According to estimates for 2023, the number of Palestinians in Gaza aged 0 to 4 was *******. That year, more than half of Gaza's estimated **** million inhabitants were below 20 years old.

This statistic shows the age structure in Palestine from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, about 38.05 percent of Palestine's total population were aged 0 to 14 years.

In Palestine, the median age of the population was 19.76 years in 2023, meaning that almost half of the total population is comprised of children. The median age of a population is an index that divides the population into two equal groups: half of the population is older than the median age and the other half younger. In 2020, the median age of Palestine's population was estimated to be around 19 years.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: Gaza Strip data was reported at 19.100 Year in 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 19.100 Year for 2017. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: Gaza Strip data is updated yearly, averaging 17.000 Year from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.100 Year in 2018 and a record low of 14.800 Year in 1998. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: Gaza Strip data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.G002: Vital Statistics.

Population ages 0-14 (% of total population) in Palestine was reported at 38.05 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Palestine - Population ages 0-14 (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age data was reported at 20.500 Year in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 20.300 Year for 2017. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age data is updated yearly, averaging 18.150 Year from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.500 Year in 2018 and a record low of 16.400 Year in 2000. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.G002: Vital Statistics.

The estimated population of the Gaza Strip for 2023 was around 2.1 million people. The Palestinian population of Gaza is relatively young when compared globally. More than half of Gazans are 19 years or younger. This is due to the comparably high fertility rate in the Gaza Strip of *** children per woman as of 2022.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5: Male data was reported at 11.900 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.300 % for 2007. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 12.100 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2010, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.300 % in 2007 and a record low of 11.900 % in 2010. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Prevalence of stunting, male, is the percentage of boys under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Frequent illness saps the nutritional status of those who survive, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth (UNICEF, www.childinfo.org). Estimates of child malnutrition, based on prevalence of underweight and stunting, are from national survey data. The proportion of underweight children is the most common malnutrition indicator. Being even mildly underweight increases the risk of death and inhibits cognitive development in children. And it perpetuates the problem across generations, as malnourished women are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies. Stunting, or being below median height for age, is often used as a proxy for multifaceted deprivation and as an indicator of long-term changes in malnutrition.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed post-secondary education (ISCED 4 or higher). Male in Palestine was reported at 24.99 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Palestine - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed post-secondary education (ISCED 4 or higher). Male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Abstract

The survey is designed to collect, analyze, and disseminate demographic and health data pertaining to the Palestinian population living in the Palestinian Territory, with a focus on demography, fertility, infertility, family planning, unmet needs, and maternal and child health, in addition to youth and the elderly. The 2010 survey includes new sections and elements, such as basic health and socio-economic information on different groups within the population: ever married woman less than 55 years and children aged less than five years, child labor in the age 5-14 years, child discipline 2-14 years, person education 5-24 years, youth aged 15-29 years, and elderly people over the age of 60.

Geographic coverage

The Data are representative at region level (West Bank, Gaza Strip), locality type (urban, rural, camp) and governorates

Analysis unit

Household, individual

Universe

The survey covered all the Palestinian households who are a usual residence in the Palestine.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Target Population The target population of the survey consists of all the following groups: 1- All Palestinian households normally residing in the Palestinian Territory. 2- Females aged 15 - 54 years. 3- Elderly people aged 60 or over. 4- Children aged 0 - 14 years and divided into the following categories: 0-5 years, 2-14 years, 5-14 years, with parts of the questionnaire customized for each group. 5- Youth aged 15 - 29 years and divided into the following categories: 15-24 years, 25-29 years, with parts of the questionnaire customized for youth.

Sampling Frame We relied on sampling frames established in PCBS and basically comprising the list of enumeration areas. (The enumeration area is a geographical area containing a number of buildings and housing units of about 120 housing units on average.)

The total frame consists of the following two parts:

1- West Bank and Gaza Sampling Frame: containing enumeration areas drawn up in 2007. In the West Bank: each enumeration area consists of a list of households with identification data to ascertain the address of individual households. In Gaza: each enumeration area contains a list of housing units with addresses to ascertain the address of individual households, plus identification data of the housing units.

