The total population in Palestine was forecast to continuously increase up to more than 5.4 million people by 2023. The current total population is estimated to amount to 5.48 million people in 2023, however these estimates have not yet been adjusted to account for the impact of the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

Jews were the dominant religious group in the Israel-Palestine region at the beginning of the first millennia CE, and are the dominant religious group there today, however, there was a period of almost 2,000 years where most of the world's Jews were displaced from their spiritual homeland. Antiquity to the 20th century Jewish hegemony in the region began changing after a series of revolts against Roman rule led to mass expulsions and emigration. Roman control saw severe persecution of Jewish and Christian populations, but this changed when the Byzantine Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion in the 4th century. Christianity then dominated until the 7th century, when the Rashidun Caliphate (the first to succeed Muhammad) took control of the Levant. Control of region split between Christians and Muslims intermittently between the 11th and 13th centuries during the Crusades, although the population remained overwhelmingly Muslim. Zionism until today Through the Paris Peace Conference, the British took control of Palestine in 1920. The Jewish population began growing through the Zionist Movement after the 1880s, which sought to establish a Jewish state in Palestine. Rising anti-Semitism in Europe accelerated this in the interwar period, and in the aftermath of the Holocaust, many European Jews chose to leave the continent. The United Nations tried facilitating the foundation of separate Jewish and Arab states, yet neither side was willing to concede territory, leading to a civil war and a joint invasion from seven Arab states. Yet the Jews maintained control of their territory and took large parts of the proposed Arab territory, forming the Jewish-majority state of Israel in 1948, and acheiving a ceasefire the following year. Over 750,000 Palestinians were displaced as a result of this conflict, while most Jews from the Arab eventually fled to Israel. Since this time, Israel has become one of the richest and advanced countries in the world, however, Palestine has been under Israeli military occupation since the 1960s and there are large disparities in living standards between the two regions.

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.

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, family planning and maternal and child health.

Geographic coverage

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

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

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

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample frame and sample design: The list of all Palestinian households has been constructed by updating some identification variables from the data collected through the Population Census of 1997. The master sample was drawn up to be used for different sample surveys. It consists of 481 enumeration areas (EA) (the average size of about 150 households). The master sample was the sample frame for the current Demographic and Heath Survey of 2004. The selected EA were divided into small units called cells (with an average size of 25 households). One cell per EA was selected.

The sample type was a stratified two-stage random sample: First stage: 260 EAs were selected from all Palestinian territory. Second stage: A systematic random sample of 25 households was selected from each EA in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. For the part of Jerusalem that was annexed by Israel after the 1967 war, 30 households were selected from each EA.

Sample size: The number of households in the sample was 6,574 households: 4,456 in the West Bank and 2,118 in the Gaza Strip.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire was consisted of the following parts:

• Household part: consisted household roster including demographic variables such as age, sex, date of birth, smoking, health insurance,disability, child labor for children aged 10 years and over and education section for persons aged 5-17 years.
• Dwelling part: including questions on housing conditions such as main drinking water source, iodized salt and other socio-economic indicators. -Women (15-54 years) questionnaire
• Women part: this part was designed to collect data from all ever-married women 15-54 years old. It consists of seven sections: Reproduction, Contraception, Pregnancy and Breast Feeding, Tetanus Toxoid (TT), Health Awareness and Public Health, Awareness of AIDS, Fertility Preference.
• Child part: this part was designed to collect data from all children aged less than 5 years, it consists Child Education, Child health and Immunization, and Anthropometry.

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 6,574 households of which 5,799 households completed the interview; whereas 3,746 households from the West Bank and 2,053 households in Gaza Strip. Weights were modified to account for non-response rate. The response rate in the West Bank reached 84.1% while in the Gaza Strip it reached 96.9%. The response rate in the Palestinian Territory reached 88.2%.

Sampling error estimates

Detailed information on the sampling Error is available in the Survey Report downloadable under the "Documentation" tab.

Data appraisal

Detailed information on the data appraisal is available in the Survey Report downloadable under the "Documentation" tab.

