Rise in education, gaps in divorce: snapshot of Ethiopian Israelis

Ahead of the Sigd holiday, the Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data on Ethiopian Israelis: nearly 180,000 residents, an increase in the number of academic degree recipients, alongside gaps in divorce, criminal justice, and out-of-home placements.

Ahead of the Sigd holiday, the Central Bureau of Statistics published a snapshot of Ethiopian Israelis in Israel, numbering nearly 180,000 residents. The data shows an increase in the number of academic degree recipients – 1,126 in the 2024-2025 academic year, a 6.8% rise from the previous year. The rate of eligibility for a matriculation certificate meeting university threshold requirements is on an upward trend. Alongside this, notable gaps exist: the divorce rate among Ethiopian Israelis is higher (15.5 vs. 9.1 per thousand married), and the rate of placements in out-of-home frameworks is higher (7.5 vs. 4.5 per thousand people). In 2024, 7.8% of all defendants in courts were Ethiopian Israelis, and among minors – 8.6%. The data is based on a CBS report and presents a mixed picture of progress alongside challenges.