Nearly one in three ‘Israeli’ students considers leaving amid pessimism: study

Nearly one in three ‘Israeli’ students is considering leaving after graduation, as soaring living costs and the lingering effects of prolonged war take a heavy toll, according to a major new survey cited by Hebrew media.

The National Union of ‘Israeli’ Students’ 2026 survey of around 12,000 respondents, released ahead of the academic year opening on October 18, found that 29% would consider emigrating after completing their studies, up from 26% the previous year.

Among those contemplating departure, 79% cited the high cost of living as a primary factor, while 46% pointed to the security situation. Smaller shares mentioned employment prospects or the political and diplomatic crisis (20% each).

Average monthly student expenses have climbed to NIS 6,907, with housing and household costs alone averaging NIS 3,155.

Nearly half of students (49%) receive financial help from their parents, averaging NIS 2,252 a month, and 81% work while studying, typically around 97 hours monthly for roughly NIS 6,235 gross.

Despite this, 67% cannot save regularly, and 38% believe they will never be able to buy a home. One in five has taken out a loan during their studies, with the average amount near NIS 50,000.

Financial pressure is also driving academic risk: 33% of students said they had considered dropping out in the past year.

Of those, half blamed money problems as a main reason, followed by academic workload (41%) and mental health difficulties (22%).

The survey highlights the continued strain from war.

Some 27% of respondents reported being called up for military duty during the academic year, and 64% of those who served said returning to studies was emotionally and socially challenging to a great or very great extent.

Nearly half felt a sense of distance or lack of understanding from peers who did not serve, and 68% expressed significant frustration, burnout, or anger over the unequal burden of military obligations.

Optimism about ‘Israel’s’ future has slipped, with only 31% of students describing themselves as highly or very highly optimistic, down from 37% previously.

Trust in the government is low: 63% believe it does not look after their interests at all or does so only to a limited extent.
When asked about voting priorities, the cost of living and the economy topped the list for 67% of respondents.

The findings arrive against the backdrop of years of multi-front assaults that began with the events of October 7 and the subsequent intensive campaign against Gaza, alongside wider regional confrontations.

Student leaders and the data itself link the security environment and repeated military call-ups to the practical and psychological difficulties young people face in building stable lives.