2- Jerusalem Sampling Frame (inside checkpoints): contains enumeration areas only, geographically divided with information about the total number of households in these areas. However, there is no detailed information about addresses inside enumeration areas and the size of the enumeration area can be ascertained without the ability to identify the addresses.

Design Strata In the survey, two variables were chosen to divide the population into strata, depending on the homogeneity of parts of the population. Previous studies have shown that Palestinian households may be divided as follows: 1- Governorates: there are 16 governorates in the Palestinian Territory: 11 governorates in the West Bank and 5 in the Gaza Strip. 2- Locality Types: there are three types : urban, rural and refugee camps. All the available frames contain the strata variables. Sample Size We use the following formula to estimate the sample size:

    n  =  [(1.15) f(1-r) (r)4]  
  [(nh) p2(r0.07)]  

Where: - n: sample size requested for the main indicator or main estimate - 4: is a factor to achieve a 95 percent level of confidence - r is the predicted or anticipated prevalence (coverage rate) for the indicator - being estimated - 1.15 is the factor necessary to raise the sample size by 20 percent for non-response - f is the design effect - 0.07r is the margin of error to be tolerated at the 95 percent level of confidence, defined as 7 percent of r (7 percent represents the relative sampling error of r) - p is the proportion of the total population upon which the indicator, r, is based - nh is the average household size

To estimate the sample size of the survey we rely on the percentage of children under 5 years who suffer from stunting. We consider it as the main indicator for the survey (r) and it equals 10.2% (from MICS3 data -2006). Also, by returning to census data in 2007 we find the percentage of children aged 0 - 4 years =14.1%. Finally, the sample size = 15,355

Sample Design and Type After determining the sample size, which equals 15456 households, we selected a probability sample - a multi-stage stratified cluster sample as follows: 1- First stage: selecting a sample of clusters (enumeration areas) using PPS without replacement method to obtain 644 enumeration areas from the total enumeration area frame. 2- Second stage: selecting 24 households from each selected enumeration area of the first stage and using the systematic sample method. When reaching households, we enumerate all the targeted individuals from the groups: women (15-54) years, elderly aged 60 and more, children aged 0-5 years. 3- Third stage: selecting one child of age group 2-14 years for part of the questionnaire and one young person from the 15-29 age group to answer the youth attachment in the questionnaire. We use the Kish table to select one person at random.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The design of the survey complied with the standard specifications of health surveys previously implemented by PCBS. In addition, the survey included indicators of MICS4 to meet the needs of all partners.

    1.  Main questionnaire with the following parts:
     · Household questionnaire: Covers demographic and educational characteristics, chronic disease, smoking, discipline of children (2-14 years), child labor (5-14 years), education of children (5-24 years) and housing characteristics.

     · Health of women (15-54 years) regardless of marital status, awareness about AIDS, anemia in women (15-49 years).

     · Ever married women (15-54 years): Covers general characteristics of qualified women, reproduction, child mortality, maternal care, reproductive morbidity, family planning, and attitudes towards reproduction.

     · Children under age of 5: Covers children's health, vaccination against childhood diseases, early childhood development, chronic disease, and anemia.


 2. Attached questionnaires
    ·  Youth questionnaire (15-29 years): Covers general characteristics, awareness and perception of family planning, health status, awareness about sexually transmitted diseases and reproduction.

    ·  Elderly questionnaire (60 years and over): Covers general characteristics, social relations, activities, time-use, health status, and use of mass media.

Cleaning operations

Data editing took place at a number of stages through the processing including:

1. office editing and coding
2. during data entry
3. structure checking and completeness
4. structural checking of SPSS data files

Response rate

The survey sample consists of about 15,355 households of which 13,629 households completed the interview; whereas 8,740 households from the West Bank and 4,889 households in Gaza Strip. Weights were modified to account for non-response rate. The response rate in the West Bank reached 90.5% while in the Gaza Strip it reached 94.8%. The response rate in the Palestinian Territory reached 92.0%.

Sampling error estimates

Detailed information on the sampling Error is available in the Survey Report.

Data appraisal

Different methods were applied in the assessment of the survey data, including: 1. Occurrences of missing values and answers like "other" and "do not know". 2. Examining inconsistencies between the various sections of the questionnaire, including within record and cross-record consistencies. 3. Comparability of data with previous surveys 2000, 2006 and showed logical homogeneity in the results. The results of these assessment procedures show that the data are of high quality and consistency.

