Palestinian Statistics Center Reports Over 10% Population Decline in Gaza Due to War and Displacement
The Palestinian Statistics Center has announced that Gaza Strip’s population has declined by 10.6% over the past two years due to war, widespread killings, and forced displacement. The center warns that this decrease will have deep and long-lasting impacts on the demographic structure of the Palestinian people.
According to the center’s comprehensive report, by the end of 2025, demographic developments in Gaza reflect an unprecedented humanitarian and population catastrophe. Data shows that from Gaza’s pre-war population of approximately 2.2 million, around 100,000 people have been forced to leave the area, and about two million have been displaced at least once from their homes.
Based on information from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since Israeli attacks began on October 7, 2023, the death toll of Palestinians has exceeded 72,000, with 98% of the victims being Gaza residents. This figure is considered the highest human toll in the history of Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
The Palestinian Statistics Center states that as a result of these casualties and widespread displacement, Gaza’s population has decreased by approximately 254,000 people, now standing at 2.13 million. Overall, the Palestinian population at the end of 2025 is estimated at about 5.56 million, with 3.43 million living in the West Bank.
The report also describes public services in Gaza as ‘nearly collapsed.’ According to World Health Organization data, about 94% of health centers and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, with only 19 hospitals operating at very limited capacity. Shortages of medicine, medical equipment, staff exhaustion, and frequent fuel shortages have aggravated the health crisis.
Official data shows that approximately 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza face serious risks due to severely limited health services. Furthermore, more than 70% of the population have access only to contaminated or unsafe drinking water, and 96% of families suffer from water source insecurity.
The education sector is also described as being in a concerning state. Over 179 public schools have been completely destroyed, and 218 others damaged or heavily bombed, placing the educational future of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children in serious jeopardy.
