OECD: Israeli Classrooms Among the Most Crowded in the World
Israel's classrooms are the second most crowded in the OECD, with elementary schools averaging 27.4 students, according to new data.
Jerusalem, 29 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel has the second-largest average classroom sizes among developed countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), trailing only Chile, according to the OECD’s latest education data.
Israeli elementary-school classrooms average 27.4 students, compared with about 20.5 across the OECD, while middle-school classrooms average 30.1 students, compared with an OECD average of 23. Some Israeli classes have as many as 39 students.
The figures come as Israel also records the highest number of primary-school instruction days among OECD countries. Israeli schools operate for about 214 days a year, compared with an OECD average of 186 days.
The report also highlights differences in education spending and teacher pay. Israel devotes a relatively large share of its economy to primary and secondary education, while starting salaries for teachers remain relatively low compared with other OECD countries.