Religious men dominate Israel's reserve duty amid declining overall service

In Israel, a study by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that reserve duty is unevenly distributed among Jewish men based on religious identity. By late 2023, 15.2% of religious men aged 21-44 served in the reserves, compared to 11.2% of secular and traditional men. By 2025, this gap widened, with 4.3% of religious men serving monthly. The study highlights implications for family life and public policy, as prolonged military service affects different communities disproportionately.