Quarter of Palestinians suffer from Poverty

Around 25.8% of Palestinians suffered from poverty in the Palestinian Territory in 2011, said a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on Monday. It showed that slightly more than one out of four individuals was living below poverty line in 2011, 17.8% in the West Bank and 38.8% in Gaza Strip. Similarly about 12.9% of individuals were living below the deep poverty line in 2011, 7.8% in the West Bank and 21.1% in Gaza Strip. In 2011, the poverty line and deep poverty line for the reference household (two adults and three children) stood at 2,293 Israeli shekels ($637) and 1,832 shekels ($509) respectively. The monthly average of per capita expenditure in the Palestinian territory was 158.2 Jordanian dinars (JD), 188.1 JD in the West Bank, and 109.8 JD in Gaza Strip. The report said that there is an increase in the monthly average of per capita expenditure in 2011 compared to 2010; in 2011 the per capita expenditure was 188.1 JD in the West Bank, while it was 173.1 JD in 2010, with an increase of 8.7%. The monthly average of per capita expenditure increased 2011 compared to 2010 by 6.5% in Gaza Strip; the per capita expenditure was 109.8 JD in 2011, while it was 103.1 JD in 2010.