RAMALLAH, July 11, 2009 (WAFA)- On the  Eve of International Population day, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said that the total Population of the Palestinian Territory in the first half of 2009 was about 3.9 million, 2.4 million in the West Bank and 1.5 million in Gaza Strip.

In the first quarter of 2009, 25% of Palestinian labor force is unemployed. In addition, 9.1% of Palestinian females (15 years and above) are illiterate.

Based on estimates prepared by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics according to the results of the Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2007, the total population of the Palestinian Territory mid 2009 was about 3.9 million; 2.0 million males and 1.9 million females. The estimated population of the West Bank was 2.4 million; 1.2 million males and 1.2 million females.

The estimated population of Gaza Strip amounted to 1.5 million, 755 thousand males and 732 thousand females. The percentage of urban population mid-2009 was about 73.7%, while the percentage of the rural population and camps areas was 17.0% and 9.3% respectively.

Hebron governorate in the West Bank was the highest populated governorate 581 thousand mid 2009 and Jericho was the lowest populated governorate 44 thousand, while in Gaza Strip the highest was Gaza Governorate 519 thousand and the lowest was Rafah governorate totaled 182 thousand, mid 2009.