TV viewing rates

Aviel Yelinek 

Israelis are watching more and more television. During 2011 the average Israeli watched more than 232 minutes of television daily, an increase of 3% since last year and 33% since 2001. Among Israeli households, 89% had a television (75% in Jerusalem), and 53% of households had two or more televisions (28% in Jerusalem). Data for 2011 indicate that Jerusalem residents watched less television than did residents of Tel Aviv or Haifa. Of Jerusalemites surveyed, 41% stated that they do not watch television at all or do not watch regularly, compared with 8% of Tel Aviv residents and 9% of Haifa residents. Forty percent of Jerusalemites reported that they watch up to two hours daily (compared with 58% in Tel Aviv and 53% in Haifa), and 19% of Jerusalemites stated that they watched over two hours daily (compared with 33% in Tel Aviv and 39% in Haifa). Among Jerusalem households, 35% had cable or satellite television subscriptions, which is lower than the figure for Israel (62%), Tel Aviv (66%), and Haifa (70%). 

The extent of television watched varies by age group. In general, lower ages watch less television per day, and as the age rises television watching increases. For example, 18% of those aged 20-34 years reported that they do not watch television at all, compared with 13% of ages 35-49 and 10% of ages 50-64 and up. The age group 64 and up had the highest percentage of those who reported watching over two hours daily, at 56%, compared with 35% of 50-64-year olds, 30% of 35-49-year olds, and 31% of 20-34-year olds. The extent of television watching also varies in accordance with degree of religious observance. Among Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox), 88% stated that they do not watch television at all, compared with 13% of those who are observant or traditional, and 4% of the secular population. The data indicate that the secular watch more television – 35% watched over two hours daily, compared with 28% of the observant or traditional population and only 1% of the Haredim. 

Sources: Analysis of data of the 2011 Social Survey , Data of the Israel Audience Research Board

How Do Jerusalemites Spend Their Money?

Aviel Yelinek 

The Central Bureau of Statistics recently published new data regarding the breakdown of monthly expenditures of households in Israel’s cities. The breakdown of monthly expenditures is one of the indices used in assessing the socio-economic standing of cities’ residents.

In 2011 the average expenditure for household consumption in Jerusalem stood at NIS 13,100 per month, which was lower than the figure for Tel Aviv (15,400) and Rishon LeZion (14,900) but higher than the figure for Haifa (12,100) and Ashdod (12,500). But these figures do not give the full picture. An average Jerusalem household comprises 3.9 persons, which is the highest number among the major cities. A more accurate picture therefore requires us to examine the total average expenditure per person. Accordingly, the statistics put Jerusalem in the last place among the major cities – the average expenditure per person in Jerusalem stood at NIS 3,300, which was lower than the figure for Tel Aviv (NIS 6,800), Haifa (NIS 5,100), Rishon LeZion (NIS 4,800), and Ashdod (NIS 3,700).

The greatest expenditure of Jerusalem’s households, like that of the households in most of Israel’s major cities, is housing. Jerusalem’s residents expended some NIS 3,650 monthly on housing, and this figure constituted 28% of their total monthly expenditures. Other major expenditures included food (16%), transportation and communication (16%), education, culture, and entertainment (13%), and maintenance of the home and household (10%). Haifa residents were the exception in this context, as they expended more on transportation and communication (23%) than on housing (22%).

The amount of expenditures on food is relatively consistent across the major cities, but there are differences in taste. For example, in 2010 the average Jerusalem household expended about NIS 340 per month on bread, grains, and bread products, as compared to NIS 230 in Tel Aviv and NIS 240 in Haifa. The average Jerusalem household expended about NIS 400 per month on meat and poultry, as compared to only NIS 225 in Tel Aviv and Haifa. In contrast, the average monthly expenditure of Jerusalem households for meals outside the home stood at NIS 240, significantly lower than the figure for Tel Aviv (NIS 690) and Haifa (NIS 330). 

Source: Analysis of data from the Central Bureau of Statistics

How Do Jerusalemites Spend Their Leisure Time?

Aviel Yelinek

This year the annual social survey published by the Central Bureau of Statistics included questions that address the culture of recreation among Israel’s residents. Survey participants were asked whether they had attended theater plays, entertainment shows, or children’s plays during the past year, among other questions. The data reveal that only 28% of Jerusalem’s residents attended one of the types of shows listed above during the past year. This figure is much lower than the percentage among residents of Tel Aviv-Jaffa (63%), Rishon LeZion and Petach Tikva (59%), and Haifa (52%).

