DEFINITIONS, SOURCES AND METHODS
GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND SALINITY IN THE MOUNTAIN AND COASTAL AQUIFERS
Definitions
Groundwater salinity: The salinity value (concentration of chlorides in milligrams per liter of
water) is the average of measurements taken several times a year at a variety of locations.
Groundwater level: The height of the water level, in meters above sea level, at selected
drillings.
Aquifer: A permeable, water-conductive, underground layer which makes possible the
creation of natural, underground water reservoirs (groundwater). The aquifer's water source
is the penetration of rainwater and of irrigation runoff. Israel has seven aquifers: the Coastal,
Mountain (Yarqon-Tanninim), Western Galilee, Carmel, Sea of Galilee, Eastern Mountain,
and Negev and Arava aquifers. The two main aquifers are the Coastal Aquifer and the
Mountain Aquifer (Yarqon-Tanninim).
Coastal Aquifer: The aquifer extends from Binyamina in the north to Nir Am in the south. In
the east, the aquifer is bordered by the foothills and plain of the central mountain ridge, and
in the west by the Mediterranean. It has a good collection capacity, and is fed by rainfall, and
by artificially introduced flood water and effluents at selected sites.
Mountain Aquifer (Yarqon-Tanninim): The aquifer extends from the ridges of the Judea and
Samaria hills to the east, and reaches the Mediterranean coast in the west. In the north, the
aquifer is bordered by the southern slopes of the Carmel and the Tanninim Stream. In the
south, it is bordered by the Be’er Sheva Valley. The main flow of water to this aquifer is from
the Rosh HaAyin and Tanninim Stream springs.
Sources and methods
The data are obtained from administrative files of the Water Authority, and are based on
Hydrological Service measurements.
POPULATION CONNECTED TO AN URBAN WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND
TREATMENT SYSTEM
Definitions
Raw wastewater: Water that has been contaminated due to household, industrial or public
use, and is unsuitable for additional use without treatment and cleaning.
Domestic wastewater: Wastewater from residential facilities and services which originates
predominantly from the human metabolism and from household activities.
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Urban wastewater: Domestic wastewater or domestic wastewater mixed with wastewater
from industrial use and/or rainwater runoff.
System of urban wastewater collection: a system of pipes that collects and carries away
urban wastewater.
Treatment of wastewater: a process whereby wastewater is treated in order to make it
conform to environmental or other standards, for purposes of recycling or re-use.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD): The amount of oxygen used by organisms that break
down organic materials found in wastewater.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD): The amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidization
of wastewater using a strong oxidizing agent.
Total suspended solids: Particles in a variety of sizes (from 1 millimicron) and from a
variety of sources (sewers, industry, erosion, etc.) that cause turbidity of the water and may
cause damage to both health and plumbing.
Primary treatment: Treatment of wastewater by a physical and/or chemical process that
involves settlement of suspended solids, or by another process whereby the chemical
oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater is reduced by at least 20% and the total suspended
solids in the wastewater are reduced by at least 50%.
Secondary treatment: Treatment of wastewater in a biological process that brings about a
reduction of at least 70% in the COD, and at least 75% in the BOD.
Tertiary treatment: A treatment (in addition to secondary treatment) that is intended to
reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous or any other pollutant that affects the quality of
water. The qualities achieved from tertiary treatment are:

A reduction of BOD by at least 95%

A reduction of COD by at least 85%

A reduction of nitrogen by at least 70%

A reduction of phosphorous by at least 80%
Sources and methods
The data is obtained from the Water and Rivers Division in the Ministry of Environmental
Protection.
The international comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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QUALITY OF SEA WATER AT THE BEACHES
Definitions
Microbiological test: A test that determines the presence of coliform bacteria or faecal
coliforms in sea water.
Exceedance result from microbiological test: a test in which more than 400 coliform
bacteria were found in 100 ml. of seawater.
Sources and methods
The data are based on tests conducted on authorized bathing beaches carried out by the
Ministry of Health Laboratory Department during the bathing season.
POPULATION DENSITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL REGION
Definitions
Population density: The number of people per sq. km. of land.
Population density in a locality: Total number of population in a locality, divided by the size
of the locality.
