Gaza Unemployment Reaches 80 Percent

On May 1, 2026, the Gaza Ministry of Labour reported that unemployment in the Gaza Strip has surged to 80 percent, with over 250,000 workers losing their jobs since October 2023. This economic deterioration is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict, which has also driven poverty rates above 93 percent and left more than 75 percent of the population facing acute food insecurity.

The conflict has severely impacted Gaza's labor market and infrastructure. Many individuals, like Ibrahim Abu al-Eish, 24, have resorted to hazardous work such as rubble clearing for approximately 80 shekels ($27) daily, despite the risks and insufficient pay to meet basic family needs. Similarly, Yousef al-Rifi, 32, whose bakery was destroyed, now works in a makeshift bakery for about 50 shekels ($17) per day, struggling to support his family.

The Ministry of Labour warned that continued job scarcity will deepen economic stagnation and hinder recovery efforts. It emphasized that lifting the blockade, reopening crossings, and enabling productive sectors are crucial steps to mitigate the crisis, as over 95 percent of Gaza's population now relies on humanitarian aid.