IDI analysis shows National-Religious men driving shift in IDF reserve duty as overall numbers fall

An analysis by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) reveals significant shifts in IDF reserve service during the Israel-Hamas War, based on Central Bureau of Statistics data from 2023 to 2025. National-Religious men are increasingly over-represented in reserve duty, with 31% serving despite comprising only 15% of Israel's population. Their participation increased substantially, while secular men's participation decreased the most, though they still form the largest group of reservists. Haredi men showed minimal involvement, with only 0.3% participating. Overall reserve duty participation declined across all groups year by year.

• In 2025, 4.1% of National-Religious men served monthly, compared to 1.7% of secular men and 0.3% of Haredim.
• Women constituted approximately 13.5% of all reservists, with secular and traditional women overrepresented relative to their populations.
• The high-tech sector initially had the highest percentage of workers in reserve duty in 2023 (16.5%), but by 2025, it had the lowest rate among the business and public sectors (2.3%).
• Religious men in rural areas were more likely to serve than those in cities.