{"name": "Gaza Strip", "code": "GZ", "publish_date": "December 19, 2018", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title mde_dark\"><strong>Middle East ::Gaza Strip</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='gz'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., Gaza has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. Gaza fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1994 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip stalled in 2001, after which the area witnessed a violent intifada or uprising.</p><p> </p><p>Israel by late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Attempts to form a unity government between Fatah and HAMAS failed and violent clashes between their respective supporters ensued, culminating in HAMAS's violent seizure of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to effect them; a reconciliation agreement signed in October 2017 remains unimplemented.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2014, HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups engaged in a 51-day conflict with Israel — the third conflict since HAMAS’s takeover in 2007 — culminating in late August with an open-ended truce that continues to tenuously hold despite the absence of a negotiated cease-fire and periodic attacks. The UN in 2015 published a study assessing that the Gaza Strip could become uninhabitable by 2020 unless steps are taken to address Gaza’s economic and humanitarian situation. In September 2018, the UN reported that conditions were worse than when its experts made that prediction.</p></div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='gz'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>31 25 N, 34 20 E</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Middle East</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">360 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">360 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>207</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">72 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">border countries (2):</span>Egypt 13 km, Israel 59 km</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">40 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class=\"category_data note\">see entry for Israel<p><strong>note:</strong> effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Mediterranean Sea</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">105 highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Awdah)</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>arable land, natural gas</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">240 sq km; note - includes the West Bank</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>droughts</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>soil degradation; desertification; water pollution from chemicals and pesticides; salination of fresh water; improper sewage treatment; water-borne disease; depletion and contamination of underground water resources</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip; the Gaza Strip settlements were evacuated in 2005</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='gz'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,836,713</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2018\">(July 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>152</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-nationality\">Nationality:</div><div id=\"field-nationality\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">noun:</span>NA</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">adjective:</span>NA</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-ethnic-groups\">Ethnic groups:</div><div id=\"field-ethnic-groups\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Palestinian Arab</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-languages\">Languages:</div><div id=\"field-languages\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Arabic, Hebrew(spoken by many Palestinians), English(widely understood)</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-religions\">Religions:</div><div id=\"field-religions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Muslim98.0 - 99.0% (predominantly Sunni), Christian&lt;1.0%, other, unaffiliated, unspecified&lt;1.0% (2012 est.)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> dismantlement of Israeli settlements was completed in September 2005; Gaza has had no Jewish population since then</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-age-structure\">Age structure:</div><div id=\"field-age-structure\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">44.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 415,746 /female 394,195)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.34%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 197,797 /female 194,112)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">28.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 256,103 /female 267,285)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.48%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 33,413 /female 30,592)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.58%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 24,863 /female 22,607)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">population pyramid:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3654\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"population pyramid\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/GZ_popgraph.bmp?1538604950\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3654\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title mde_dark\"> 	Middle East <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Gaza Strip</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/GZ_popgraph.bmp?1538604950\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"mde_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"mde_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/GZ_popgraph.bmp?1538604950\" alt=\"population pyramid\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/mde_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	This is the population pyramid for Gaza Strip. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-dependency-ratios\">Dependency ratios:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-ratios\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">75.8</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">youth dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">70.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elderly dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">potential support ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-median-age\">Median age:</div><div id=\"field-median-age\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.4 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.1 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.8 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>219</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-growth-rate\">Population growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-population-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.25%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>35</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-birth-rate\">Birth rate:</div><div id=\"field-birth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">30.5 births/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>34</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-death-rate\">Death rate:</div><div id=\"field-death-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3 deaths/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>222</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-net-migration-rate\">Net migration rate:</div><div id=\"field-net-migration-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>191</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-urbanization\">Urbanization:</div><div id=\"field-urbanization\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">76.2% of total population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rate of urbanization:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3% annual rate of change</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2015-20 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sex-ratio\">Sex ratio:</div><div id=\"field-sex-ratio\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">at birth:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.06 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.05 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.01 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.96 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.1 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.71 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.02 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate\">Maternal mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-maternal-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">45 deaths/100,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>98</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-infant-mortality-rate\">Infant mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-infant-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.1 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14.9 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>96</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-life-expectancy-at-birth\">Life expectancy at birth:</div><div id=\"field-life-expectancy-at-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">74.4 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">72.7 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">76.2 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>124</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-total-fertility-rate\">Total fertility rate:</div><div id=\"field-total-fertility-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.97 children born/woman</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>32</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\">Contraceptive prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-physicians-density\">Physicians density:</div><div id=\"field-physicians-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.2 