The Educational Reality and Labor Market in Palestine: Unemployment and Future Specializations

SadaNews - A total of 52,142 male and female students in the West Bank registered to take the General Secondary Certificate Examination in the 2024/2025 academic year, while 1,969 students from the Gaza Strip will sit for the exam abroad. Inside the Gaza Strip, a total of 24,500 students will take the exam electronically and in phases, while approximately 41,000 students who were unable to register earlier will be allowed to register for the General Secondary Examinations, ensuring the continuity of education and aligning with the emergency and complex conditions in the region since October 7, 2024, according to a report released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Approximately 16,000 martyrs among school students in Palestine, 99% of whom are from the Gaza Strip
In terms of human losses among students since the start of the aggression on the region on October 7, 2023, until July 15, 2025, the number of martyrs among enrolled students in Palestine totaled 16,242, of which 16,137 are from Gaza students.

Due to the continued aggression on the sector, it was impossible to collect labor force survey data for Gaza for the year 2024, therefore, we will review below the fields of study and their relationship with the labor market for individuals aged 20-29 in the West Bank only.

Business and Management specialization retains its position as the most popular among students over the last decade
Among selected fields of study in 2024, the Business and Management specialization maintained its position as the most popular specialization among students (20-29 years) holding a diploma or bachelor's degree in the West Bank, a trend that has continued over the past ten years.

The percentage of individuals (20-29 years) holding an intermediate diploma or bachelor's degree in the West Bank across selected fields of study and gender, 2024

Future Specializations
Global trends indicate a clear shift in the nature of specializations demanded in the labor market, with technology and innovation skills taking center stage. The need for specializations such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, and Advanced Engineering is increasing due to rapid digital advancements.

New fields related to climate change and sustainable energy have also emerged, such as Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies. At the same time, specializations that enhance human and creative skills, such as Design, Entrepreneurship, and Modern Social Sciences, continue to play a vital role in building a flexible and inclusive future. These trends reflect the need for multi-disciplinary competencies capable of adapting to a rapidly changing world.

High unemployment rates for all fields of study, and unemployment rates among females exceed double those among males in most fields of study
The unemployment rate among individuals (20-29 years) who hold an intermediate diploma or bachelor's degree in the West Bank has sharply risen, reaching approximately 41% in 2024, compared to about 32% in 2023.

Among selected fields of study in 2024, the Arts specialization recorded the highest unemployment rate among individuals (20-29 years) holding an intermediate diploma or bachelor's degree in the West Bank, while the highest unemployment rate among males in the same age group was recorded in the Education specialization at 41%, and the highest unemployment rate among females in the same group was found in the Arts specialization at 81%.

Graduates in the West Bank need 6 to 12 months to obtain their first job opportunity
Data indicate that graduates in the West Bank require between 6 to 12 months to secure their first job opportunity after graduation, reflecting clear challenges in the labor market and a gap between educational outputs and labor market needs.