,000 martyrs among students enrolled in schools and higher education institutions in Palestine

The number of martyrs among students enrolled in schools in Palestine reached 16,124 martyrs as of 2025/07/08, including more than 16,019 martyrs in the Gaza Strip and 105 martyrs in the West Bank. Meanwhile, the number of injured students enrolled in schools in Palestine reached 24,614, with 23,913 injured in the Gaza Strip and 701 injured in the West Bank. As for detained students in schools, 367 students have been arrested, all of whom are from the West Bank. The number of martyrs since the beginning of the Israeli occupation aggression among students enrolled in higher education institutions in Palestine reached 1,191 students, with 1,156 from the Gaza Strip and 35 from the West Bank. The number of injured is 2,577, with 2,351 injured in the Gaza Strip and 226 injured in the West Bank. Additionally, more than 401 students enrolled in West Bank universities have been arrested.

928 martyrs among those working in schools and higher education institutions

The number of martyrs among teachers and administrative staff in schools in Palestine reached 707 since October 7, 2023, until 2025/07/08, including 703 who were martyred during airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and 4 in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 221 employees working in higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip have been martyred due to ongoing airstrikes. The number of injured teachers and administrative personnel in schools and higher education institutions in Palestine reached 4,452, including 4,431 in the Gaza Strip and 21 in the West Bank. Additionally, more than 199 teachers and administrative staff in the West Bank have been arrested.

25 schools in the Gaza Strip removed from the educational record

The ongoing Israeli bombardment with violent airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has caused significant destruction to the infrastructure of a large number of schools and universities. A total of 178 schools and university buildings have been completely destroyed, including 25 schools that have been entirely demolished, with 436 schools and university buildings partially destroyed, alongside the suspension of all schools and universities in the Gaza Strip since the onset of the occupation's aggression, depriving more than 620,000 students of their right to education. More than 88,000 students have been prevented from attending their universities, while around 39,000 students have been denied the right to take the general secondary certificate exam in the Gaza Strip for two consecutive years.