New Leader Emerges in Quality of Life Rankings for Major Cities in Israel

According to a survey by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Herzliya has the highest quality of life indices, which examined residents’ satisfaction in 18 major cities in Israel across 49 metrics. Other high-score cities include Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Beit Shemesh. Which city is at the bottom of the list?

By Doron Breitman, Nadlan Center

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Herzliya is the city with the highest score in quality of life indices, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) report released this morning (Monday). Herzliya leads in most quality-of-life metrics compared to the 18 largest cities (with over 100,000 residents). Out of the 49 metrics available for Herzliya, it performed better than the national average in 32 metrics and worse in 17. This is the first year Herzliya has been included in the CBS survey.

Herzliya leads in metrics such as median household income from work (NIS 29,517 compared to a national average of NIS 18,837), the lowest housing density (0.65 compared to an average of 0.84 persons per room), the percentage of employees satisfied with their income (77.6% compared to 67.9%), life satisfaction (96.8% compared to 91.1%), general trust in others (63.6% compared to 40.4%), and satisfaction with economic status (85.2% compared to 67.5%). However, Herzliya performed below the national average in affordable housing (18.8% compared to 29.1%) and feelings of depression (29.8% compared to 25.5%).

Other cities with high scores in quality of life indices include Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Beit Shemesh. Kfar Saba leads in residential area satisfaction (99% compared to 86%), high school graduation eligibility (74.5% compared to 53.6%), life expectancy (85.3 compared to 83.1 years), satisfaction with parks and green spaces (90.8% compared to 61.7%), and cleanliness of the living area (90.8% compared to 61.9%). Ramat Gan leads in the percentage of employees whose job matches their field of study (81.0% compared to 75.8%) and has the lowest infant mortality rate (0.7 compared to 2.7 per 1,000 live births).

Rehovot excels in trust in the healthcare system (89.6% compared to 79.2%), the feeling of being able to influence government policy (18.1% compared to 13.1%), and the use of online government services (78.7% compared to 56.8%). Rishon Lezion leads in high school graduation eligibility (73.1% compared to 53.6%) and the lowest percentage of perceived discrimination (15.8% compared to 23.7%). Beit Shemesh joined the group of cities with high overall quality of life scores in 2023, excelling in expectations for the future (72.6% compared to 59.3%) and having the lowest percentage of residents reporting external noise disturbances (26.4% compared to 30.5%).

Ashkelon and Be’er Sheva are at the bottom, and Tel Aviv and Netanya are in the middle

Conversely, the five cities with the lowest quality of life scores are Ashkelon, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Jerusalem, and Bat Yam. Bat Yam ranks the lowest in quality of life indices, performing better than the national average in only 14 metrics and worse in 35. Bat Yam underperformed significantly in metrics such as the percentage of employees whose job matches their field of study (41.9% compared to 75.8%), self-assessment of health (73.7% compared to 84.2%), and satisfaction with housing (72.8% compared to 88.0%).

Five cities, classified as “in the middle,” meaning they have moderate overall scores in quality of life indices, are Haifa, Petah Tikva, Netanya, Holon, Hadera, Bnei Brak, and Tel Aviv-Yafo. Haifa dropped to the mid-tier group in 2023 but leads in having the lowest percentage of long-term unemployment (17.3% compared to 18.1%) and the lowest dissatisfaction with commuting time (29.9% compared to 44.3%). Petah Tikva is among the leaders in the cleanliness of residential areas (81.7% compared to 61.9%) and ranks second-lowest in the percentage of households spending 30% or more of net income on housing (28.2% compared to 34.6%).

Netanya excels in the lowest monthly housing service costs (20.1% compared to 23.9%) and trust in the government (41.8% compared to 26.9%). Hadera joined the mid-tier group in 2023, ranking second in affordable housing (42.1% compared to 29.1%). Bnei Brak also joined the mid-tier group in 2023, leading in expectations for the future (79.2% compared to 59.3%), the percentage of those involved in volunteer activities (36.0% compared to 26.6%), and online security confidence (60.2% compared to 40.1%).

Tel Aviv-Yafo excels in employment rates (71.2% compared to 61.3%), the lowest percentage of employees in part-time jobs unwillingly (0.49% compared to 1%), employees with promotional opportunities, the lowest rate of loneliness (17.2% compared to 20.4%), and civic engagement (39.6% compared to 17.1%). However, Tel Aviv-Yafo performed below the national average in metrics such as the lowest affordable housing rate (10.8% compared to 29.1%), spending 30% or more on housing (50.8% compared to 34.6%), and recycling rates (6.1% compared to 25.6%).

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The contents of this article are designed to provide the reader with general information and not to serve as legal or other professional advice for a particular transaction. Readers are advised to obtain advice from qualified professionals prior to entering into any transaction.

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