Survey reveals deep financial impact of war on reservists’ spouses

A new Central Bureau of Statistics report highlights the widespread impact of ongoing reserve service during the ongoing war on Israeli families.

The survey, conducted for the first time in April-May, was based on responses from spouses of reservists called up between October 7, 2023, and February 2025.

According to the survey, 73% of self-employed wives of reservists and 25% of salaried spouses — most of them wives — reported harm to their employment. One in ten spouses who were salaried before October 7 are no longer working, while one in five of those who were self-employed have either closed their businesses or moved into salaried jobs.

Financial strain is also widespread and increases with longer service: 34% of families of reservists serving 100–150 days reported economic hardship, climbing to 38% among those whose partners served 250 days or more. Divorced women (58%) and single mothers (48%) with children shared with reservists are reported as being particularly affected.

The academic toll is evident in the report as well. Nearly half of reservists’ wives who are students said their grades suffered, 29% postponed courses, and 8% dropped out entirely. Among reservists themselves, dropout rates stood at 4.7%, lower than the 8.5% among other students.

The findings come as tens of thousands of reservists have been issued emergency call-up orders for Operation “Gideon’s Chariots B” in Gaza, as the IDF prepares to conquer Gaza City in the Strip’s north.