physicians/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hospital-bed-density\">Hospital bed density:</div><div id=\"field-hospital-bed-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.32 beds/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-drinking-water-source\">Drinking water source:</div><div id=\"field-drinking-water-source\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">50.7% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">81.5% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">58.4% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">49.3% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18.5% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">41.6% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sanitation-facility-access\">Sanitation facility access:</div><div id=\"field-sanitation-facility-access\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">93% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">90.2% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">92.3% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">7% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.8% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.7% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">NA</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">NA</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-deaths\">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-deaths\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">NA</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\">Children under the age of 5 years underweight:</div><div id=\"field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-education-expenditures\">Education expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-education-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>43</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-literacy\">Literacy:</div><div id=\"field-literacy\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">definition:</span>age 15 and over can read and write<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016 est.\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">96.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">98.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">95.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> estimates are for Gaza and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\">School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div><div id=\"field-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">13 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\">Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">40.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">36.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">60.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> includes the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>11</span></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='gz'>Government ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>none</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Gaza Strip</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local long form:</span>none</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local short form:</span>Qita' Ghazzah</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>named for the largest city in the region, Gaza, whose settlement can be traced back to at least the 15th century B.C. (as \"Ghazzat\")</div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='gz'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.</p><p></p><p>Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt’s crackdown on the Gaza Strip’s extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs.</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\">GDP (purchasing power parity):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-official-exchange-rate\">GDP (official exchange rate):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-official-exchange-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.938 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2014 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> excludes the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-real-growth-rate\">GDP - real growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-real-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-15.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> excludes the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>223</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-per-capita-ppp\">GDP - per capita (PPP):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-per-capita-ppp\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-end-use\">GDP - composition, by end use:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-end-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">household consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">88.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">government consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">26.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in fixed capital:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">22.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in inventories:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">imports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-55.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\">GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">75%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-agriculture-products\">Agriculture - products:</div><div id=\"field-agriculture-products\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>olives, fruit, vegetables, flowers; beef, dairy products</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industries\">Industries:</div><div id=\"field-industries\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>textiles, food processing, furniture</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industrial-production-growth-rate\">Industrial production growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-industrial-production-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> see entry for the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>125</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force\">Labor force:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.24 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> excludes the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force-by-occupation\">Labor force - by occupation:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force-by-occupation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">10%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">84.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-unemployment-rate\">Unemployment rate:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>201</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-population-below-poverty-line\">Population below poverty line:</div><div id=\"field-population-below-poverty-line\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">30%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget\">Budget:</div><div id=\"field-budget\"><div class=\"category_data note\">see entry for the West Bank</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-fiscal-year\">Fiscal year:</div><div id=\"field-fiscal-year\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>calendar year</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\">Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div><div id=\"field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> excludes the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>16</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\">Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div><div id=\"field-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-narrow-money\">Stock of narrow money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-narrow-money\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-broad-money\">Stock of broad money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-broad-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.901 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.538 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>129</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-domestic-credit\">Stock of domestic credit:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-domestic-credit\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.041 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.712 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>149</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-current-account-balance\">Current account balance:</div><div id=\"field-current-account-balance\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$1.444 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$1.348 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> excludes the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>152</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports\">Exports:</div><div id=\"field-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.955 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.827 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>142</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-commodities\">Exports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-exports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>strawberries, carnations, vegetables, fish (small and irregular shipments, as permitted to transit the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing)</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports\">Imports:</div><div id=\"field-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$8.59 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$7.852 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>109</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-commodities\">Imports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-imports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>food, consumer goods, fuel</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\">Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div><div id=\"field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$446.3 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$583 