Science & Tech · AI · 4 hrs ago
Math and computer science enrollment falls in Israel as social sciences lead
Israel had fewer undergraduate students studying mathematics, statistics and computer science in the 2025-2026 academic year than in the year before.
Enrollment in those subjects fell 7.4%, from 22,203 to 20,571, according to the Council for Higher Education.
The council said changing demand in the technology industry, including greater interest in artificial intelligence and data-related fields, may be influencing students’ choices.
Enrollment in artificial intelligence, data science and data engineering rose 3.9% to 2,259 students.
Social sciences became the largest undergraduate field, with 37,711 students, just ahead of engineering at 37,596.
The shift matters because technology is a major part of Israel’s economy, and fewer students in traditional technical subjects could affect its future workforce.
The figures come amid wider disruption to education from war-related closures and other longstanding challenges.
The data show current enrollment trends, but do not say what students will choose in future years.
Undergraduate enrollment in mathematics, statistics and computer science in Israel fell 7.4% in the 2025-2026 academic year, according to the Council for Higher Education.
Social sciences became the largest undergraduate field, with 37,711 students, narrowly ahead of engineering.
The Council linked the decline in computer science enrollment in part to changes in high-tech demand, including increased demand for artificial intelligence and data-related skills.
Enrollment in artificial intelligence, data science and data engineering rose 3.9% over the same year.
The figures come amid concerns about how war and technological change are affecting students’ education and career choices.
- Who
- Undergraduate students in Israel.
- What
- Enrollment in mathematics, statistics and computer science fell, while social sciences became the largest undergraduate field.
- When
- The 2025-2026 academic year. The Council released the figures on Sunday.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- The Council partly attributed the computer science decline to students responding to rapid changes in the high-tech industry and shifting demand for AI and data-related skills.
The Open University
Faculty members
Proposed measures
The Open University
The university is considering staff cuts, fewer in-person classes and closing study centers to address an estimated NIS 20 million revenue shortfall next year.
Faculty members
Faculty members warned the measures could harm education quality and drive away more students.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Enrollment in mathematics, statistics and computer science was 23,111.
Enrollment in those subjects fell to 22,203, while social sciences had 36,519 students and engineering had 37,595.
Enrollment in mathematics, statistics and computer science fell to 20,571; social sciences became the largest field with 37,711 students.
The Open University projects a 12% decline in computer science enrollment.
- Math, statistics and computer science enrollment
- 20,571 students in 2025-2026, down 7.4%
- Social sciences
- 37,711 undergraduates in 2025-2026
- Engineering
- 37,596 undergraduates in 2025-2026
- AI and data-related fields
- 2,259 students in 2025-2026, up 3.9%
- Open University computer science
- Projected 12% enrollment decline in 2027
Sources
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