The world's Jewish population has had a complex and tumultuous history over the past millennia, regularly dealing with persecution, pogroms, and even genocide. The legacy of expulsion and persecution of Jews, including bans on land ownership, meant that Jewish communities disproportionately lived in urban areas, working as artisans or traders, and often lived in their own settlements separate to the rest of the urban population. This separation contributed to the impression that events such as pandemics, famines, or economic shocks did not affect Jews as much as other populations, and such factors came to form the basis of the mistrust and stereotypes of wealth (characterized as greed) that have made up anti-Semitic rhetoric for centuries. Development since the Middle Ages The concentration of Jewish populations across the world has shifted across different centuries. In the Middle Ages, the largest Jewish populations were found in Palestine and the wider Levant region, with other sizeable populations in present-day France, Italy, and Spain. Later, however, the Jewish disapora became increasingly concentrated in Eastern Europe after waves of pogroms in the west saw Jewish communities move eastward. Poland in particular was often considered a refuge for Jews from the late-Middle Ages until the 18th century, when it was then partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia, and persecution increased. Push factors such as major pogroms in the Russian Empire in the 19th century and growing oppression in the west during the interwar period then saw many Jews migrate to the United States in search of opportunity.

Abstract

The social and economic conditions covered in the Palestinian Households Survey represent one of the most important areas of Palestinian official statistics. The main role of the Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics and statistical agencies is to provide data on the conditions experienced by the community. The responses to this survey are designed to meet the needs of users of statistical data related to social and economic development in Palestine and enhance cooperation between the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Relief Works Agency for Refugees (UNRWA).

Geographic coverage

Palestine

Analysis unit

Household

Universe

It consists of all Palestinian households and individuals who are staying normally in the state of Palestine during 2015

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Target Population: All Palestinian households and individuals who normally live with their households in Palestine during 2014, there will be focus on individuals 18 years and over to achieve additional pattern specialized for this group.

Sampling Frame: In previous rounds, it was depended on a sampling frame from 2007 census, which is a list of enumeration areas (EAs) that is a geographic region consists of buildings having housing units with an average of 124 households, EAs will be considered as primary sampling units ( PSUs) in survey design. For the current rounds, drawing the sample will be dependent on the same sampling frame for the previous rounds by fixing the previous sample, and adding number of EAs within the overall frame to enhance representation for some regions.

The information used from international organizations and the Gaza strip office, these information related to damage degree in EAs as assistant information to know how much the sample represents the damage after Gaza strip war 2014.
Sample Size: The estimated sample size 9025 HHs divided as following: 1- Fixing SAFSEC survey 2013 sample, which was estimated by 7503 household in the previous rounds (household-panel) and conducted in January and February 2014. 2- Additional sample 500 households in Gaza Strip and 150 households in West Bank, to enhance sample representation and response rate. 3- Additional sample 89 households in Jerusalem governorate (j1) To compensate for the shortage due to non-response. 4- Sample of new households that consisted of separated individuals 783 households.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

A special questionnaire was designed in accordance with high quality statistical standards and best practices recommendations; the questionnaire is consist of the following fields: Part one: Identification Data. Part two: Quality Control Data. Part three: Household Members Data. Part four: Housing Data. Part five: Assistance and Coping Strategies Data Part six: Expenditure and Consumption. Part seven: Food diversity and facing food shortage Data. Part eight: Income. Part nine: Agriculture and Livestock Data. Part ten: Freedom of movement Data. Part eleven: Immigration Data. Part twelve: Martyrs Data. Part thirteen: Hosting Data. In addition individual questionnaire 18 years and above including life quality questions

Cleaning operations

Both data entry and tabulation were performed using the Access and SPSS software programs. Data entry was organized corresponding to the main parts of the questionnaire. A data entry template was designed to reflect an exact image of the questionnaire, and included various electronic checks: logical check, range checks, consisting checks and cross-validation. Complete manual inspection of results after data entry was performed, and questionnaires containing field-related errors were sent back to the field for corrections.

Response rate

Response rate was 93.0%

Sampling error estimates

Data of this survey affected by sampling errors due to use of the sample and not a complete enumeration. Therefore, certain differences are expected in comparison with the real values obtained through censuses. Variance were calculated for the most important indicators, the variance table is attached with the final report. There is no problem to disseminate results at the national level and regional level (west bank , gaza strip).

