Public spending on education in Israel 2015-2022

Government spending on education in Israel reached over 113 billion Israeli shekels in 2022 (some 30.6 billion U.S. dollars). This was a relatively significant increase compared to the previous year. Between 2019 and 2020, national spending on education stagnated, likely due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the centrality of the education sector in Israel, worker dissatisfaction often lead to strikes by teachers' organizations in an effort to improve wages and working conditions.  

The importance of the education sector

As of 2023, the education sector was the largest employer in the country. Almost 546,000 people worked in the education in Israel. Teachers in primary schools constitute the largest group of educators, nearing 100,000 employees in elementary schools. Moreover, education is an important issue in the Israeli society, especially investment in secondary and higher education. According to projections, the total consumer spending on education will rise to over 8.15 billion U.S. dollars in 2026. 

Demand for improved terms of employment 

There is a broad consensus regarding the importance of education in Israel. However, teachers' organizations in Israel have been protesting for several years about their terms of employment, and on wages in particular. In July 2022, the average monthly salary in the education sector amounted to over 9,700 Israeli shekels (around 2,600 U.S. dollars). Within the education industry, universities paid the highest level of compensation to teachers, averaging at 11,300 Israeli shekels per month (roughly 3,000 U.S. dollars).