Ofaqim (אופקים; unofficially also spelled Ofakim) is a city in the Southern District of Israel in Israel. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), at the end of 2001 the city had a total population of 23,100.

Demographics

According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 99.7% Jewish and other non-Arab, with no significant Arab population. There are 104 immigrant settlers. See Population groups in Israel.

According to CBS, in 2001 there were 11,200 males and 11,800 females. The population of the city was spread out with 41.8% 19 years of age or younger, 14.5% between 20 and 29, 18.5% between 30 and 44, 12.5% from 45 to 59, 3.6% from 60 to 64, and 9.1% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 0.6%.

Income

According to CBS, as of 2000, in the city there were 5,655 salaried workers and 300 are self-employed. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker in the city is ILS 3,728, a real change of 7.5% over the course of 2000. Salaried males have a mean monthly wage of ILS 4,761 (a real change of 10.1%) versus ILS 2,744 for females (a real change of 2.2%). The mean income for the self-employed is 4,776. There are 526 people who receive unemployment benefits and 3,538 people who receive an income guarantee.

Education

According to CBS, there are 19 schools and 4,704 students in the city. They are spread out as 13 elementary schools and 3,079 elementary school students, and 8 high schools and 1,625 high school students. 43.3% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate in 2001.