Israel’s economy shows remarkable resilience, with unemployment plunging 11.5% in September as citizens return to work and national recovery gains momentum after Operation Rising Lion.
Israel’s post-war recovery continues to defy expectations. According to fresh data from the Employment Service, the number of job seekers in Israel fell sharply to 172,700 in September, marking a 7.2% overall decline compared to August — and an even steeper 11.5% drop after seasonal adjustment, bringing the figure down to 163,200.
Officials credit the improvement to the rapid reemployment of workers who had been temporarily laid off during the summer, as Israel’s economy rebounds with vigor following Operation Rising Lion.
Even more encouraging, the number of citizens claiming income support remained at just 37,900 — among the lowest levels in decades, a testament to Israel’s robust job creation and economic strength despite wartime challenges.
The report revealed that the employment upswing was felt across all regions, with a national average decline of 9.3% in job seekers. The sharpest recoveries were seen in Haredi cities and southern hubs hardest hit during the war:
- Modi’in Illit saw a staggering 38.2% decline,
- Eilat followed with a 17.6% drop.
Women led the return to work, with female job seekers down 8.3% compared to a 5.7% decline among men — reflecting both the resumption of jobs paused during the conflict and the retroactive recognition of unpaid leave rights tied to wartime disruptions.
By age, the biggest improvement came among young Israelis under 34, whose share of job seekers dropped to 28%, while the 35–54 group rose to 42.7%, and 55+ workers made up 29.3%. Analysts say younger workers have bounced back fastest thanks to Israel’s high-tech and service sectors regaining momentum.
Across communities, Haredim recorded the strongest improvement, with a 20.8% decrease in job seekers — lowering their overall share to 8.4%. Arab Israelis also saw a 5.9% drop, while non-Haredi Jews fell by 5.6%.
Employment Service Director General Einbal Meshesh praised the resilience of Israel’s labor force:
“The trends reflect a strong, dynamic market capable of recovering quickly from crisis situations. With the end of the war in sight, our focus now shifts to reintegrating returning reservists. The Employment Service stands ready to support them with targeted job placement and reskilling programs.”
The data paints a picture of a nation rebounding with unity and purpose, turning the hardships of war into renewed strength — and proving once again that Israel’s greatest asset is its people.
