Gaza unemployment crisis deepens as war drives poverty above 93%

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has left roughly 80% of the population without work, according to the Government Media Office. Graduates such as Rawan al‑Jabali, who earned a degree in English translation, and engineering graduate Mohammed al‑Khudari spend hours searching for any available job despite weak internet, frequent power cuts and severe mobility restrictions.

War damage has shrunk Gaza’s gross domestic product by more than 82% since the October 2023 offensive, which has killed over 73,000 Palestinians and intensified an Israeli blockade that has been in place since 2007. About 80% of residents now rely on international humanitarian aid, while poverty rates have surged past 93%. Economists warn that prolonged unemployment erodes human capital, increases reliance on aid and hampers any prospect of social stability.

The combined effect of infrastructure destruction, border closures and food scarcity has forced many to apply for any income‑generating work, from cafés to cleaning jobs, rather than positions matching their qualifications.