Israel Health Report 2025 Reveals Rising Obesity, Diabetes, and Disparities
A new health report in Israel reveals rising obesity, diabetes, and antidepressant use in 2025, alongside stark regional and socioeconomic disparities nationwide.
A comprehensive report on community healthcare quality in Israel for 2025 reveals concerning trends in obesity, diabetes rates, and the increased purchase of antidepressants, alongside significant geographic and socioeconomic disparities. Published by the National Institute for Health Policy Research, the findings are based on data collected from the country's four health maintenance organizations.
Obesity Rates and Geographic Disparities
The report highlights a continuous rise in obesity among children. Among seven-year-olds, the rate reached 8.6%, marking a consecutive second-year increase and the highest figure since tracking began in 2014. Ashkelon leads the nation with 13.1% of seven-year-olds suffering from obesity, followed closely by the Western Galilee at 12.2%. Conversely, Bnei Brak registered a low 4.4%. Among adolescents aged 14 to 15, 12.6% struggle with obesity, with Arab communities and peripheral areas showing disproportionately higher rates.
Among adults aged 20 to 64, 62.8% of men and 57.6% of women are classified as overweight or obese. Severe obesity rates stand at 27.9% for women and 24.6% for men. Geographic analysis shows that women in the Western Negev experience the highest obesity rates at 33.6%, while men in Bnei Brak record the highest municipal figure at 30.7%.
Diabetes Growth and Mental Health Trends
The number of Israelis living with diabetes climbed to approximately 677,000, representing 11% of the adult population aged 18 and older. This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth, with higher incidence rates concentrated in lower socioeconomic strata. Despite the rise in patient numbers, disease management improved, with 79% of diabetic patients achieving stability in 2025.
Concurrently, antidepressant purchases rose by 2.6% in 2025, continuing a multi-year upward trajectory with a 14% increase since 2022. Tel Aviv and the Western Negev recorded the highest acquisition rates, while women purchased these medications at significantly higher rates than men.
