Country Profile: West Bank

The West Bank, located in the Middle East, is a landlocked territory bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. Home to a diverse population of approximately 3.3 million Palestinians, it has a rich historical narrative shaped by various powers, including the Ottoman Empire and British rule, culminating in its current political tensions. The economy is predominantly service-oriented, yet it faces significant challenges such as high unemployment and dependency on external financial support. The governance of the West Bank is characterized by the Palestinian Authority, which has limited control over the region due to ongoing conflicts and divisions with the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS.

Geography

The West Bank covers an area of 5,860 square kilometers and features a diverse terrain comprising rugged highlands and low-lying Jordan River valleys. As a landlocked region, it has no coastline, and its climate varies significantly with elevation, displaying warm to hot summers and cool winters. The area has been subject to various natural hazards, particularly droughts.

5,860 sq km total area
1,020 m highest point at Khallat al Batrakh
-431 m lowest point at the Dead Sea
64.9% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
220 sq km of water bodies, mostly the Dead Sea

People and Society

The West Bank's population is estimated at 3.3 million (2025), comprised mainly of Palestinian Arabs, with a notable Jewish minority. Arabic is the predominant language, while Hebrew and English are also spoken. The society is largely Muslim (80-85%), with small percentages of Christians and others. The region has a youth-dominated demographic, with a median age of 22 years and a birth rate of 27.24 births per 1,000 population (2025).

3.3 million total population (2025 est.)
77.6% urban population (2023)
98% literacy rate (2022)
36.7% are aged 0-14 years (2024 est.)
62.4% of women aged 15-49 are currently married (2020 est.)

Economy

The economy of the West Bank is struggling, with a projected GDP of $20.339 billion (2024) and an unemployment rate of 24.5% (2022). The services sector predominates, accounting for 58.3% of the GDP, while agriculture and industry make smaller contributions. Economic challenges are exacerbated by high inflation rates and reliance on international aid.

$20.339 billion GDP (purchasing power parity, 2024 est.)
24.5% unemployment rate (2022 est.)
95.5% of GDP is household consumption (2024 est.)
36.4 Gini Index (2023 est.), indicating income inequality
5.4% of GDP from remittances (2024 est.)

Government

The West Bank is administered by the Palestinian Authority, which was established under the Oslo Accords. It maintains a semi-autonomous governance structure but has limited powers due to the ongoing Israeli occupation. The region has four recognized World Heritage Sites, highlighting its rich cultural heritage.

4 World Heritage Sites
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
Ancient Jericho: Tell es-Sultan

Military and Security

The Palestinian Authority does not maintain a conventional military but has security and police forces operating primarily in designated areas. These forces include several branches, such as the National Security Forces and Civil Police. However, security control in the West Bank is heavily influenced by Israeli military operations.

28,000 active security personnel in PA (2024)
PA has security control over 17.5% of the West Bank
Israeli forces are responsible for 82.5% of the territory

Energy

Electricity access in the West Bank is universal, with an installed capacity of 352,000 kW (2023). The region relies significantly on fossil fuels and solar energy for electricity generation, and though the consumption rates are high, the area faces challenges in energy sustainability.

100% electrification rate (2022 est.)
6.956 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023)
66.5% of electricity from fossil fuels (2023 est.)

Communications

Communications infrastructure in the West Bank includes a mix of fixed and mobile telephony. There is a significant internet penetration rate, with 87% of the population using the internet (2023). The Palestinian Authority operates several media outlets, and Jordanian television is also accessible in the region.

4.1 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
87% of the population are internet users (2023)
383,653 fixed line subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3.3 million (2025 est.)
Area	5,860 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$20.339 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	24.5% (2022 est.)
Urbanization Rate	77.6% (2023)
Birth Rate	27.24 births/1,000 (2025)
Literacy Rate	98% (2022 est.)
Median Age	22 years (2025 est.)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Active Security Personnel	28,000 (2024)