Data appraisal

Non-sampling errors are probable in all stages of the project, during data collection or processing. This is referred to as non-response errors, response errors, interviewing errors, and data entry errors. To avoid errors and reduce their effects, great efforts were made to train the fieldworkers intensively. They were trained in how to carry out the interview, what to discuss and what to avoid, carrying out a pilot survey and practical and theoretical training during the training course.

Also data entry staff was trained on the entry program that was examined before starting the data entry process. Continuous contacts with the fieldwork team were maintained through regular visits to the field and regular meetings during the different field visits. Problems faced by fieldworkers were discussed to clarify issues and provide relevant instructions.

oPt International Boundaries after 1967 war Admin COD datasets oPt endorsed by COD on January 2016

5 August 2021 update: small changes were made to the boundary between the Gaza Strip [PS02] and Israel affecting administrative level 2 features 'Gaza' [PS0260] and 'Rafah' [PS0275].

Vetting and live service provision by Information Technology Outreach Services (ITOS) with funding from USAID.

The lines shapefile includes "no man's land" boundaries (coded as admLevel 88) that are not part of the administrative level 0-2 boundaries.

19 March 2021 update: ITOS processing and live services provided.

9 November 2020 update: "No Man's Land" boundary is now included only in the lines layer, leaving the administrative level 1 and 2 features more integral. Administrative level 1 is now P-coded (maintaining compatibility with the existing administrative level 2 P-codes).

ADM0: State of Palestine [PS] ADM1: Regions - West Bank [PS01] and Gaza Strip [PS02] ADM2: Governorates

The 'pse_admbndl_ALL_pamop_2020' layer includes line features with Admlevel = 88 representing the border between the main parts of Jerusalem [PS0140] and Ramallah [PS0130] governorates and those parts forming "No Man's Land".

These boundaries are suitable for database or GIS linkage to the State of Palestine - Subnational Population Statistics tables.

Abstract

The 2000 Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (MICS2) provides reliable estimates for several indicators, which were suggested to Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) by decision makers, planners, and researchers in the field of health through a series of "User-Producer Dialogue"workshops. The survey includes also the indicators of the "End of Decade Goals Survey, MICS2" which were developed in cooperation with UNICEF, and the indicators of the "Baseline Health Survey" which were developed in cooperation with UNFPA.

The 2000 Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was implemented on the eve of the INTIFADA in Palestine. The release of this report comes after less than three months since the beginning of the uprising. There is documented evidence that up to this time in the life of the INTIFADA, more than 100 Palestinian children have been killed and more than 3,500 are injured by the Israeli army and the Israeli settlers. International as well as local specialized agencies have indicated that hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children have been deeply affected psychologically by the events. The Israeli harsh measures and their continued aggression against the Palestinian population have left thousands of Palestinian households with no means of protection or support for their children. In view of these tragic developments, the results of this Survey could be used as a fairly good and reliable baseline to compare with when studying the impact of Israeli measures and actions against Palestinian children and households.

The Health Survey of 1996 and the Demographic Survey of 1995 were among the pioneering household surveys in the establishment phase of Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). The two surveys where complementary to each other and were designed to provide detailed accounting and baseline data and statistics on the demographic and health status of Palestinian households and individuals. An update of the health survey was deemed necessary by PCBS and the Ministry of Health in order to update the baseline data on health situation in Palestine. The current survey (the 2000 health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip) comes as a timely update ofthe various indicators, which were measured by the previous surveys, and as an answer to the statistical needs of the planners within government, NGO's, and specialized international agencies which are mandated to work in Palestine. This survey is in fact a realization of a partnership, which was formulated between PCBS, Ministry of Health, UNFPA and UNICEF in order to pool the demand side on data and produce a relevant data set for various stakeholders. The survey has tried to provide estimates for many indicators within the framework of UNICEF's efforts to support countries to come up with assessment of End Decade Goals as set out by UNICEF. It also tried to come up with the baseline data, which could be used in drafting a country strategy and a CPA exercise by UNFPA. The survey has also tried to provide enough details to allow the Ministry of Health finalize its strategic plan.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Individuals
• Households

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-54 years, all children aged 5-17 years and under 5 living in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design of the 2000 Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (MICS) takes into account the main recommendations of UNICEF for this type of surveys.

