Israel has grown with less than expected in the last quarter of last year under the pressure of the war on the Gaza Strip and its repercussions in the region.
The Central Statistics Department stated in a preliminary estimate today, Monday, that the gross domestic product grew 2.5% on an annual basis in the period from October to December, which is less than 5.7% growth expectations in a Reuters poll.
Israel’s growth rate fell to 1% in 2024 from 1.8%, registered in 2023.
The per capita gross domestic product decreased by 0.3%, and in terms of local product components, the year 2024 witnessed:
- A 5.6% decrease in exports.
- A 5.9% decrease in investments in fixed assets.
- Increased consumption by 3.9%.
- Increased public consumption by 13.7%.
According to the Israeli Economic Calist newspaper, the data indicates the continued standard of living of the Israelis this year, a decline from 0.1% in the GDP of the individual in 2023.
Bonds
In a related context, the Israeli Ministry of Finance said last week that it had sold bonds worth $ 5 billion for 5 and 10 years in an international offering last night, in the second issue of its kind since the outbreak of the war 16 months ago.
Israel has sold bonds worth $ 2.5 billion for 5 years at a price of 120 basis points over the returns of similar US Treasury bonds, and sold bonds worth another $ 2.5 billion for 10 years at 135 basis points over US Treasury Bonds.
