A recently released survey by the Central Bureau for
Statistics says that 14 percent of the general population
(550,000 Israelis) was compelled to forego food, medicine and
heating during the past year due to financial strain. The
figures include both Arab and Jewish Israelis.
Commissioned by the Finance Ministry's Budget Department, the
survey included 7,200 people age 20 and older from all parts
of the country, representing some four million people in this
age category.
The survey also reveals that 65 percent of people in this age
group, some 2.5 million people, needed dental treatment
during the past year and 45 percent of them did not have the
treatment performed due to financial difficulties.
Sixteen percent of the three million people age 20 and older
who needed prescription medication during the past year did
not have their prescriptions filled because of financial
difficulties. Of those in the NIS 7,000 and over monthly
income bracket, only 3 percent considered not having a
prescription filled, compared to 19 percent in the under NIS
4,000 income bracket.
Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed opted to forego
sufficient heating or cooling of their homes--50 percent from
the Arab sector and 36 percent from the Jewish sector; 59
percent of those with limited education compared to 24
percent of those who attended college.
Fourteen percent of respondents reported their phone line or
electricity had been cut off during the past year.
The survey also indicates that half of the one million people
(30 percent) age 20 and older do not have supplementary
health insurance, due to financial strain. Fifty-four percent
chose to forego clothing and shoe purchases during the past
year, 61 percent of women compared to 46 percent of men.
Thirty-five percent said their financial situation has
worsened during the past five years. However, 48 percent of
those 20 and older were pleased with their financial
situation. Fourteen percent felt poor during the past year
and 46 percent reported being unable to get through the
month.
Thirty-nine percent predicted their financial situation would
improve, 37 percent predicted no change and 24 percent
predicted it would worsen.
