ISRAEL
“In 2025, nearly 1 in 4 children in Israel — around 870,000 kids — lives below the official poverty line. When broader measures of deprivation are considered, some estimates put the number much higher (≈ 1.24 million). Many families struggle with food insecurity, and a significant portion of children from poor households miss out on essential education and enrichment opportunities.”
The discrepancy between the official poverty line and alternative (multidimensional) poverty/deprivation measures shows that many more families (and children) are under significant economic stress than income-based poverty alone captures.
Food insecurity and “cost-of-living stress” (housing, inflation, bills) are major pressures — especially after recent global inflation and local economic shocks.
Children’s well-being is impacted not only materially (food, shelter), but also in access to enriching activities, education, stability: this may have long-term effects on equality and social mobility.
Given high child-poverty rates, welfare, social policy and support for vulnerable families remain critical to prevent intergenerational consequences -Israel — Children & Social-Economic Data (2024–2025)
Indicator / Issue Latest figure / status (2024–2025) Short context / notes
Total people below poverty line (2023 data, published 2024) ≈ 1.98 million people — about 20.7% of population.
The Times of Israel
This is the standard poverty threshold based on income/disposable income.
The Times of Israel
Children below poverty line ≈ 872,400 children — ~ 27.9% of all children.
Slight improvement from ~28.1% in the previous year.
Share of children among all poor people Children account for 44% of individuals in poverty, though they are ~32.5% of population.
Alternative (multidimensional) poverty / deprivation estimate According to NGO Latet (2024 report): ~ 2.76 million people (≈ 28.7% of population) live in poverty / deprivation; among them ≈ 1.24 million children (≈ 39.6% of children).
This “alternative poverty” accounts for basic needs and cost-of-living beyond income.
Food insecurity / households lacking secure adequate food ~ 25% of households in Israel reported some form of food insecurity (2024–2025).
Among them, a portion face “severe food insecurity.”
Children facing food insecurity / nutritional stress As per some sources, >1 million children live under food insecurity conditions; estimates include ~628,000 children in severe food insecurity.
"USABox Foundation has truly changed lives with their dedication and support. Their efforts in education and emergency relief have given hope to so many. I'm proud to be part of this mission."
— Emily Carter, Volunteer Coordinator
