Avg. Salary up to 8,160
Avg. Salary up to 8,160Israel News Photo: file

Despite the global financial crisis, the average salary in Israel rose slightly in the first quarter of 2009, government officials reported Monday. The average national salary rose by 0.7 percent in comparison to the first quarter of 2008.

The sharpest salary increase was in the transportation industry, where the average salary jumped by four percent. In the banking and finance industry, the average salary dropped by 3.2 percent.

Overall, the average national salary in the first quarter of 2009 was NIS 8,160. The statistics did not include the self-employed.

While average income increased, the number of jobs available continued to drop. There were 0.8 percent fewer jobs available in the first quarter of 2009 than in the final quarter of 2008. The highest decrease was in the hospitality and food services industry, which saw a 4.5 percent decrease in positions compared to late 2008.

The number of jobs available in the health industry continued to rise, going up by one percent from late 2008 to early 2009.

Teen Employment on the Rise

While most Israelis face a decreasing demand for employees, data from the Employment Service shows that teenagers will find it easier than ever to find work. More than 1,400 employers are seeking teen employees, an increase of roughly 80 percent from the number of jobs for teens offered in 2008.

According to Employment Service staff who spoke to the Hebrew-language daily Yediot Aharonot, the increase in demand for young employees has been matched by an increase in the number of teens seeking work. More than 2,500 teenagers registered as job seekers in May, an increase of 17.5 percent over the same month last year.