An Israeli Arab woman. (Chen Leopold/Flash90) (Chen Leopold/Flash90)
Israeli Arabs

 In terms of life expectancy and infant mortality rates, the Arab Israeli population ranks highest in the Arab and Muslim world.

By: United with Israel Staff

Arab Israelis have the highest life expectancy in the Middle East when compared with the populations of 21 Muslim and Arab countries, a new survey on the issue found.

A recent survey by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel found that in terms of life expectancy and infant mortality rates, the Arab Israeli population ranks highest in the Arab and Muslim world.

In 2015, the average mortality rate among Israeli Arabs was 79, higher than wealthy countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, and equal to that of the general US population.

All Arab and Muslim countries exhibited a substantial decline in infant mortality between 1995 and 2015. However, there are still large disparities between countries. Bahrain has the lowest infant mortality with 5.3 death per 1,000 live births. At the other extreme is Pakistan, with an infant mortality rate of 65.8 per 1,000 live births. Arab Israelis rank fourth, after Bahrain, the UAE and Malaysia.

Israeli Arabs have access to one of the most advanced medical systems in the region, and enjoy all services provided by the Jewish state.

Not surprisingly, a recent poll shows that the vast majority of Israel’s Arabs, 73 percent, feel a sense of belonging in the Jewish state and 60 percent are proud to be Israelis.

Anyone living in Israel knows that Arabs are employed by and receive service at all government offices. They study at all universities, including Ariel University in Samaria, and serve as judges, doctors, IDF officers and parliamentarians.

They have good reasons for being proud to be Israeli and happy to live in Israel.