This bar chart displays median age (year) by demonym using the aggregation average, weighted by population in West Bank and Gaza. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: West Bank data was reported at 21.400 Year in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 21.200 Year for 2017. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: West Bank data is updated yearly, averaging 19.250 Year from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.400 Year in 2018 and a record low of 17.400 Year in 2001. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Median Age: West Bank data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.G002: Vital Statistics.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 4.008 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.075 Ratio for 2015. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 4.973 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.718 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 4.008 Ratio in 2016. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

Abstract

Objectives: To provide information about the general characteristics of persons with disability or difficulty through a specialized questionnaire designed to meet the needs of the Palestinian Territory, the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Washington Group for Disability Statistics.

Reference Period: 1st quarter of 2011

Periodicity of Data Collection: Every 10 years

Geographic coverage

Areas excluded: Israeli settlements

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Population groups: All age groups

Total population covered: 97.6%

Economic activities: All economic activities

Sectors covered: All sectors

Labor force status: Employed persons, unemployed persons, persons outside labour force

Status in Employment: Employees, employers, own-account workers, contributing family workers, members of producers' cooperatives

Establishments: NR

Other limitations: No

Classifications: Sex, age, level of education, other personal characteristics (e.g. marital status), status in employment, occupation, economic activity

Cross-classification: No

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Frequency of data collection

Periodicity of Data collection: Every 10 years

This bar chart displays median age (year) by ISO 2 country code using the aggregation average, weighted by population in West Bank and Gaza. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data was reported at 76.825 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 76.531 % for 2015. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data is updated yearly, averaging 66.144 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 76.825 % in 2016 and a record low of 38.015 % in 1960. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Survival to age 65 refers to the percentage of a cohort of newborn infants that would survive to age 65, if subject to age specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data was reported at 8.000 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.800 % for 2023. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 10.000 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2024, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.300 % in 2008 and a record low of 7.500 % in 2021. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Prevalence of stunting is the percentage of children under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.;UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME).;Weighted average;Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Frequent illness saps the nutritional status of those who survive, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth (UNICEF). Being even mildly underweight increases the risk of death and inhibits cognitive development in children. And it perpetuates the problem across generations, as malnourished women are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies. Stunting, or being below median height for age, is often used as a proxy for multifaceted deprivation and as an indicator of long-term changes in malnutrition. Estimates are modeled estimates produced by the JME. Primary data sources of the anthropometric measurements are national surveys. These surveys are administered sporadically, resulting in sparse data for many countries. Furthermore, the trend of the indicators over time is usually not a straight line and varies by country. Tracking the current level and progress of indicators helps determine if countries are on track to meet certain thresholds, such as those indicated in the SDGs. Thus the JME developed statistical models and produced the modeled estimates.

As of mid-June 2025, over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel's invasion in October 2023. Of the 50,000 bodies officially identified, almost 45 percent (22,300) were men aged 18–59 years as of March 2025. Prewar estimates put the share of Gaza's population under 18 years at 47 percent, and this group makes up 31 percent of identified fatalities.

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Probability of Dying at Age 5-14 Years: per 1000 Children Age 5 data was reported at 3.200 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.400 Ratio for 2015. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Probability of Dying at Age 5-14 Years: per 1000 Children Age 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 3.900 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.500 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 3.200 Ratio in 2017. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Probability of Dying at Age 5-14 Years: per 1000 Children Age 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 5-14 years of age expressed per 1,000 children aged 5, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average;

State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Contraceptive Prevalence: Any Methods: % of Women Aged 15-49 data was reported at 57.200 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 52.500 % for 2010. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Contraceptive Prevalence: Any Methods: % of Women Aged 15-49 data is updated yearly, averaging 51.000 % from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2014, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.200 % in 2014 and a record low of 45.200 % in 1996. State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) PS: Contraceptive Prevalence: Any Methods: % of Women Aged 15-49 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) – Table PS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.; ; UNICEF's State of the World's Children and Childinfo, United Nations Population Division's World Contraceptive Use, household surveys including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys.; Weighted average; Contraceptive prevalence amongst women of reproductive age is an indicator of women's empowerment and is related to maternal health, HIV/AIDS, and gender equality.