The sample provides a subsample of household that receives health services from the Ministry of Health clinics.

The target population consists of all Palestin_ian households that usually reside in the Palestinian Territory. This type of survey concentrates on 2 subpopulations. the first one is ever-married women and aged (15-54) years. the second one is children less than 5 years.

The list of all Palestinian households has been constructed with some identification variables, after finishing the Population Census 1997 processes. The master sample was drowned to be used for different sample surveys. The master sample consists of 481-enumeration area (EA) (the average sizes about 120 households). The master sample is the sample frame of the 2000 Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The selected EAs were divided into small units called cells (with average size of 25 households). One cell per EA was selected.

Different criteria were taken into account when sample size was determined. The level of sampling error for the main indicators was considered, the result could be published at 3 subpopulations. and 10% incomplete questionnaire was assumed. The overall sample was 272 EAs, 178 in the West Bank and 94 in Gaza Strip. The Sample cells increased to 288 cells. 194 in West Bank and 94 in Gaza Strip. The number of households in the sample was 6,349 households, 4,295 in the West Bank and 2,054 in Gaza Strip.

The sample is a stratified multi-stage random sample.

Stratification: Four levels of stratification were made: 1. Stratification by governorates. 2. Stratification by place of residence which comprised: (a) Urban (b) Rural (c) Refugee Camps 3. Stratification by classifying localities, excluding governorate capitals, into three strata based on the ownership of households within these localities of durable goods. 4. Stratification by size locality (number of households).

A compact cluster design was adopted because the sample frame was old. As mentioned above, the first sampling units were divided into small units (cells). Then one cell from each EA was randomly selected.

For that part of Jerusalem, which was annexed after 1967 war, a list of households for the EAs in the frame was completed in 1999. Therefore a compact cluster design was not used in this part, and a random of households from the EAs was selected.

First stage sampling units are the area units (EAs) in the master sample. The second stage-sampling units are cells.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire was developed by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics after revision and adaptation of the following standard questionnaires: 1. The Health Survey questionnaire, which implemented by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in 1996. 2. Demographic Survey questionnaire, which implemented by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in 1995. 3. UNICEF questionnaire for Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS II). 4. Standard Demographic and Health survey questionnaire. 5. Other Demographic and Health Survey questionnaire (DHS).

The health survey - 2000 questionnaire consist of three main parts:

1. Household questionnaire which includes the following sections:
2. Control Sheet: which includes items related to quality control sample identification, interview schedule and interview results.
3. Household Roster: includes demographic variables such as age, sex, relation to head of household, date ofbirth and health variables such as health insurance and smoking.

4. Housing section: includes questions on housing conditions, such as water sanitation and iodized salt.

5. Women's Health questionnaire: this questionnaire was designed to collect data for all ever- married women aged less than 55 years, it consists of seven sections:

6. Reproduction.

7. Family planning.

8. Antenatal care and Breastfeeding.

9. Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination.

10. Desire of Reproduction.

11. Public Health and Health Awareness.

12. Knowledge of HIV.

13. Child Health Questionnaire: This module consists of six sections:

14. Birth Registration for children under five years.

15. Child Education for children aged 5-17 years .

16. Child Labor for children aged 5-17 years.

17. Child Health and Child Immunization for children under five years.

18. Child Ophthalmic Health for children under five years.

19. Anthropometry for children under five years.

Cleaning operations

IMPS was used in data entry. Data entry was organized in a number of files, corresponding to the main parts of the questionnaire.

A data entry template was designed to reflect an exact image of the questionnaire, and included various electronic checks: logical check, consisting checks and cross-validation. Continuously thorough checks on the overall consistency of the data files and sample allocation were sent back to the field for corrections.

Data entry started on may 18, 2000 and finished on June 8, 2000. Data cleaning and checking processes were initiated simultaneously with the data entry. Thorough data quality checks and consistency checks were carried out.

Final tabulation of results was performed using statistical package SPSS for Windows (version 8.0) and specialized health and demographic analysis programs.