The Mediterranean coastal area: In accordance with international definitions of a coastal
area, the localities included in the indicator are localities on the coastline of the
Mediterranean within Israel's boundaries, which include all the localities bordering on the
coast that are included within local authorities, regional authorities or municipalities whose
areas of jurisdiction border on the coastline.
Urban locality: A locality with a population of 2,000 residents or more.
Sources and methods
The calculation was performed according to population data at the CBS and data on the
authorities' areas of jurisdiction, based on the geographic layer of the areas of jurisdiction
that appear in the records of the Ministry of the Interior.
The coastal area has been updated following changes in the area of jurisdiction of several
localities, and following the addition of localities for which area of jurisdiction data were
unavailable in the past.
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EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES
Definitions
Greenhouse gases: Gases in the atmosphere that can be penetrated by ultraviolet solar
radiation. These gases absorb infra-red radiation emitted by the earth. The infra-red radiation
that is absorbed by greenhouse gases turns into heat, which causes atmospheric warming.
Emissions of greenhouse gases: The amount (in tons) of the three main greenhouse
gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – that are emitted per year.
Carbon dioxide: A greenhouse gas created by the complete combustion of materials
containing carbon.
Methane: A greenhouse gas created by the breakdown of organic waste under anaerobic
conditions (without oxygen) in landfills and wastewater purification plants; by animal
digestion processes, mainly of those who chew their cud; and by anaerobic decomposition of
animal secretions.
Nitrous oxide: A greenhouse gas created by the combustion of fossil fuels, as well as by
microbial processes in land and on water, caused by the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen.
Sources and methods
Emission data for 1996 and 2000 were obtained from the Air Quality Division, Industry
Cluster, of the Ministry of the Environment. The 1996 data were taken from the publication
"Emissions and Absorption of Greenhouse Gases in Israel"1 and the 2000 data were
obtained from the publication "Greenhouse Gases in Israel, Inventory Update of Emissions
and Absorption for 2000”.2
Emissions data for 2003 – 2007 were calculated by the CBS according to directives of the
IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (except for cases in which local
coefficients were developed), based on data from a variety of sources.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
1
Jean Koch, Uri Dayan and Abraham Mey-Marom, published by the Ministry of Environmental
Protection, 2001.
2
Jean Koch and Shlomo Shafat, published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, 2002.
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EMISSIONS OF NITROGEN OXIDES FROM FUEL COMBUSTION
Definitions
Emissions of air pollutants: The amount of gases emitted into the air during a fixed period
of time.
Fuel combustion: Occurs in energy industries (electricity generation and oil refining),
manufacturing and construction, transportation and various economic sectors.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Acidic gases emitted primarily by power stations, manufacturing
plants and motor vehicles (mainly from diesel engines). These gases are greenhouse gas
precursors.
Kilometers traveled: Number of kilometers that motor vehicles travel during a given period
of time.
Sources and Methods
Data on fuel consumption are based on Israel Fuel Authority reports and on CBS data.
Annual data on kilometers traveled are obtained from the Kilometers Traveled Survey
conducted by the CBS.
The calculation of nitrogen oxides emitted from natural gas by electricity generation is
performed on the basis of measurements conducted by the Israel Electric Corporation.
Emission coefficients for stationary sources (manufacturing) are based on IPCC
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) coefficients, according to fuel consumption.
Emissions from transportation sources are calculated on the basis of kilometers traveled.
The average emission coefficients for nitrogen oxide on urban and interurban routes were
calculated according to the year of production of the motor vehicle.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
EMISSIONS OF SULPHUR OXIDES FROM FUEL COMBUSTION
Definitions
Emissions of air pollutants: The amount of gases emitted into the air during a fixed period
of time.
Fuel combustion: Occurs in energy industries (electricity generation and oil refining),
manufacturing and construction, transportation and various economic sectors.
Sulphur oxides (SOx): Gases created mainly as the result of the combustion of fossil fuels
such as coal and petroleum. Most of these compounds are emitted by power plants,
refineries and industrial plants. Sulphur oxides are precursors of greenhouse gases.
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Kilometers traveled: Number of kilometers that motor vehicles travel during a given period
of time.
Sources and Methods
Data of fuel consumption are based on Israel Fuel Authority reports and on CBS data.
