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.
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)