Response rate

Overall 94.0% of the questionnaires were completed. 93.3% in the West Bank, and 95.5% in Gaza Strip. The response rate was about 97.7%, it was 96.9% in the West Bank and 99.3% in Gaza Strip.

Sampling error estimates

Since the data reported here are based on a sample survey and not on complete enumeration. They are subject to two main types of errors: sampling rrrors and non-sampling errors.

Sampling errors are random outcomes of the sample design, and are, therefore, easily measurable.

Non-sampling errors can occur at the various stages of the survey implementatipn in data collection and data processing, and are generally difficult to be evaluated statistically. They cover a wide range of errors, including errors resulting from non-response, sample frame

As of January 14, 2025, the UN estimated that around 1.9 million refugees are currently sheltered in school buildings operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Around ** percent of Gaza's total population has been displaced due to the ongoing conflict. This was caused by attacks of radical Islamic Hamas' attacks on Israeli territory and the consequent counterstrikes of the Israeli military. Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 The radical Islamic Palestinian terror organization Hamas attacked Israel in the early hours of October 7, 2023, on Sabbath - the Jewish day of rest. This strategic attack from Gaza was directed towards Israeli civilians and armed forces. An estimated ***** rockets were fired by Hamas from Gaza toward Israeli targets, hitting civilian buildings and military facilities. Hamas fighters entered the Israeli territory, killing around ***** of Israeli citizens. In the weeks that followed, the Israeli military conducted an aerial bombardment and launched a ground offensive in Gaza. Humanitarian pauses allowed aid to get into Gaza, but fighting has continued since a weeklong cease-fire ended on December 1, 2023. The attacks resulted in a massive escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict, which pushed a political solution further away. The number of civilian casualties in Gaza and Israel is rising each day the conflict continues. Humanitarian situation in Gaza Following Hamas' attacks on Israel, the Israeli military responded with airstrikes against positions of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and cut the region's supply. The Israeli military warned parts of Gaza about their air strikes and urged the population to leave their houses and seek refuge in the centers. Israel isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and stopped the supply of electricity, food, and fuel. On October 13, 2023, Israel prompted the Palestinian population of Gaza to vacate the region of northern Gaza. Around one million of the **** million Gazans dwelled in northern Gaza in high density. About half of the Gazan population is underaged. Since the terrorist organization Hamas launched its attacks on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023, around ***** Israelis have died, and ***** have been injured. Through retaliation attacks by the Israeli armed forces against Hamas in Gaza, over 47 thousand Palestinians have died, and around 99 thousand have been injured. There were ***** confirmed Palestinians killed in the Westbank through the ongoing conflict. Hamas's attack on Israel was the deadliest so far.

Abstract

Focuses mainly on labour force key indicators, main characteristics of the employed, unemployed, underemployed and persons outside labour force, labour force according to level of education, distribution of the employed population by occupation, economic activity, place of work, employment status, hours and days worked and average daily wage in NIS for the employees.

Geographic coverage

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

Analysis unit

Household, Individual.

Universe

The survey covered all the Palestinian persons aged 10 years and above who are a usual residence in State of Palestine

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample of this survey is implemented periodically every quarter by PCBS since 1995, where this survey is implemented every quarter in the year (distributed over 13 weeks). The sample is a two-stage stratified cluster sample with two stages: First stage: selection of a stratified sample of 536 EA with (pps) method. Second stage: selection of a random area sample of 15 households from each enumeration area selected in the first stage. The estimated sample size in each quarter was 8,040 households in 2023. The size of the sample was 8,040 households in each quarter of the year 2023, as the survey was conducted according to the designed sample in the West Bank. for Gaza Strip, the survey was implemented in the first three quarters of 2023 only due to the war and the possibility of implementing it in the Gaza Strip.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

The lfs questionnaire consists of four main sections: Identification Data: The main objective for this part is to record the necessary information to identify the household, such as, cluster code, sector, type of locality, cell, housing number and the cell code. Quality Control: This part involves groups of controlling standards to monitor the field and office operation, to keep in order the sequence of questionnaire stages (data collection, field and office coding, data entry, editing after entry and store the data. Household Roster: This part involves demographic characteristics about the household, like number of persons in the household, date of birth, sex, educational level…etc. Employment Part: This part involves the major research indicators, where one questionnaire had been answered by every 10 years and over household member, to be able to explore their labour force status and recognize their major characteristics toward employment status, economic activity, occupation, place of work, and other employment indicators.

