With regards to demographic indicators, specifically age structure, fertility rate, and growth rate, differences between the Palestinian refugee populations and the local non-refugee populations are negligible in most Arab host states, with Lebanon constituting the only major exception. 2.3.1.1. Age Structure of Palestinian Refugees Similar to the non-refugee populations in UNRWA’s five areas of operation, the Palestinian refugee population is young. The Gaza Strip has the youngest refugee population, with about 41.9 percent of males under 18 years old and 41.1 percent for females. In contrast, about one fifth of registered refugees in Lebanon are under 18 years old, of which 22.8 males and 22.2 percent females. Of the overall Palestinian refugee population, nonetheless, approximately one third of all Palestinian registered refugees are younger than 18 years old, with no significance differences between males (31.6 percent) and females (31.0 percent). This large share of children and youth populations gives rise to high dependency ratios, a large burden on the refugee labor force, and a strong need for health and education services. Table 2.5: Percentage of UNRWA Registered Palestinian Refugees by Major Age Groups, End of 2021255 Age Region 0-17 18-59 60+ Total M F M F M F M F Jordan 26.5 26.4 59.5 59.4 14.0 14.2 100 100 Lebanon 22.8 22.2 59.4 58.9 17.7 18.8 100 100 Syria 31.9 30.6 55.9 55.2 12.3 14.2 100 100 West Bank 31.8 30.5 55.9 54.8 12.3 14.7 100 100 Gaza Strip 41.9 41.1 49.9 49.6 8.9 9.3 100 100 Total 31.6 31.0 56.1 55.7 12.3 13.4 100 100 2.3.1.2. Fertility Rates of Palestinian Refugees Refugees have a high fertility rate, calculated as the average number of children per woman. However, there has been a general consistent decline in the fertility rate among Palestinian refugees. In the West Bank, the fertility rate decreased from 6.17 in 1983-1994 to 4.2 in 2006 to 3.9 in 2010. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, it increased between 1983 and 1994 from 7.15 to 7.69, followed by a slow decrease from 2000 onwards, reaching 4.3 in 2010. As of 2021, the fertility rate for the whole 255 UNRWA, Population Dashboard (n 218). 53 Chapter 2.3.1. Demographic Indicators in UNRWA’s Five Areas of Operation 2 Moreover, no data is available about the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Palestinian IDPs separate from the general characteristics of the population in the host region. However, it is likely that their age structure, fertility rate, and other characteristics are similar to that of the general Palestinian population in 1948 Palestine and in the oPt.