Data on percentages of sulphur in coal used for generating electricity are obtained from the
Israel Coal Company.
Annual data on kilometers traveled are obtained from the Kilometers Traveled Survey
conducted by the CBS.
The calculation of sulphur oxides emitted from natural gas by electricity generation is
performed on the basis of measurements conducted by the Israel Electric Corporation.
Emission coefficients for stationary sources (manufacturing) were taken from the USEPA
(United States Environmental Protection Agency) and adjusted for local conditions in 1997.
These coefficients were obtained from the Air Quality Division (stationary sources) of the
Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Sulphur oxides emitted from natural gas by electricity generation are calculated based on
international emission coefficients, while taking into consideration the existing reduction
technologies and the concentration of sulphur in imported coal.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
EMISSIONS OF AIR POLLUTANTS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES
Definitions
Emissions of air pollutants: The amount of gases emitted into the air during a fixed period
of time.
Fuel combustion: Occurs in energy industries (electricity generation and oil refining),
manufacturing and construction, transportation and various economic sectors.
Carbon monoxide (CO): A gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel, deriving
mainly from emissions from motor vehicles. This gas is a precursor of greenhouse gases.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Acidic gases emitted primarily by power stations, manufacturing
plants and motor vehicles (mainly from diesel engines). These gases are precursors of
greenhouse gases.
Hydrocarbons (HC): Compounds of hydrogen and carbon emitted during the combustion
and evaporation of fuel. These gases are mainly produced by emissions from vehicles and
refineries.
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Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM): Small particles found in the atmosphere, mainly
carbon based. The most hazardous particles are those that are less than 10 microns in size,
particulate matter (PM10), which can penetrate the respiratory system. They derive mainly
from nature, and include particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns, fine suspended
particulate matter (PM2.5), usually emitted by industries, transport and home heating.
Kilometers traveled: Number of kilometers that motor vehicles travel during a given period
of time.
Sources and methods
Data on fuel consumption are based on Israel Fuel Authority reports and CBS data.
Annual data on kilometers traveled are obtained from the Kilometers Traveled Survey
conducted by the CBS.
Emission coefficients of air pollutants from mobile sources (motor vehicles) are based on
studies conducted at the Technion on the "Evaluation of Pollutant Emission Factors from
Motor Vehicles in Israel"1 and "Evaluation of Pollutant Emission Factors from Diesel Vehicles
in Israel (stage 1 – busses)".2 To date, these emission coefficients have been developed only
for private motor vehicles running on petrol and for buses. Emission factors for other types of
vehicles and other fuel types were based on data from the Netherlands, Britain and the US
(AP42), obtained from the Air Quality Division (mobile sources) of the Ministry of
Environmental Protection.
Emissions of CO, NOx, HC and SPM from motor vehicles are calculated on the basis of
kilometers traveled. The average emission coefficients of pollutants on urban and interurban
routes were used according to the year of production of the motor vehicle.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
1
L. Tartakovski et al., Technion – Technological Institute of Israel, Transportation Research Institute,
1997.
2
L. Tartakovski, M. Weinblat, M. Gutman, Y. Eliyancov and Y. Zabirin, Technion – Technological
Institute of Israel, Transportation Research Institute, 2000.
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FOREST AREAS
Definitions
Forest: Land with at least 10% of its area covered in trees, and whose size is over 5 dunams
(according to the OECD).
Forest area: Forest area in Israel, including planted forests under the care of the Jewish
National Fund (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael), as well as natural forests.
Sources and methods
The data is based on various administrative sources used by the CBS, and data from the
Jewish National Fund.
International comparison data are obtained from FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
data.
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AREAS
Definitions
Organic agriculture: Growing plants and raising livestock without the use of chemical
pesticides, fertilizers or hormones.
Agricultural area: The area used for agricultural activities (including areas planted but not
harvested, aquaculture areas and other agricultural areas), not including natural grazing
areas.
Organic agricultural area: Agricultural areas used for organic agriculture.
Sources and methods
The data are obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and are based on estimates from
organizations for control of Israeli organic exports.
In 2004 the source for data changed; it is therefore impossible to compare them with data
from previous years.
The data refer to areas that have been used for organic agriculture and the amounts of
organic produce intended for export, which constitute almost 100% of the organic produce in
Israel.
