Gaza Faces Worst Economic Crisis as 90% of Businesses Destroyed Amid Ongoing Conflict
September 24, 2026
Nine in ten businesses in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands unemployed as the economy collapses under the conflict.
More than 90% of Gaza’s workforce remains unemployed, with 92% of economic facilities destroyed and reconstruction costs estimated at about $71.5 billion.
A permanent ceasefire and a substantial international mobilization of financial and technical aid are urged to reverse decades of development decline in the territories.
The context remains a continued conflict and humanitarian crisis that underscores severe economic and human impacts.
Since a fragile ceasefire in October 2025, Gaza’s economy is still in ruins and poverty is pervasive.
The 2023-2025 conflict and Israeli military offensive have devastated infrastructure, housing, industry, and agriculture, with tens of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
In the West Bank, economic activity is constrained by land and resource access limits and settlement expansion, fueling displacement.
UNCTAD notes Gaza’s per capita GDP at about 58 cents a day, roughly 83% below 2022 levels, with prices 274% higher than in 2022.
UNCTAD labels Gaza’s economy as the world’s worst economic crisis on record.
The UN development agency warns of Gaza facing the worst economic crisis on record.
Widespread ruin and daily threats from falling buildings continue to plague Gaza’s residents.
UNCTAD projects it will take years for the West Bank and well over a decade for Gaza to recover to pre-crisis GDP per capita levels.
Summary based on 2 sources