Hire in Israel 2023 Guide | What Employers Need to Know

Overview of Israel

As of 2021, it is the 30th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Technology and industrial manufacturing is the major economic sector of the country. Diamond is the major export of the country, which accounts for 18.1 % of the total exports. Israel also has been badly affected by the pandemic.

Population - 9,311,652 people (2024)

GDP – US $537.24 billion (2024 estimate)

Economic Overview

Israel’s tax rate is the highest in the world, and it is one of the main sources of income for the country. The GDP in 2020 had reduced by 6.3% in 2020 compared to 2019 when it grew by 3.4%. But the economy is expected to grow in 2021-2022 as the economy is recovering from the pandemic. The country also witnessed an increase in the unemployment rate in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 on various sectors.

Market size

Israel has a large number of start-ups and ranks second after the United States and is known as the start-up nation of the world. The most popular sectors are industrial manufacturing and technology. The country is famous for its diamond cutting industry. The other main industries include the solar energy industry and tourism industry. Israel has the highest tax rate, which is the major source of national income.

A brief glimpse of the industries

• Technology is the biggest industry in the country. There is tremendous growth in the Hi-Tech sector. It produces different technical objects from Computer chips, CPUs, hard drives, and many more objects. The scope for investors in this sector is very high.
• Another major industry is industrial manufacturing. This sector has grown tremendously. This includes Israel’s diamond cutting industry. Israel is the center for diamond cutting, polishing, and exporting cut diamonds. Around 23.2% of the total exports come from this industry.
• The agricultural industry is a powerful and attractive investment and is expected to grow very fast. There are opportunities available in this industry as food is one of the important industries of the country.
• The tourism industry is another major industry that contributes heavily to the Israeli economy. Since it is a hub of archaeological, adventure, and heritage tourism, lots of tourists visit the country with a record of 4.5 million in 2019. The most visited city in the country is Jerusalem.

Cost of Living in Israel

Israel currently has the 8th highest cost of living in the world. It is one of the liveliest countries to live in. There are a lot of cultural and historical places in the country, which makes it a central attraction to tourists. It is ranked as the eighth expensive city, depending upon the rent, groceries, and purchase power.

Cost of Renting

The cost of living on rent in Israel depends on the location as well as the facilities available. You can expect to spend around 3429.54₪ ($991.1), for renting a 1 BHK depending upon the location. The rent is subjected to an increase depending upon the amenities available and the lifestyle desired.

In the year 2024, the below mentioned sectors will lead the hiring process: -

Top skills in Israel

Israel has a developed free-market economy and is heavily dominated by the industrial manufacturing and technology sector. Consequently, it is keen on hiring skilled individuals and highly qualified professionals trained in various hard and soft skills. From a software engineer to a self-employed person, Israel opens the door to a wide range of opportunities. A country is an excellent place for entrepreneurial spirits as the country is known as the Start-up nation in the world.

Major skills and areas which have witnessed a recent growth rate

• Technology/ Hi-Tech
• Business
• Manufacturing
• Education
• Marketing

Top skills city-wise occupation-wise

• Jerusalem- Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered to be a holy land by Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Tourism is the main industry that flourished in this city. The other industries include the education, food and accommodation sector, and agricultural sector.
• Tel Aviv- Tel Aviv is the most populous city in Israel. It is a metropolitan area where it serves as a home to several foreign embassies. The city is also called ‘The World’s Vegan Capital’ due to the highest population of vegans. The main industry in Tel Aviv is the hi-tech sector, and the city is sometimes called Silicon Wadi. The other industries include food manufacturing, textile plants, and chemical processing.

Hiring Cost

For a productive hiring drive, you need to factor in various important aspects related to the cost of hiring. Some of the most important factors that require your attention include,

• Cost of conducting the recruitment process.
• Time required for the recruitment process.
• Cost of onboarding and training the employees.
• Opportunity cost

Salary structure for various roles

Employees engaged in different sectors across Israel can expect salaries in the range as mentioned below: -

Employment Laws in Israel

Israel regulation on employment consisted of a proper comprehensive system. Maximum work hours, overtime payment, leaves available are some of the factors that vary according to the industry. The Israeli Labour Law regulates the following employment aspects –

• Maximum 43 work hours a week
• Paid and unpaid leaves
• Termination of employment
• Employee rights
• Workplace surveillance
• Anti-discrimination

Employer-employee relationships in Israel are governed by the below mentioned rules and regulations: -

• Legislation (federal, state, and territory laws)
• Employee protection laws
• Contractual agreements
• The common law
• Social security laws

Israel Remote Hiring Trends 2024

Talent Shortage in Israel

In Israel, companies are still competing for top talent in 2022. The demand for tech professionals is growing with the industry. But Israel's booming tech industry isn't the only place to find a career. The country's agricultural sector, healthcare, and hospitality are also looking for employees in 2022.

Since these industries are experiencing candidate shortages, many firms compete for people with the right skills to make each company successful. Remote workers can help fill these roles without having to relocate to Israel.

Israel's job market is recovering, with  26% of companies stating that they plan on adding workers this year. Over two-thirds (77%) of companies are struggling to find talent, which could make it easier for remote tech professionals to find jobs in Israel.

Remote Work in the Tech Sector

The tech sector is perfect for remote work because employees or contractors can fulfill their duties anywhere with a stable internet connection. These are some of the positions available in Israel in  2022:

• Card Compliance Analyst
• Social Media Managers
• System Administrator
• Programmers
• IT Support

Some professional positions require special licenses in Israel. Employers should list any specific credentials needed, so that prospective workers know the requirements.

Israel's workforce comprises an educated population, with 35.7% holding an advanced degree. You can tap into this skilled talent pool by adding remote workers to your team. But make sure you do your part to help workers maintain a proper work-life balance – most remote workers (86%) are experiencing burnout in 2022.

Burnout is highest in healthcare professions, but others may also feel the pressure, including designers and business development specialists. You can reduce the burnout rate in remote workers by encouraging them to unplug and set specific hours where they're not available for work calls and meetings.  

Soft Skills are Also in Demand

Employers in Israel have reported a need for professionals with soft skills that don't always come with a degree. These skills include:

• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Ability to communicate with a large team
• Good problem-solving skills
• Accountability

Top Companies Hiring Remotely in Israel

Organizations in the country are interested in filling roles ranging from security engineers to systems analysts for large information systems. Some of the companies with postings in Israel include:

• Cellebrite
• Tenable
• Apple
• Guesty
• General Motors

How Can Skuad Help You with Hiring in Israel?

If you are looking to streamline your hiring processes in Israel, then it is important to utilize Skuad’s one-stop solution that simplifies the hiring process. This decision can help you save a significant amount of money as well as time. Connect with Skuad to know more about the recruitment services on offer.