Tuesday is International Children's Day, and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released a report in its honor. 

In 2006, 2.366 million children aged 17 and under lived in Israel - approximately a third of the entire population.  Among them are 1,633,100 million Jews (30% of the Jewish population), 39,000 Christians, and 570,000 Muslims plus 46,000 Druze (close to 50% of the Arab population).

The highest percentage of children in the country - 63% - is found in the hareidi-religious city of Beitar Illit, south of Jerusalem, followed by the Bedouin towns of Tel Sheva (61.7%) and Rahat (60.9). Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh have approximately 50% children.  Tel Aviv is the city with the lowest rate, only 20%. 

In 1995, Jews comprised 74.3% of Israel's child population, while in 2006, it had dropped to 69%.  Arab children rose from 24.4% to 27.7%. 

The 30% rate of Jewish children amidst the total population compares favorably with 17% in Italy, 18% in Germany, 25% in the United States.  In Egypt, Jordan and Syria, however, the rate is 40-44%.

92% of the children live with both parents.

Just over 400,000 children are registered in welfare service offices - among them 65% Jews and 29% Arabs.

The highest percentage of children is found in the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria - 45.5%, followed by 40.9% in Jerusalem. 

During 2005, more than 1,600 girls under aged 17 were married - 84% of them Arab. The Knesset is to vote on Wednesday on proposed legislation raising the minimum age for marriage from 17 to 18.  The Knesset will mark Children's Day day with a session on the topic of youth marriages, with the participation of MKs, rabbis, religious Moslem and Druze leaders, lawyers, and representatives of the police and various organizations.

Israel's Education Ministry is marking International Children's Day with special classes and seminars.  An open phone line is open with the National Students Council.  

Most Popular Names
The 3rd-most popular boys' name in 2005, Itai, jumped to 1st place last year, having been bestowed upon 2.5% of the baby boys.  It was followed by Uri/Ori, Noam, Daniel, David, Ido, Moshe, Yosef, Yehonatan, Yonatan, Amit, and Ariel.

As in the past eight years, Noa was the most popular girls' name, and has become even more so.  It was given to 3.4% of the baby girls born in 2006, compared to 3% the year before.  The next-most popular names were Shira, Maya, Yael, Tamar, Sarah, Roni, Agam, Michal, Adi and Talya.

Among Moslems, the most common names were Muhammed and Shahad.