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Report: Jerusalem ranks last in quality of life among major Israeli cities

Out of 51 indices, Jerusalem fared poorer than the national average in 33, according to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market on March 3, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90.
Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market on March 3, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90.

Israel’s capital ranked last in quality of life out of the country’s 16 largest cities (defined as those with more than 100,000 residents), according to the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

“Out of 51 indices available for Jerusalem, in 18 indices its condition is better than the national average, and in 33 indices its condition is poorer than the national average,” according to the report.

Jerusalem fared poorer than the national average in the long-term unemployment rate (28.3 percent vs. 20.3 percent), satisfaction with living space (75.6 percent vs. 85.7 percent), satisfaction with the economic situation (55.9 percent vs. 65.8 percent) and access to computers (77.4 percent vs. 83.8 percent).

Jerusalem fared better in the quality of drinking water (0.0 percent coliform bacteria) and in feelings of deep depression (20.3 percent vs. 22.9 percent).

The city that scored the highest overall was Kfar Saba, a suburb of Tel Aviv. It led in life expectancy, satisfaction with living space, satisfaction with neighborhood cleanliness and general trust in others, among other indices.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa led in employment rate, matriculation eligibility rate and computer access.

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