Israel's Muslim population stood at 1.52 million people -- 17.7% of the general population -- at the end of 2016; an increase of 36,000 people since 2015, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday weekend. At around 320,000 people, Jerusalem has the highest concentration of Muslim residents, making up 36.2% of the city's population and 21% of the general population. The total Muslim fertility rate has dropped in recent years, with the average Muslim woman having 3.29 children in 2016, as compared to 4.7 children in 2000. In contrast, the average Jewish woman bears an average of 3.16 children, the average Christian woman has 2.05 children and the average Druze woman has 2.21 children. The local Muslim population is also relatively young: Around 35% of Israel's Muslims are under the age of 15, and only 3.9% are aged 65 or older. Labor force participation among Muslims of working age stood at 43.2% in 2016, with 63.6% of men and 23.8% of women employed outside of the home. Workforce participation among Muslim women in Israel is as a rule lower than that of women in Israel's Jewish, Christian and Druze communities.
Ahead of Eid al-Adha 2017: Israel's Muslim population stands at 1.5 million
New data shows Jerusalem has the highest concentration of Muslims, making up 36.2% of city's residents and 21% of its general population • Muslims make up 17.7% of Israel's population • Sector is also relatively young, with around 35% under the age of 15.
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