More Effective Social Protection for Stronger Economic Growth: Israel

Table of contents

• Main Findings from the OECD 2024 Risks that Matter Survey

Main Findings from the OECD 2024 Risks that Matter Survey

The OECD’s Risks that Matter (RTM) Survey has offered data-driven insights into people’s risk perceptions and preferences for social protection since 2018. Today, Israelis have similar or lower levels of concern than the OECD average for most social and economic risks, with one exception: being the victim of crime or violence.

As technology changes labour markets, respondents in Israel are less likely than the OECD average to anticipate negative impacts on their job (Figure 1). Despite this, Israeli respondents continue to express strong support for many related policy actions, including investment in training, education and digital infrastructure (Figure 2). Support is lowest for migration of workers and taxes on robots and/or technology.

Longer life expectancy and declining fertility contribute to population ageing, with negative implications for economic growth and the financing of social protection. Israeli respondents are notably less concerned about population ageing than the OECD average, but still nearly half of respondents express concern. Reflecting this, respondents in Israel are supportive of measures to increase technology use and increase labour supply, especially among women and underrepresented groups (Figure 3).

Population ageing and competing demands for resources are narrowing the fiscal space for social programmes. These changes are taking place against a backdrop of high levels of debt, a high-interest rate environment, and declining public willingness to pay for social protection. In Israel, willingness to pay 2% more for better social protection has declined since the pandemic for all policy areas except public safety (Figure 4). Declines have been largest for long-term care, health and education.

Figure 1. Technological change perceived as producing both positive and negative impacts

Share (%) predicting selected impacts from digitalisation over the next five years, Israel and OECD average, 2024

Note: Labels simplified from original questions. See Figure 1.5 in main report.

Source: 2024 OECD Risks that Matter Survey (https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/oecd-risks-that-matter-rtm-survey.html).

Figure 2. Calls for re-training and education for workers affected by technological change

Share (%) supporting specified actions as a response to digitalisation, Israel and OECD average, 2024

Note: Labels simplified from original questions. See Figure 2.1 in main report.

Source: 2024 OECD Risks that Matter Survey (https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/oecd-risks-that-matter-rtm-survey.html).

Figure 3. Technology and boosting labour supply are preferred to address worker shortages

Share (%) of respondents who support specified actions to population ageing, Israel and OECD average, 2024

Note: Labels simplified from original questions. LFP refers to labour force participation. See Figure 2.4 in main report.

Source: 2024 OECD Risks that Matter Survey (https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/oecd-risks-that-matter-rtm-survey.html).

Figure 4. Willingness to pay more for social programmes has declined since the pandemic

Share (%) willing to pay 2% more for better social and public benefits, by policy area, Israel, 2018-24

Note: Questions may have changed slighted year-over-year. Labels simplified from original questions. See Figure 3.1 in main report.

Source: OECD Risks that Matter Survey (https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/oecd-risks-that-matter-rtm-survey.html).

This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.

This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.

 

The full book is available in English: OECD (2025), More Effective Social Protection for Stronger Economic Growth: Main Findings from the 2024 Risks that Matter Survey, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/3947946a-en.

 

© OECD 2025

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