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Haredim

By 2050, Almost One in Four Israelis Will Be Ultra-Orthodox, Study Indicates

An analysis released Tuesday, February 10, by the Israel Democracy Institute projects that Israel’s Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community could comprise roughly one in four citizens by 2050. Depending on the pace of educational and workforce integration, the report outlines sharply divergent outcomes for Israel’s economy and social fabric. If current trends persist, Israel could see declines in matriculation eligibility, university degree attainment, and overall employment rates; if integration accelerates, indicators improve markedly, and GDP losses can be avoided.

Demographics shape national readiness as well: the IDF’s recruiting base is already shifting, and by 2050, Haredim could account for 40% of those designated for military service. That prospect has reanimated debates about conscription exemptions and the need for a new “social contract.” Policymakers are weighing how best to pair support for religious communities with core curriculum benchmarks, military or national service, and incentives for full participation in the workforce.

The study’s authors argue that choices made now—on education standards, service obligations, and targeted economic policy—will ripple for decades. Communities across Israel already feel the strain between tradition and integration, yet many leaders see opportunity in charting a path that honors religious life while equipping the next generation to thrive in a high-tech economy.

(TOI/VFI News)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11