The most extraordinary gap, probably in the whole of history, between death rates and birth rates, is in the Gaza strip. They have a birth rate that is almost the highest in the world, at 50 per thousand, and a death rate almost the lowest in the world, at 4 per thousand. (Another part of Palestine, the West Bank, is not too far behind, with a birth rate of 38 and a death rate of 5.) Fertility rates: Israel 2.4 West Bank and Gaza Strip 6.2.

Despite this, they are managing to keep healthy and vigorous: at least their young men are, as we can see from television pictures. Life expectancy is over 70.

As far as I understand it, they manage to keep physically well by having a thriving agriculture for export; Israel nearby for jobs; and a huge aid input. There is a good deal of emigration, as well.

The West Bank and Gaza Strip receive the most aid per capita of any country. The Economists 1997 Pocket World in Figures gives aid per capita in US dollars as:

I should be grateful for any correction or comment on these figures.

Gerry Danaher