Of the 2.4 million children and youth growing up in Israel, an estimated 350,000 children and youth in Israel are considered to be "at risk." These are youngsters whose welfare is currently at risk or whose development is threatened in the following areas: physical well-being, sense of belonging to family, acquisition of education and skills, emotional security, social integration, or protection (from others or self).
Some are considered to be at "mild" risk (with problems in one or two areas that pose minimal harm to their welfare or well-being), while others are at "severe" risk (with multiple problems that pose substantial harm to their welfare, well-being and development). This latter group living in extreme circumstances is considered to be on the edge of the risk continuum and will usually be those who need relatively extensive, complex and varied solutions. Risk situations and consequent expressions of distress are also often distinct for children and youth from different cultural backgrounds or genders, and for those with special needs.
Some Statistics
34% live below the poverty line
8.2% are raised by single parents
8.5% struggle with special needs or chronic illnesses that affect daily functioning
Almost 10% are immigrants
17% are known to the welfare authorities, owing to poor family financial situation, to domestic violence, or to problems with parents’ functioning, addictions or health.
7.5% of students in the Jewish sector and 15.8% of students in the Israeli Arab sector do not complete high school
* Information and statistics on this page provided in conjunction with The Engelberg Center for Children and Youth at the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute; National Insurance Institute; and the National Council for the Child annual statistic report "The State of the Child in Israel 2009".
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