How has the level of gender inequality changed over the years? Is inequality consistently shrinking? The gender index examines changes in the level of gender inequality in Israel over time. The chart depicts changes in the level of gender inequality in Israel since 2004. Each point on the graph represents a weighted average of all the indicators and domains used to examine gender inequality in each year compated to the previous year. 2004 is the base year for calculating changes (year "zero"). Graphically, an ascending curve indicates increased gender inequality in comparison with the previous year, and a descending curve indicates decreased inequality between women and men and hence a positive trend.
For indicators that do not reflect the ratio between women and men—for example, the number of complaints filed due to domestic violence—the higher the number relative to the size of the population, the higher the inequality and the Index’s score. For methodological reasons, the following domains are not included in the aggregated computation of the level of gender inequality: culture & media, Arab society, haredi society, and the periphery.
The chart shows three main periods in which the gender inequality trend changed in the years examined: In the first period, between 2004 and 2007, there was an increase in gender inequality (except in 2006); In the second period, from 2008 to 2013, a downward trend in gender inequality is evident (except in 2010). In the third period, starting in 2013, the level of inequality remains unchanged.
An examination of all the dimensions and indicators since the year of 2004 reveals that none of them has consistently reduced inequality during the measurement period, which means that the improvement trend is not consistent or sustainable. However, with an overall view of today's inequality versus inequality in the first year of measurement, there was a certain improvement of about 12%.