Subsidies from Poor Families to Agriculturists Amount to 500 Million Shekels Annually

An average Household at the bottom 20% of the income distribution spends an extra 1,166 Shekels a year on food expenditure due to agricultural subsidies.

According to a new study by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, reducing indirect support to agriculture could save Israeli consumers up to 3 billion Shekels annually.

While Finance Minister Yair Lapid attempts to lower food prices by expanding price controls, a new study reveals that controls and regulation in the agriculture sector are a main cause of high food prices. In this position paper, JIMS research fellow Shaul Kirshenbaum found that the indirect subsidies to farmers cost poor families 1,166 Shekels a year on average.

Read the Press Coverage

Marijuana Legalization Would Generate Over 1.6 Billion Shekel Annually For Israeli Economy

Legalization and resulting taxation of cannabis would generate over 1.6 billion shekel for the Israeli economy, according to a position paper published today by JIMS.

According to statistics revealed in the study, the black market for cannabis in Israel alone is worth 2.5 billion shekels annually. Taxing it at rates similar to cigarettes would therefore lead to an infusion of 950 million shekel to the national treasury in addition to the over 700 million shekel in cost savings to law enforcement and the penal system directly related to marijuana usage.

Read the Press Coverage

Study Reveals: Until July 14th Israel Government Keeps Average Israeli's Paycheck

Israel Among Poorest Achievers in Developed Countries With 54 % Of Annual Income Going Into Government's Coffers

On Sunday, July 14th, the Israel will commemorate national "Tax Freedom Day." This calendar date is based on a study carried out by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS) that determines the day on which the average Israeli completes paying off the year's tax burden and begins to earn or save personal expendable income.

The specific date each year is computed based on an internationally accepted formula where all taxes paid to the government (local and national) are then divided by the Net National Income. That figure is then divided by the number of days per year to determine the date.

Read the Press Coverage

High Investment in Education, Low Achievements

Israeli teachers' salaries and investment in education in Israel are higher than the OECD average, but student achievement is lower and the gap between strong and weak students is bigger. Such are the findings of a position paper published June 25 by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS).

"Many believe that teachers' salaries in Israel are low", says Renana Leviani, who authored the paper for JIMS. "However, an international comparison of teachers' salaries relative to the salaries of other college educated workers reveals that the Israeli teacher is actually better paid than teachers abroad."

For example, the average salary of a high school teacher in Israel stands at 92% of the average salary of other college educated workers in the country, relative to 90% in the OECD. Amongst elementary and Junior High school teachers, the salary of teachers stands at 85% and 87% of the salary of other college educated workers, respectively, relative to an average of 82% and 85% in the OECD.

Read the Press Coverage

Raising Corporate Tax Will Hamper Growth

According to a position paper by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS), the corporate tax rate in Israel is higher than in similar-sized countries such as Sweden, Finland and Switzerland, and does not account for the disadvantages of the business environment for foreign investors

The one percent rise in corporate tax rate planned by the Ministry of Finance will hamper economic growth more than cuts in the government's budget or a rise in other taxes, says a new study by JIMS. According to a position paper the Institute published, an increase in the corporate tax rate may create a significant gap in corporate tax rates between Israel and countries with similar characteristics.

Read the Press Coverage

"What is Seen and What is Unseen" Translated to Hebrew

Fredric Bastiat

Frederic Bastiat's writings are known for the clear and humorous way in which they explain the basic principles of economics. Now, the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS) brings for the first time Bastiat's classics to the Hebrew reader.

To buy the e-book (in Hebrew)

Hard copy (in Hebrew) - SOLD OUT