The ISRAEL 15 Vision

Definition

The ISRAEL 15 Vision focuses on placing Israel among the fifteen leading countries in terms of Quality of Life within fifteen years. This vision requires a social and economic leapfrog that would close the gap in Quality of Life between Israel and developed countries. This vision is the organizing idea of the Reut Institute in the context of its work toward Israel's social and economic development.

Background

The ISRAEL 15 Vision was conceived during a project of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation that took place between 1997 and 1999. Representatives from different sectors of Israeli society were invited to outline scenarios for the future of the State of Israel in the year 2020. Within this framework, Ms. Raya Strauss Ben-Dror, one of Israel's leading industrialists, Mr. David Brodet, former Director General of the Ministry of Finance, and Gidi Grinstein joined together to develop a scenario which they titled "the ISRAEL 15 Vision".​​​

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Since the initial project, each of these three individuals has continued to promote this vision. Ms. Strauss Ben-Dror made the ISRAEL 15 Vision a source of inspiration in her philanthropic giving. Mr. Brodet led the 'Israel 2028' team. Gidi Grinstein devoted his studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to the question of how to implement the ISRAEL 15 Vision. Following his return to Israel, he established the Reut Institute in 2004 where the ISRAEL 15 Vision has been an integral part of the institute's vision and work.

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Socio-Economic Leapfrog

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A social and economic leapfrog is a significant and continuous improvement in the Quality of Life of a country's citizens in comparison to other countries. In order for Israel to 'leapfrog' in Quality of Life, it must grow by at least 4% per capita for a period that can last up to 20 years. In addition, Israel must translate its wealth into improvements in non-material aspects of Quality of Life such as personal, physical, and social well-being.

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Leapfrogs in Quality of Life are rare. Only about fifteen countries have experienced such leapfrogs in the past fifty years. They include Ireland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Chile and Israel. Between the 1950s and 1970s, Israel doubled its standard of living in comparison to that of the United States, from approximately 30% of US GDP per capita to roughly 60%. Since then, Israel's standard of living has not improved relative to the US despite 20 years of growth.