The Employment Service released its October labor-market report, showing a drop in jobseekers to 156,600.
The figures, covering all of Israel for October 2025, reflect seasonal patterns and the return of workers dismissed over the summer.
After seasonal adjustment, however, jobseekers increased slightly by 1.09% to 166,900, a trend the service links to the end of the holiday period and stabilization following the start of the school year.
Unemployment-benefit claims fell sharply by 10.1%, while income-support claims declined more moderately to 35,800, one of the lowest levels in decades. The Employment Service attributes this to the success of the “Employment Circles” program, aimed at returning income-support recipients to work.
Open positions rose to 146,700, or 149,800 seasonally adjusted, creating a tight market with about 110 jobseekers per 100 openings. Officials note that high interest rates and a slowdown in the tech sector could affect future trends.
A sharper decline was recorded among women (11.2%) compared with men (6.7%), reflecting women’s higher exposure to summer layoffs. The share of women among jobseekers fell by 1.2 percentage points, and stands 3.1 points below its July peak.
Among population groups, the largest decrease was among Haredi jobseekers (18.6%). Arab jobseekers fell 8.1%, and non-Haredi Jews 8.6%. As a result, Haredim now account for 7.5% of jobseekers, non-Haredi Jews 65.6%, and Arabs 26.8%.
Most professions saw declines-46 of 48 categories-particularly in fields affected by summer layoffs: sports and fitness (-54.2%), gardeners and growers (-45.5%), childcare aides (-41.3%), and waiters and bartenders (-39.6%). In contrast, legal professions rose 7.6%, and database/network specialists by 1%.
Employment Service Director Adv. Einbal Mashash said the data show the labor market “returning to routine,” with the holidays behind and the ceasefire stabilizing. She emphasized ongoing support for reservists and their families as they return home.