Breaking Update

11% OF Israel’s Labor Force Not Currently Working Due to Iran War

Over 11% of Israel's workforce, approximately 490,000 people, are absent due to the Iran war, affecting arts, education, and commerce.

March 5, 2026 at 9:57 pm Gil Tanenbaum Economy

Jerusalem, 5 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — On the 6th day of the fighting in Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, Israel’s Ministry of Labor published the estimate of damage to the labor market following the special situation declared on the home front. The main industries affected are: arts, entertainment and leisure, management and support services, other services, education and commerce.

According to the Labor Ministry’s estimate, those absent from the labor market due to unemployment, active duty, or reserve forces constitute about 11% of the labor force, which is about 490,000 absentees.

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