| Economy - overview: | High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority - even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifadah in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed in response to security interests in Israel, disrupted labor and commodity relationships with the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in Palestinian Authority areas resulted in the destruction of much capital plant, the disruption of administrative structure, and widespread business closures. Including the West Bank, the UN estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israel or in joint industrial zones have lost their jobs. Unemployment has continued at half the labor force. Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offers some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, especially given the removal of restrictions on internal movement. In addition, recent agreements and continuing negotiations on the administration of Gaza's border crossings increase the prospects for trade. |
| GDP - per capita | $600 (2003 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate (%) | 4.5% (2003 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products |
| GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 9%, industry: 28%, services: 63% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.) |
| Industries | generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center, but operations ceased prior to Israel's evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements |
| Economic aid - recipient | $2 billion (includes West Bank) (2004 est.) |
| Debt - external | $0 (includes West Bank) (2002) |
| Population below poverty line (%) | 81% (2004 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 11.9%, industry 18%, services 70.1% (April-June 2005) |
World Rainforests
