OECD: Israeli housing is overcrowded, expensive

Israel’s housing conditions are among the worst among the OECD’s 36 member states, according to the Better Life Index.

By EINAT PAZ-FRANKEL
Fischer Steinitz get OECD report 311 (photo credit: Yael Ben Simhon, Finance Ministry)
Fischer Steinitz get OECD report 311
(photo credit: Yael Ben Simhon, Finance Ministry)
Israel’s housing conditions are among the worst among the OECD’s 36 member states, according to the Better Life Index. In contrast to other components of the index, where Israel is outstanding (a score of 8.5 out of 10 for life satisfaction and 8.8 for health), Israel is failing when it comes to housing.
Israel received a score 4.1 for housing, 4.1 for environment, 4.9 for education and a dismal 1.8 for civil engagement.
The OECD ranked Israel No. 28 out of 36 member states in housing, below Mexico. The index cited crowding, expenditure on housing and a home’s basic facilities.
Israel ranked No. 30 in rooms per person, at 1.2, compared with the OECD average of 1.6 rooms per person. Canada was No. 1, with 2.5 rooms per person, and Turkey was last, with 0.9 rooms per person.
Israelis spend an average of 22 percent of their net disposable income on housing, more than the 19% or less spent by Norwegians, Mexicans, Irish, Portuguese and South Koreans. Russia was No.
36, at 11%. New Zealand was No. 1, at 29%.
Ninety-six percent of Israelis live in homes with basic facilities, which ranked No. 27. That means 4% of Israelis, or 300,000 people, lack a toilet at home. Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States topped the list, with 100% of residents in homes with basic facilities.
Nonetheless, 83% of Israelis said they were satisfied with their homes, which was still below the OECD average of 87%.