Beit Shemesh Israel’s Most Family-Oriented City

 Israel’s Most Family-Oriented City: 72% Couples With Children and an Average of 5.06 People per Family in Beit Shemesh

In honor of Family Day 2026, the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics published new data placing Beit Shemesh at the forefront nationwide in terms of family structure, household size, and employment.

According to the report, among Israel’s large cities, Beit Shemesh leads in the percentage of families consisting of a couple with children under age 17 — 72.3%, compared to a national average of just 47.1%. This is the highest figure in the country in this category.

The city also sets a national record in family size, with an average of 5.06 people per household — the highest among all major cities, compared to a national average of 3.71. For comparison, the average stands at 4.26 in Jerusalem and 4.78 in Bnei Brak.

At the same time, the percentage of single-parent families with children under 17 in the city is notably low, standing at just 3.4%, compared to 5.9% nationally, 8.3% in Ramat Gan, 8.5% in Tel Aviv, and 10.3% in Bat Yam.

Employment data also highlights a strong showing: 89% of households in Beit Shemesh include employed members — the highest rate among cities with more than 100,000 residents. For comparison, Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, and Ramat Gan stand at 81.3%, while Haifa is at 71.8%.

Nationally, the report shows that 92% of children in Israel grow up with two parents, and 94% of couples are married. Within the demographic structure of Beit Shemesh — where a clear majority of families are couples with children — these figures further underscore the city’s distinctly family-oriented character.

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg said: "The data reinforces what we see on the ground every day — Beit Shemesh is a young city. A city of families. The demographic growth and unique communal structure require us to continue investing in infrastructure, education, employment, and community spaces to ensure a high quality of life for all residents."