A recent report from the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) has spotlighted dramatic and complex trends within Israel's ultra-Orthodox (haredi) community, shedding light on the interplay of education, military service, employment, and poverty. The findings reveal a tapestry of rapid growth, societal shifts, and persistent challenges, underscoring the unique trajectory of this influential demographic.
Yeshiva Enrollment Soars While IDF Recruitment Declines
Over the past decade, the number of haredi yeshiva students has surged by a staggering 86%. In 2023 alone, there were 169,366 yeshiva students in Israel, marking an 8% rise from 2022. This sharp increase is widely attributed to a boost in state stipends for married yeshiva students, a policy implemented when haredi political parties rejoined the governing coalition.
“We have to be honest, we haven’t tried everything,” says IDI President Yohanan Plesner during the second day of the Shared Society conference, referring to decades of unsuccessful policies attempting to negotiate Haredi conscription into the military.… pic.twitter.com/nAkF3cdPUV
— Israel Democracy Institute (@IDIisrael) December 31, 2024
Conversely, military recruitment among haredi men has plummeted. In 2023, only 1,266 haredi men were drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a steep 36% drop from 1,972 in 2013. The decline underscores the marginalization of military service within haredi society and highlights the growing preference for full-time religious study over national service.
Volunteerism Gains Traction
While IDF enlistment wanes, the number of haredi volunteers in civilian national service programs has surged, with a 64% increase recorded in 2023. This trend suggests a nuanced shift within the community, where alternative forms of service are gaining acceptance.
Rabbi Yonatan Reiss, Founder of the Haredi Hesder Yeshiva Network Chedvata, made a strong impact with his incisive analysis of the underlying issues behind the ultra-Orthodox community’s reluctance to share the burden and responsibility for Israel’s security, even in these… pic.twitter.com/r8eh6PLAML
— Israel Democracy Institute (@IDIisrael) December 31, 2024
Demographic and Educational Trends
Haredim currently make up 14% of Israel's population, and their high birthrate—6.4 children per family—remains a defining characteristic, though it has declined moderately since 2003. This decline is partly attributed to an increase in the average age of marriage among haredi couples. Despite this, the IDI forecasts that haredim will constitute 32% of Israel's population by 2065, cementing their role as a significant demographic force.
Educational attainment remains a challenge. Only 16% of haredi school pupils earn a matriculation certificate (bagrut), and a mere 10% meet the qualifications required for university admission. However, the number of haredim pursuing higher education has more than doubled in the past decade, from 6,893 in 2014 to 14,332 in 2024. Notably, 54% of haredi graduates earn degrees in education, compared to just 13% among non-haredi Jews, reflecting a community focus on teaching. By contrast, only 12% of haredi graduates pursue degrees in STEM fields, compared to 28% of their non-haredi peers.
IDF still needs 12,000 amid ultra-Orthodox conscription controversy - i24NEWS https://t.co/iJBajVMuRK
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) January 8, 2025
Employment and Economic Challenges
Employment rates among haredi men have stalled. After peaking at 56% in 2023, the rate fell to 54% in 2024. This stagnation, combined with large family sizes, limited secular education, and prolonged periods of yeshiva study, has led to widespread economic hardship. An alarming 34% of haredi families—and 47% of haredi children—live below the poverty line, compared to 15% of non-haredi Jewish families.
Despite these challenges, poverty rates within the haredi community have been gradually declining, mirroring broader trends in Israeli society. Monthly net income per capita among haredim stands at NIS 4,027, significantly lower than the NIS 8,307 average for non-haredi Jews. Yet, paradoxically, 78% of haredi families own their homes, surpassing the 73% homeownership rate among non-haredi Jewish families. This apparent contradiction reflects a cultural prioritization of homeownership despite limited financial resources.
[Excellent] State tells High Court all eligible Haredi men can be drafted into IDF from 2026 #Israel #Haredis #MilitaryService https://t.co/wLjdsuUP9Q [timesofisrael] pic.twitter.com/acpTzjXaqw
— Eli Dror (@edrormba) January 8, 2025
A Community in Transition
The IDI’s findings paint a picture of a community undergoing significant transformation. The explosive growth in yeshiva enrollment underscores a deep commitment to religious study, bolstered by supportive government policies. Simultaneously, declining IDF enlistment and stagnant employment rates highlight the community's struggle to integrate into broader Israeli society. However, the rise in higher education enrollment and volunteerism suggests emerging pathways for engagement and advancement.
As Israel grapples with these complex dynamics, the haredi community’s trajectory will undoubtedly shape the nation’s future. Policymakers face the dual challenge of respecting haredi cultural values while fostering greater participation in Israel’s economic and civic life. The stakes are high, and the outcomes will reverberate across Israeli society for decades to come.