Cleaning operations

All questionnaires were edited after data entry in order to minimize errors related data entry.

Response rate

The response rate was 98.8% in the fourth quarter 2023 in the West Bank only

The response rate was 86.2% in the first quarter 2023 The response rate was 83.7% in the third quarter 2023 The response rate was 83.6% in the second quarter 2023

Sampling error estimates

Data of this survey affected by sampling errors due to use of the sample and not a complete enumeration. Therefore, certain differences are expected in comparison with the real values obtained through censuses. Variance were calculated for the most important indicators. There is no problem to disseminate results at the national level and at the level of governorates of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Data appraisal

The concept of data quality encompasses various aspects, started with planning of the survey to how to publish, understand and benefit from the data. The most important components of statistical quality elements are accuracy, comparability and quality control procedures

The number of fatalities amongst the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza between 2008 and September 2023 stood at 6,407 and the number of injured people was 152,560. While the majority of fatalities amongst the Palestinians was in the Gaza Strip, more than half of the injured were based in the West Bank.

Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023

The radical Islamic Palestinian terror organization Hamas attacked Israel in the early hours of October 7, 2023, on Sabbath - the Jewish day of rest. This strategic attack from Gaza was directed towards Israeli civilians and armed forces. An estimated 2,200 rockets were fired by Hamas from Gaza toward Israeli targets, hitting civilian buildings and military facilities. Hamas fighters entered the Israeli territory, killing around 1,200 of Israeli citizens. In the weeks that followed, the Israeli military conducted an aerial bombardment and launched a ground offensive in Gaza. Humanitarian pauses allowed aid to get into Gaza, but fighting has continued since a weeklong cease-fire ended on December 1, 2023.

The attacks resulted in a massive escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict, which pushed a political solution further away. The number of civilian casualties in Gaza and Israel is rising each day the conflict continues.

Before October 2023, there had been four wars between Israel and Hamas. The current conflict is already the deadliest, and the death toll is certain to rise.

Abstract

The aim of the survey is to collect data on the households expenditure on health in the Palestinian Territory in order to facilitate the creation of National Health Accounts System. The main objectives of the survey are: * To evaluate the health services provided. * Utilization of health services and health insurance as well. * To provide data on the share of households expenditure on health. * To provide data on the share of MoH and private sector expenditure on health.

Geographic coverage

All Palestinian households living in the Palestinian Territory (west bank and Gaza Strip)

Analysis unit

Household, Individual

Universe

All Palestinian households living in the Palestinian Territory.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The number of households in the sample was 4,496 households: 3,056 in the West Bank and 1,440 in the Gaza Strip. 4,014 households were interviewed, 2,663 in the West Bank and 1,351 in Gaza Strip.

The list of all Palestinian households has been constructed by updating some identification variables from the data collected through the Population Census of 1997. The master sample was drawn up to be used for different sample surveys. It consists of 481 enumeration areas (EA) (the average size of about 150 households). The master sample was the sample frame for the current HHES 2004. The selected EA were divided into small units called cells (with an average size of 16 households in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while 20 households were selected in Jerusalem).

The sample type was a stratified two-stage random sample: First stage: 275 EAs were selected from all Palestinian territory. Second stage: A systematic random sample of 16 households was selected from each EA in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. For the part of Jerusalem that was annexed by Israel after the 1967 war, 20 households were selected from each EA.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics developed the questionnaire after revision and adaptation of some questionnaires belongs to some neighboring countries such as Jordan, in addition to the standard manual for calculating the national health accounts which was developed by WHO.

The HHES 2004 questionnaire consisted of following parts: 1. Control Sheet, which includes items related to quality control, sample identification, interview schedule and interview outcome.

1. Part one, which includes the household roster including demographic variables such as age, sex, relation to the head of the household, and date of birth.

