The birthrate in the Palestinian Authority (PA) declined from six percent in 1997 to 4.6 percent in 2009, according to figures released Thursday by the PA's Central Bureau of Statistics. According to the bureau, the population of the PA-assigned areas of Judea and Samaria is 2.4 million, while the Gaza population is 1.5 million.
According to the report, the mortality rate has also dropped, going from 4.5 to 3.5 per thousand people, relatively low compared to sovereign Arab governments.
The report says 33 percent of the population lives under the poverty line, with an average salary of 1,900 shekels about ($480), and the unemployment rate is 25 percent. At the same time, almost all homes have basic electric appliances (refrigerator, stove, television), 82 percent of homes have a satellite dish and 15 percent are connected to the internet.