Challenges: Spending per preschool child is $930 compared to OECD average of $11,570

Israel, long recognized for its prowess in innovation and academia, now faces a troubling descent in the OECD's education yearbook "Education View." This internationally renowned statistical publication is an important benchmark in the field of education, and Israel's recent rankings are raising concerns.

The latest edition of the yearbook highlights both achievements and setbacks in Israel's education landscape. While Israel has boasted a high proportion of academics among the adult population (ages 25-64), ranking fourth among developed countries in recent years, the 2023 report reveals a concerning decline. This decline is not due to a deterioration in the Israeli education system itself but rather a failure to keep pace with advancements in other nations.

One of the most alarming trends in the report is Israel's falling ranking in the proportion of young academics (ages 25-34). In 2015, Israel held the 14th spot among developed countries, but by 2022, it had slipped to 20th place. This decline is attributed to a stagnation in the number of young academics in Israel, which remained at 46%, while other developed nations saw an increase from 41% to 47%. For example, South Korea, a leader in the OECD, boasts 70% of young people as academics, and Ireland, a high-tech competitor, is close behind at 63%.

This decline in young academics may ultimately cause Israel to slide further in the overall rankings in the coming years, jeopardizing its competitive edge.

A Political System at Fault

The root of this issue is not within the education system itself but lies in the political arena. Despite the significant presence of Arab and ultra-Orthodox education systems, both of which lag behind, in the Israeli education landscape, the government has not made sufficient efforts to integrate these groups into academia. The resultant struggle to maintain the existing academic rate is akin to a Sisyphean task. The underinvestment in Arab education compared to Jewish education and the scandal of education without core studies for a quarter of Israeli boys only exacerbate the problem.

Furthermore, the allocation of billions of shekels to non-core ultra-Orthodox education and yeshivas while halting funds for the 550 program for Arab society development ensures that Israel's academic standing will continue to suffer.

The yearbook also highlights another alarming figure: Israel ranks eighth among developed countries in the proportion of inactive young people (ages 18-24) who are neither working nor studying. With 17.5%, this statistic surpasses the OECD average of 14.7%. The divide is stark among sectors, with 29% of young Arab men and 40% of young women falling into this category compared to only 12% among their non-Orthodox Jewish peers. This disparity has serious consequences, including the potential recruitment of young individuals into organized crime.

To combat this issue, addressing Arab youth's needs and offering them opportunities for a promising future should be a priority, along with measures to deter organized crime.

One of the most concerning findings is Israel's abysmal investment in early childhood education. In 2020, government spending per preschool child aged 2-5 in Israel was a mere $930, adjusted for purchasing power, compared to the OECD average of $11,570. This represents a sharp decrease from $1,075 in 2019. Even Australia, second from the bottom, spends 6 times more per toddler than Israel.

National spending on early childhood education in Israel is also the lowest among developed countries, at $3,200 compared to the average of $15,600. Government expenditure represents just 29% of the national expenditure, far below the developed countries' average of 74%. These figures underscore a lack of investment in early childhood, despite its proven importance for a child's future.

While Israel may appear to lead in national expenditure on education relative to GDP, standing at 4.8% in 2020 compared to the OECD average of 3.4%, this figure can be misleading. Israel's high birth rate necessitates a higher GDP allocation, nearly 7%, to truly prioritize education. The accurate measure of commitment to education is the national expenditure per student in relation to GDP per capita, where Israel ranks 13th from the bottom.

In light of these findings, Israel faces a pressing need to address its education challenges and prioritize investment in its future generations to regain its competitive edge on the global stage.