Are the ultra-Orthodox poor?

About 45 percent of Haredim fall below the poverty line—and they tend to have very large families. While the birthrate for Israel’s secular families is about 2.2 children per woman, it’s 7.1 for Haredim. That fuels rapid growth: Haredi now make up 12 percent of the population, but their number is set to double in the next 30 years. Add to that the growing population of Arab Israelis, who also tend to be poor, and the demographic trend is troubling. Economists say Israel may not continue to thrive when so many of its citizens lack access to the education and training needed for modern jobs.