International comparison data are based on EUROSTAT publications.
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RATE OF MOTORIZATION
Definitions
Private vehicle: A vehicle that is not public or commercial, nor two-wheeled.
Passenger vehicle: A private vehicle, taxi or minibus that has up to eight seats (in addition
to the driver’s).
Rate of motorization: The number of motor vehicles per 1,000 residents (permanent
residents at the end of the year).
Sources and methods
The calculations are based on the vehicle file of the Ministry of Transportation’s Licensing
Division, and on annual population data.
International comparison data are based on IRF (International Road Federation) data.
RATE OF EXPENDITURE ON FOOD BY DECILES OF INCOME
Definitions
Household: A group of people living together in a dwelling, on a permanent basis, most
days of the week, and who have a joint budget of expenditures on food. A household can
comprise one person or more, as well as people who are not related.
Decile of income: A group that includes 10% of all households. Households are arranged by
income level (classifying income), beginning with the household with the lowest income in the
lowest decile, and concluding with the household with the highest income in the highest
decile.
Expenditure on food by deciles: The ratio between the expenditure of a household on food
consumption, and the net total income of that household. The population is divided into
deciles of income, and for each decile a calculation is made of the percentage of the
expenditure on food consumption out of the total income of the household.
Sources and methods
Data on income and food expenditures were obtained from the Household Expenditures
Survey that the CBS conducts on an ongoing basis.1
1
In the publication "Indicators of Sustainable Development in Israel 2007", the data on income were
based on the integrated sample of the Income Survey and the Household Expenditures Survey.
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LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH
Definitions
Life expectancy at birth: The average number of years that a newborn is expected to live,
assuming that the existing mortality rate of all ages will remain permanent throughout the
person's lifetime.
Sources and methods
The data are based on the CBS' population estimates, and on the personal details appearing
in the Ministry of Interior's Residents Register, as well as the Ministry of Health’s "Death
Certificate" forms.
International comparison data were obtained from a World Health Organization report.
INFANT MORTALITY
Definitions
Infant: A newborn who has not yet completed one year of life.
Infant mortality: The number of infants who died per 1,000 live births.
Sources and methods
The data are based on the personal details appearing in the Residents Register, and on the
Ministry of Health’s "Live Birth Certificate" and "Death Certificate" forms.
International comparison data were obtained from a World Health Organization report.
POPULATION GROWTH RATE
Definitions
Population growth: The change in the size of the population that results from the birth rate,
fatality rate and migration during a given period of time. This change can be positive (the
population grows) or negative (the population shrinks).
Population growth rate: The average annual rate of change in the size of the population,
measured as an annual change percentage.
Sources and methods
Population growth data are based CBS population data.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYED OUT OF THE CIVILIAN LABOUR FORCE
Definitions
Civilian labour force: People aged 15 and over who were "employed" or "unemployed"
during the determinant week of the labour force survey.
Employed persons: People who worked at least one hour during the determinant week at
any job for pay, profit or any other remuneration during the determinant week; all workers in
kibbutzim; family members who worked without pay 15 hours or more per week; persons
staying in institutions who worked 15 hours a week or more.
Unemployed persons: People who did not work at all during the determinant week (even for
a single hour), and actively sought work during the four weeks preceding their enumeration in
the survey by registering at the Labour Exchange of the Employment Service, by personal or
written application to an employer or by other ways, and who would have been available to
start work during the determinant week, had suitable work been offered ("availability for
work").
Sources and methods
The data are based on labour force surveys conducted by the CBS on an ongoing basis.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
NUMBER OF WOMEN PER 100 MEN IN THE CIVILIAN LABOUR FORCE
Definitions
See above definitions of the "Percentage of Unemployed out of the Civilian Labour Force"
Indicator.
Sources and methods
The data are based on the labour force surveys that the CBS conducts on an ongoing basis.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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WATER PRODUCTION PER CAPITA
Definitions
Water production: Potable water taken from groundwater aquifers or surface water,
permanently or temporarily, and transported for consumption.
Water consumption: Produced water actually consumed after transportation. The difference
between the quantities of water produced and the quantities of water supplied to consumers
results from the water loss during the transportation process.
Sources and methods
Data of water production and consumption are obtained from the Water Authority.