The low rate of attendance is a function of the composition of the city’s population. For example, within the Jewish sector, only 9% of Jerusalemites who define themselves as ultra-orthodox (haredi) attended cultural events of the sort listed above, as compared to 46% of religious residents and 68% of secular residents. Rates of attendance differ between Jerusalem’s Jewish and Arab residents as well. Among Jews the rate of attendance was 38%, whereas among Arabs it was only 7%.

Likewise, the percentage of Jerusalem’s moviegoers is influenced by the composition of the city’s population. The percentage of moviegoers among Jerusalem’s residents was 25%, lower than the rate in Tel Aviv (66%), Rishon LeZion (55%), Haifa (50%), or Petach Tikva (49%).

And what about book reading? A total of 63% of Jerusalemites said that they had read books during their leisure time over the previous year, lower than the figure for Petach Tikva (64%), Rishon LeZion (65%), Haifa (67%), or Tel Aviv-Jaffa (72%). The extent of religious observance among Jews does not especially influence the percentage of book readers, which is similar across the various groups. In contrast, there is a significant difference between Jerusalem’s Jews and Arabs on this question: the percentage of Jews who had read books during the previous year was 72%, higher than the figure for Arabs, which was 43%.

It is interesting to note that among Jerusalemites who reported reading books, 40% devoted two hours per week to book reading, 29% devoted between two and five hours weekly, 12% devoted between five and ten hours, and 10% spent ten or more hours per week reading books. An additional 9% reported that they do not read books on a regular basis. 

Source: Analysis of data from the Central Bureau of Statistics’ 2011 social survey

In Good Faith

Aviel Yelinek

Jerusalem’s population is diverse, comprising groups with varying characteristics, including groups that differ from one another in the extent of their religious observance.

The social survey that the Central Bureau of Statistics conducts within the population aged 20 and above reveals that during the years 2008-2010 (on average), 31% of the Jews in Jerusalem defined themselves as traditional, 29% as haredi (ultra-orthodox), 21% as religious, and 19% as secular. The percentage of Jews aged 20 and above in Jerusalem who defined themselves as haredi was the highest among the large cities of Israel and was significantly higher than the percentage of haredim in Israel (8%). In comparison, the percentage of haredim in Tel Aviv was 2%, in Haifa 3%, and in Rishon LeZion only 1%. The percentage of religious Jews in Jerusalem (21%) was also higher than the average for Israel (10%). The percentage of traditional Jews (traditional-religious and traditional-not-so-religious) in Jerusalem stood at 31%, lower than the average for Israel (39%) and the lowest of the major cities in Israel. And what about the secular? The percentage of secular Jews in Jerusalem (19%) was much lower than the average for Israel (42%) and was the lowest of the major cities in Israel. The percentage of secular Jews in Tel Aviv, for example, was the highest among the major cities, measuring 59%, compared to 58% for Haifa, 47% for Rishon LeZion, and 32% for Ashdod.

Within the non-Jewish sector as well, the extent of religious observance in Jerusalem was higher than the average for Israel and for its major cities. The data reveal that 14% of non-Jewish Jerusalemites defined themselves as very religious, compared to 60% who defined themselves as religious, 21% as not so religious, and only 5% as not religious. In comparison, only 7% of the non-Jews in Israel defined themselves as very religious (half of the figure for Jerusalem), 46% defined themselves as religious, 26% as not so religious, and 21% as not religious (four times the figure for Jerusalem). In Haifa and Tel Aviv the extent of religious observance of non-Jews was especially low. The percentage of very religious non-Jews in these cities measured 1%-2% and the percentage of religious non-Jews measured 23% and 22% respectively.

 

Source: Analysis of data from the social survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics 

Good Night Jerusalem

Aviel Yelinek

Much has been written about the importance of a good night’s sleep. The optimal length of sleep time varies from one individual to another, but most studies recommend seven to eight hours of sleep for adults. The quality and continuity of sleep are no less important and have an enormous effect on daily functioning and quality of life. The 2010 Social Survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics questioned individuals aged 20 and above about the number of hours they sleep per night and the continuity of their sleep.

