Country explorer: Palestine
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Palestine is a complex, upper-middle-income country in the Middle East with a small population. Its economy has been volatile in recent decades, and is based on agriculture, tourism and construction.
Palestine produces some of the world's best olive oil, known for its quality and health benefits.
Economy
Palestine has demonstrated resilience amidst geopolitical challenges, with gradual improvements in GDP per capita and poverty reduction efforts, yet faces persistently high unemployment and inflation rates, reflecting economic volatility comparable to some regional peers but with distinctive constraints tied to its political context.
Demographics
Palestine has experienced a notable decrease in fertility rates from 5.4 to 3.5 children per woman, consistent population growth reaching over 5 million despite a continued net emigration, and modest improvements in life expectancy, characteristics shared with many other nations undergoing demographic transition yet distinct in its context of geopolitical challenges.
Basic needs
Palestine has made notable progress in increasing access to electricity and safely managed drinking water, reflecting significant infrastructural and public health improvements, although it continues to face challenges in the area of safely managed sanitation, a struggle it shares with many of its peers in the region.
Human development
Palestine has experienced modest improvements in human development as reflected by gradual increases in the Human Development Index, reductions in child mortality rates, continued progress in literacy rates, and advancements in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, showcasing its efforts to enhance societal well-being despite facing geopolitical challenges unique among its peers.
Environment & energy
Palestine has seen significant environmental and energy shifts characterized by noticeably low per capita CO₂ emissions in comparison to regional peers, growing investment in renewable energy sources, a decline in per capita renewable freshwater resources, and a gradual increase in forest area, reflecting a nuanced trajectory towards sustainability amidst challenges.
Technology & innovation
Palestine has shown significant growth in technological engagement and innovation, though still facing challenges, it has made notable strides in increasing internet usage, mobile subscriptions, and has seen a rise in scientific publications, indicating a resilient push towards integrating technology and research within its societal and economic frameworks.
Culture & society
Palestine has experienced a significant decrease in its age dependency ratio, reflecting a demographic transition with potential implications for societal structure and economic sustainability, akin to trends seen in other upper-middle-income countries, despite facing unique socio-political challenges.
Governance
In the past two decades, data for Palestine's governance is limited; however, available press freedom scores, noticeably higher than some regional peers, hint at relative resilience and possible attempts to maintain some levels of freedom of expression amid complex political challenges.