The indicator calculation is based on water production data divided by the average annual
size of the population, based on CBS population data.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
HOUSEHOLD WASTE PER CAPITA
Definitions
Household waste: Waste generated by household usage – food residue, packaging
materials and spoiled or outworn products. The indicator presents data on amounts of
household waste produced per capita per day.
Expenditure on private consumption: The sum of the expenditure on household
consumption, as well as the consumption expenditure of non-profit institutions that serve
households, and whose main expenditures are not financed by the government sector.
Sources and methods
The data on household waste is based on reports obtained by the CBS from local authorities,
and on data from the Ministry of the Environment.
Data on the per capita expenditure on private consumption are composed of estimates of
expenditure of households and non-profit institutions, calculated by the CBS.
The calculation of the indicator is based on waste data and on data on private consumption
expenditure, divided by the average annual size of the population, based on CBS population
data.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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ENERGY CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA
Definitions
Primary energy supply: The energy available to the economy during the report period –
from imports, local production and use of standing stock.
Final energy consumption: Use of energy in the economy, not including use by energy
producers (such as refineries or the Israel Electric Corporation).
Sources and methods
The data on crude oil and its products are based on Israel Fuel Authority reports, reports
from oil refineries, large consumers of petroleum products and fuel companies, as well as
data from the CBS.
The data on electricity are based on reports of the Israel Electric Corporation and manufacturing
enterprises that have power stations with an output of 300 kilowatts per hour or more.
The calculation of the indicator is based on energy consumption data divided by the size of
the average annual population, based on CBS population data. The unit of measurement of
the data was determined as 107 kilocalories, and is equal to 1 ton of oil (TOE – Tons of Oil
Equivalent). Conversion into this unit is based on the net caloric value of various energy
products.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT PER CAPITA
Definitions
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The sum of the gross value added of all domestic
manufacturers in manufacturer prices, plus net taxes on imports (taxes on imports less
export subsidies) and non-deductible VAT, or similar taxes levied on the manufacturer price,
such as purchase tax.
Sources and methods
The data are based on CBS calculations, which rely on surveys and administrative sources.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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RATIO OF EXTERNAL DEBT TO GDP
Definitions
External debt: The amount of current, non-contingent liabilities, which require payment of
principal and or interest in the future, by residents of Israel to non-residents.
Ratio of external debt to GDP: The external debt divided by the GDP.
Sources and methods
The data are based on CBS calculations, which rely on surveys and administrative sources.
International comparison data are based on EUROSTAT publications.
NATIONAL EXPENDITURE ON CIVILIAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AS A
PERCENTAGE OF THE GDP
Definitions
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The sum of the gross value added of all domestic
manufacturers in manufacturer prices, plus net taxes on imports (taxes on imports less
export subsidies) and non-deductible VAT, or similar taxes levied on the manufacturer price,
such as purchase tax.
Research and Development (R&D): Systematic and original activity intended to create new
scientific or technological knowledge, including knowledge on man, culture and society; or to
develop a new application of scientific or technological knowledge.
National expenditure on research and development: An estimate of the total expenditure
on the research and development produced in the country (business, government, higher
education and private non-profit institutions), including research and development financed
from abroad, but does not include payments to research and development conducted
abroad.
Sources and methods
Business/Industry: The expenditure on R&D in manufacturing, computer services and R&D
companies was estimated according to a special R&D survey conducted by the CBS until
2007. The expenditures on R&D in the electricity, water and communications industries and
in other selected industries were based on surveys, responses to special questionnaires,
financial reports and interviews.
Government: The government R&D expenditure was based on a questionnaire addressed
to government ministries and on financial reports of local authorities, public non-profit
institutions and of the government.
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Higher education: University expenditure on R&D was estimated on the basis of data from
the Israel Council for Higher Education Planning and Budget Committee, and a CBS survey
on the national expenditure on education.
Data obtained for an academic year were adjusted to the calendar year by the use of indices
specific to each type of expenditure.
Private non-profit organizations: The private non-profit organizations expenditure was
estimated on the basis of financial reports.
In industries for which surveys were not conducted (1% of the total expenditure) the
expenditure was estimated on the basis of data on the labour force employed in R&D, which
were obtained from the labour force survey.
International comparison data are based on OECD publications.
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