Education, employment and poverty among Bedouin Arabs in southern Israel

Abstract

Over the past five decades, impressive progress in schooling has taken place among the Bedouin-Arab community in southern Israel. Nonetheless, in 2004, less than 9% of females participated in the labor force, more than 20% of males were unemployed, and 79% of the population in the unrecognized villages and 61% in the recognized villages were living in poverty. This study describes the progress in educational attainment over the past five decades, the current status of employment and their relation to the high poverty rates in the Bedouin-Arab localities. We conclude that, due to the absence of adequate infrastructures, especially with respect to employment, the progress in education has not sufficiently translated into better economic well-being.