The social and economic impact of the war is increasingly being reflected inside Israel, with Hebrew reports pointing to rising mental health problems, growing numbers of disabled people, and shifting demographic trends, including fewer Israelis returning after emigration and a decline in marriage rates.
According to the “Face of Society” report published on Monday by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli society is facing mounting pressures two years after the outbreak of the war, particularly among families of reserve soldiers.
The report found that 34.1per cent of spouses of reserve soldiers reported financial difficulties following their partners’ military service. It also said 52 per cent of respondents noted a negative change in their children’s mental health, while 35.2 per cent of families with children said they experienced financial hardship after reserve duty.
The report also documented a rise in the proportion of people suffering from depression, increasing from 25.5 per cent in 2023 to 33.9 per cent in 2024.
The sharpest increases were recorded in communities located close to conflict zones. In settlements within 15 kilometres of the Lebanese border, the percentage of residents reporting depression rose from 24.8 per cent to 36.5 per cent, while in settlements near the Gaza border it increased from 25.3 per cent to 29.2 per cent.
Hebrew sources said the war’s societal impact has also been linked to a weakening sense of personal security, greater psychological stress, and growing strain on family and social life across Israel.