The data reveals that almost half of all Jerusalemites sleep fewer than seven hours per night. A total of 5% of Jerusalemites reported that they sleep four or fewer hours per night, 42% reported that they sleep five to six hours per night, 48% reported sleeping seven to eight hours per night, and 5% sleep more than nine hours per night. These statistics are similar to the figures for average hours of sleep among residents of Israel.

And what about quality of sleep? Survey participants were asked whether and how frequently they had trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the whole night. The percentage of Jerusalemites who had trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the whole night on a nightly or nearly nightly basis was 12%. A total of 9% had such difficulties two or three times a week, 13% had difficulties once a week or less often, and 66% had no trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the whole night. Jerusalemites slept better than residents of Haifa, for example, where over a fifth (22%) had trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the whole night, and only slightly more than half (54%) never had such difficulties.

Survey participants who reported having trouble sleeping were asked about the extent to which their sleep problems affected their daily functioning. Of the Jerusalemites with sleep problems, 40% reported that their daily functioning was affected to a large extent or to a very large extent. In comparison, this figure stands at 29% for Haifa residents, 35% for Tel Aviv residents, and 36% for Israel’s residents. 

Source: Analysis of Central Bureau of Statistics data

Don't worry be happy

Aviel Yelinek

Many people experience stress or worry at some point in their lives. At times this is a natural reaction of the body as it prepares itself to be tested or to face important events, but in many cases it is a matter of significant emotional overload that could continue for a long time and undermine quality or life or even day-to-day functionality.

The 2010 Social Survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics questioned individuals aged 20 and above about the stress and worry they feel in the course of their daily lives. The questions focused on the feelings of the respondents during the 12 months preceding the survey.

The data reveal that 19% of Jerusalemites frequently felt stressed. This was lower than the figure for Israel (24%), Tel Aviv (26%), and Haifa (35%). A particularly striking statistic is the percentage of Jerusalemites who felt no stress: 39%. This was significantly higher than the figure for Israel (23%), Haifa (21%), and Tel Aviv (15%). Assessment by gender reveals that women tend to feel stress more than men. Among women in Israel, 29% reported that they frequently felt stressed, compared to 19% of men. Likewise, 19% of women reported that they did not feel any stress, compared to 28% of men.

Another interesting question focused on the effect of worry on quality of sleep. The percentage of Jerusalemites who reported that worries frequently disturbed their sleep stood at 11%. This was lower than the figure for Tel Aviv (14%), Israel (15%), and Haifa (20%). Likewise, the percentage of Jerusalemites who reported no sleep disturbances due to worries was 46%, which is higher than the figure for Haifa (41%), Israel (40%), and Tel Aviv (37%). Interestingly, the percentage of women in Israel who reported that worries frequently disturb their sleep measured 17%, which is higher than the figure for men (11%). Accordingly, the percentage of women who reported that their sleep was never disrupted by worries stood at 33%, which lower than the figure for men (48%).

Source: Analysis of Central Bureau of Statistics data

Health Insured and Health Ensured

Aviel Yelinek

Since the entry into force of the National Health Insurance Law in 1994, Israel’s residents have the right to register with one of the state’s Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO, in Hebrew – Kupat Holim, “sick fund”), which include a variety of healthcare services and medicines as designated and periodically updated by the Ministry of Health in its “basket” of healthcare services. This “basket” defines which healthcare services and medicines must be provided by the HMO to all of its insured members. The insurance is funded by means of a healthcare tax based on a percentage of the monthly income of every employee. Health insurance does not cover all of the medicines or treatments available through modern medicine. For this reason the HMOs themselves, as well as private companies, offer supplementary insurance aimed at partial or complete coverage for treatments and medicines that are not included in the “basket” of healthcare services.

According to the Social Survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2010 a total of 76% of Israel’s residents had supplementary health insurance from one of the HMOs. The percentage of Jerusalemites with supplementary insurance was 60%, which was significantly lower than the figure for residents of Tel Aviv (88%), Rishon LeZion (87%), and Haifa (83%). The data also indicates that 41% of Israelis had disability insurance as well through one of the HMOs. The percentage of Jerusalemites with disability insurance was only 21%, which was significantly lower than the figure for residents of Tel Aviv (59%), Rishon LeZion (47%), and Haifa (45%). The percentage of individuals with disability insurance rises as the age of the insured population rises, and therefore, the low percentage of Jerusalem’s disability-insured population is most likely a result of the city’s high percentage of children under the age of 18.