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2015\">(31 December 2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>156</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-debt-external\">Debt - external:</div><div id=\"field-debt-external\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exchange-rates\">Exchange rates:</div><div id=\"field-exchange-rates\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div></li><li id='energy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Energy'ccode='gz'>Energy ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='energy-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-access\">Electricity access:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-access\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">population without electricity:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">80,930</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">98%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - urban areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">99%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - rural areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">93%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data for Gaza Strip and West Bank combined</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-production\">Electricity - production:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">51,000 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>218</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-consumption\">Electricity - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">202,000 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2009\">(2009 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>216</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-exports\">Electricity - exports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>139</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-imports\">Electricity - imports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">193,000 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-proved-reserves\">Crude oil - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2010\">(1 January 2010 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>136</span></div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='gz'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-fixed-lines\">Telephones - fixed lines:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-fixed-lines\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">432,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(includes the West Bank); (July 2016 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(includes the West Bank); (July 2016 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>101</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-mobile-cellular\">Telephones - mobile cellular:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-mobile-cellular\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">3,531,000 (includes the West Bank)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">76 (includes the West Bank)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>Israel has final say in allocating frequencies in the Gaza Strip and does not permit anything beyond a 2G network<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">domestic:</span>Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; the Palestinian JAWWAL company provides cellular services; a slow 2G network allows calls and limited data transmission<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">international:</span>country code - 970<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessible<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2008\">(2008)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-country-code\">Internet country code:</div><div id=\"field-internet-country-code\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>.psnote - same as the West Bank</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-users\">Internet users:</div><div id=\"field-internet-users\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.673 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(includes the West Bank)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">percent of population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>101</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\">Broadband - fixed subscriptions:</div><div id=\"field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">320,500</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> includes West Bank</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>93</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='gz'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>222</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">over 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-heliports\">Heliports:</div><div id=\"field-heliports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-roadways\">Roadways:</div><div id=\"field-roadways\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> see entry for the West Bank</p></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">major seaport(s):</span>Gaza</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='gz'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-branches\">Military branches:</div><div id=\"field-military-branches\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>HAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the Hamas Political Bureau leadership<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div></li><li id='terrorism-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Terrorism'ccode='gz'>Terrorism ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='terrorism-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-terrorism-terrorist-groups-home-based\">Terrorist groups - home based:</div><div id=\"field-terrorist-groups-home-based\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Army of Islam (AOI):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> stage attacks against Israel and Egypt from the Gaza Strip and, ultimately, establish an Islamic emirate in the region<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in Gaza; heaviest presence and operational activity is in the Gaza Strip<br><strong>note:</strong> operatives have a history of launching low-impact rockets into Israeli and Egyptian territory; the Army of Islam (Jaish al-Islam, JAI) in Syria is unrelated to AOI<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">HAMAS:</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>maintain control of the Gaza Strip to facilitate Palestinian nationalist aims<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in Gaza<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in Gaza, although present in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Israel<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>enhance its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip to launch attacks against Israel<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> stages rocket attacks against civilians and military personnel primarily in southern Israel<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Palestine Liberation Front (PLF):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, destroy the state of Israel in order to establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> based in Gaza; maintains a recruitment and paramilitary training presence in most of the refugee camps across the Gaza Strip<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>bolster its staging capabilities to prepare fighters for deployment to Syria and to launch occasional attacks inside Israel; ultimately, seeks to establish a Palestinian state<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in Gaza; as a longtime supporter of the Syrian Government, the group trains and deploys fighters to Syria to fight on behalf of President Bashar al-ASAD; stages occasional small-scale attacks inside Israel<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>destroy the state of Israel and, ultimately, establish a secular, Marxist Palestinian state<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in Gaza, recruiting and training fighters; stages limited attacks against Israel<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-terrorism-terrorist-groups-foreign-based\">Terrorist groups - foreign based:</div><div id=\"field-terrorist-groups-foreign-based\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel to continue its attempts to disrupt Israel's economy and its efforts to establish security<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> launches homemade rockets from the Gaza Strip into populated Israeli territory, primarily the cities of Nahariya and Ashkelon<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, establish a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> stages attacks from the Gaza Strip against Israeli soldiers and civilians inside Israel, including launching rockets and missiles<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Sinai:</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>bolster its staging capabilities in the Gaza Strip against Israel and, ultimately, establish a regional Islamic caliphate<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> stages attacks against Egyptian forces along the Gaza Strip-Egypt border and launches rockets into southern Israel from the border closest to Israel<br><strong>note:</strong> formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question mde_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='gz'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Gaza Strip</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiationsIsrael removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005</div></div><div class=\"category mde_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\">Refugees and internally displaced persons:</div><div id=\"field-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">refugees (country of origin):</span>1,348,536 (Palestinian refugees) (2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">IDPs:</span>231,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza Strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2017)</div></div></li></ul></div>"}