Economy - overview:
Israeli security controls imposed since the end of the second intifada have degraded economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli-imposed border closures, which became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007, have resulted in high unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and sharp contraction of the private sector that had relied primarily on export markets. The population is reliant on government spending - by both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and HAMAS's de facto government - and humanitarian assistance. Changes to Israeli restrictions on imports in 2010 resulted in a rebound in some economic activity, but regular exports from Gaza still are not permitted. Recent indicators of strong growth belie the economic reality that standard-of-living measures remain below levels seen in the mid-1990s.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
see entry for West Bank
[see also: GDP country ranks ]

GDP - real growth rate:
see entry for West Bank
[see also: GDP - real growth rate country ranks ]

GDP - per capita (PPP):
see entry for West Bank
[see also: GDP - per capita country ranks ]

GDP - composition by sector:
see entry for West Bank

Labor force:
348,200 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 161
[see also: Labor force country ranks ]

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5.1%
[see also: Labor force - by occupation - agriculture country ranks ]
industry: 15.6%
services: 79.3% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate:
40% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186