Interestingly, 28% of Israelis had private health insurance outside the framework of the HMOs. The percentage of Jerusalemites with private health insurance was only 18%, which was lower than the figure for residents of Rishon LeZion (41%), Haifa (35%), and Tel Aviv (32%).

Eating Healthy

Aviel Yelinek

In recent years we have seen an increasing awareness of healthy nutrition. Every few months, new research findings shed light on various aspects of good nutrition such as recommended foods, foods that should be avoided, and vitamins and minerals whose consumption is especially important. Chain store shelves are stocked with new “health” products. If in the past we settled for eating a bread roll or pita, today we are exposed to a variety of breads made of whole wheat, rye, and various grains. Ingredients that were known to only a few in the past, such as Omega-3 or bifidobacteria (bio yogurts), have received widespread public recognition, and today they are being added to many foods as part of the effort to market these foods as “healthier” than the competition. “Healthy” foods such as quinoa or whole grain (brown) rice are popular in many households these days.

In this context, the 2010 Social Survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics provides interesting data regarding the nutrition habits of Jerusalem residents.

Dieticians advise eating breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day. Compared to residents of other major cities in Israel, Jerusalemites are the “healthiest” in this respect, and 66% of them are strict about eating breakfast every day. This figure compares to 61% of Haifa residents, 57% of Rishon LeZion residents, 55% of Israel’s residents, and 50% of Tel Aviv residents. Accordingly, the percentage of Jerusalemites who reported that they almost never eat breakfast (once a week or less often) was the lowest among the major cities, at 18%. This compares to 21% of Haifa residents, 24% of Israel’s residents, 28% of Rishon LeZion residents, and 31% of Tel Aviv residents.

Another question addressed eating habits regarding fruits and vegetables. Here too, Jerusalemites were found to be the “healthiest.” The percentage of Jerusalem residents who reported that they are extremely strict or very strict about eating fruits and vegetables stood at 74%. This is similar to Tel Aviv residents (74%) and higher than the figure for residents of Israel (68%), Haifa (67%), and Rishon LeZion (66%).

It is interesting to note that compared to residents of the other major cities, Jerusalemites are less strict about examining the nutritional ingredients on food packages. The percentage of Jerusalem residents who reported doing so frequently or sometimes stood at 49%, lower than the percentage for residents of Israel (57%), Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion (65%), and Haifa (67%).

Source: Analysis of data from the Social Survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Little Red Corvette or Pink Cadillac?

Aviel Yelinek


In 2010 approximately 2.05 million private motor vehicles traversed Israel’s roads. Israel has a motorization rate of 267 private motor vehicles for every 1,000 residents, which is relatively low in comparison to other developed countries. Approximately 39% of vehicles in Israel were produced in Japan, 11% in South Korea, and 8% in Spain and in France (each). Interestingly, only about 4% of motor vehicles in Israel were produced in the United States. Among the private motor vehicles added to Israel’s roads in the past year, the highest relative proportion belonged to Mazda (16%). The company that came in second place was Hyundai (15%), and in third place was Toyota (11%).

The motorization rate and the average age of motor vehicles are usually indicators of a population’s socio-economic status. Typically, the higher a population’s socio-economic status is, the higher its motorization rate will be and the lower the average age of its motor vehicles will be.

The motorization rate in Jerusalem in 2009 measured 169 private motor vehicles per 1,000 persons, which was one of the lowest rates among the country’s cities. For the sake of comparison, the motorization rates in Be’er Sheva measured 198 vehicles per 1,000 persons. In Rishon LeZion this figure stood at 295, and for Haifa it was 321. The motorization rate in Tel Aviv was among the highest in the country, measuring 469 private motor vehicles for every 1,000 persons. As the graph shows, Jerusalem’s motorization rate is relatively low in comparison with its adjacent localities, excluding Beit Shemesh and the Haredi localities.

The data regarding the average age of private vehicles paint a similar picture. The average age of a private vehicle in Israel in 2009 was 6.9 years. The average age of a private vehicle in Jerusalem was the highest among major cities, measuring 8.3. The average age in Be’er Sheva was 7.2. In Rishon LeZion it was 7.0, and in Haifa it measured 6.2. The average age of motor vehicles in Tel Aviv was among the lowest in the country, measuring 4.8.