2. Part two; this part was designed to collect data on the availability of health insurance and the utilization of health insurance. In addition to the prevalence of diseases need continuous treatment and the monthly mean expenditures on such diseases.

3. Part Three: This part includes questions on utilization of primary health care centers for those who suffer any health problem during the past two weeks preceding the survey.

4. Part four (A): This part was designed to collect data on persons who utilize the out patients clinic at hospitals during the past 6 months preceding the survey.

5. Part four (B): This part was designed to collect data on persons who admitted to the hospitals during the past year preceding the survey.

6. Part five: This part includes questions on utilization of rehabilitation centers for those who suffer any health problem during the six months two weeks preceding the survey.

7. Part six: This part includes data on selected socio-economic indicators and the households' expenses on some health items during the past month preceding the survey.

Cleaning operations

BLAIZE was used in the data entry. Data entry was organized in a number of files, corresponding to the main parts of the questionnaire.

A data-entry template was designed to reflect an exact image of the questionnaire and included various electronic checks: logical check, consistency checks and cross-validation. Continuously thorough checks on the overall consistency of the data files were conducted, and some questionnaires were sent back to the field for corrections.

Data entry started in August 10, 2004, and finished on September 20, 2004. Data cleaning and checking processes were initiated simultaneously with the data entry. Thorough data quality checks and consistency checks were carried out.

Final tabulation of results was performed using the statistical package SPSS for Windows (version 8.0) and specialized health and demographic analysis programs.

Response rate

The response rate for the SURVEY 89.3%.

Sampling error estimates

Since the data reported here are based on a sample survey and not on complete enumeration, they are subjected to two main types of errors: sampling errors and non-Sampling errors.

Sampling errors are random outcomes of the sample design, and are, therefore, easily measurable.

Non-sampling errors can occur at the various stages of the survey implementation in data collection and data processing, and are generally difficult to be evaluated statistically. They cover a wide range of errors, including errors resulting from non-response, sample frame coverage, data processing and response (both respondent and interviewer-related). The use of effective training and supervisions and the careful design of questions as measures have direct bearing on the magnitude of non-sampling errors, and hence the quality of the resulting data are of high quality.

Since the terrorist organization Hamas launched its attacks on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023, around 1,200 Israelis died, and 5,431 were injured. Through retaliation attacks by the Israeli armed forces against Hamas in Gaza, 56,156 Palestinians were killed, and 132.239 were injured. As of January 2025, the number of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank was 924, due to the on going conflict. Information on the data situation Data on the number of fatalities and injuries are based on the UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) reporting by both parties to the conflict. The respective data sources were named for the purpose of transparency. It must be stated that in the case of wars and other conflicts, objective data collection is almost impossible, and reports are based on estimates. At the same time, it needs to be noted that some parties to the conflict may use numbers and data selectively for their own agenda. Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, 2023 Before October 2023, there had been four wars between Israel and Hamas. The current conflict is already the deadliest, and the death toll is certain to rise. The new escalation of violence in the Middle East started after the militant Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel in the early hours of October 7, 2023. An estimated 2,200 rockets were fired by Hamas from Gaza toward Israeli targets, hitting civilian buildings and military facilities. Hamas fighters entered the Israeli territory, killing around 1,200 of Israeli citizens. In the weeks that followed, the Israeli military conducted an aerial bombardment and launched a ground offensive in Gaza. Humanitarian pauses allowed aid to get into Gaza, but fighting has continued since a weeklong cease-fire ended on December 1, 2023. Operation Iron Swords and the humanitarian situation of Gaza Initially, Israel reacted to the Hamas attacks with further isolation of the Gaza Strip, cutting off the supply of electricity, fuel, and drinking water. As of November 6, 2023, water supply to parts of the Gaza Strip has been resumed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) summoned the Palestinians to evacuate the northern part of the Gaza Strip towards the south of Gaza in the direction of the Egyptian border. This affects around 1.93 million people out of the 2.06 million inhabitants of Gaza. According to the UN, over one million people are internally displaced inside the Gaza Strip. Some trucks with relief supplies could infrequently enter the territory via the Rafah border from Egypt. This Israeli military operation is one of the longest-lasting in Gaza, and over 6,000 bombs were already dropped by the IDF.