August 19, 2012. According to figures released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, unemployment in the Gaza Strip dropped to 28.4% in the second quarter of 2012, compared to 31.5% in the preceding quarter. The highest unemployment rate, 31.5%, was recorded in Deir Al Balah. The percentage of individuals who participate in the workforce in the Gaza Strip stands at 40.3%, compared to 39.9% in the preceding quarter.
The percentage of public sector workers in the Gaza Strip has reached 37.9%, compared to 14.9% in the West Bank. Salaried employees account for 74.2% of Gaza’s workforce, 15.5% are self-employed, 7.1% are unpaid workers in family-owned businesses and 3.2% are employers.