(ISRAEL) Autism increasing due to old parents
- The end of childhood
- Apr 6
- 2 min read
Mar 31, 2025, YNet News: Autism rates rising in Israel, with increases linked to parental age
Parental age is a key factor in rising autism rates in developed countries, including Israel, alongside improved diagnosis and awareness; Data in Israel show 7 in 1,000 people are on the spectrum, with 45% having an additional disability
The prevalence of autism in Israel is on the rise, with significant increases linked to parental age, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics released on Monday ahead of World Autism Awareness Day, which is observed on Wednesday.
As of 2023, 68,197 individuals in Israel were officially recognized as being on the autism spectrum, a prevalence rate of seven per 1,000 people. Of those diagnosed, 76% were male, and 82% were children or adolescents under the age of 17. The data further indicate that 45% of individuals on the spectrum have an additional disability, and 11% have two or more additional disabilities.
Autism prevalence has increased over time, rising from 4.7 per 1,000 among those born in 2000 (23 years old in 2023) to 28.3 per 1,000 among those born in 2018 (five years old in 2023). The bureau noted that this rise does not necessarily reflect a higher incidence of autism but is likely due to improvements in diagnosis and detection within Israel's health care system. . . .
The rising prevalence of autism is a trend seen worldwide. In the United States, the rate increased from 6.7 per 1,000 among those born in 2000 to 27.6 per 1,000 among those born in 2020.
Parental age is a key factor in autism rates. Among children born between 2000 and 2012, the prevalence of autism was 20% higher among children of fathers aged 45-46 compared to fathers aged 23-24. Among mothers, the rate was 101% higher (from 10 per 1,000 at age 23-24 to 21 per 1,000 at age 45-46). The trend persists for children born between 2013 and 2018. Interestingly, among very young parents (under 23), autism rates were higher among children of young fathers than among children of young mothers. . . .
The findings underscore the need for continued research into autism prevalence, diagnostic accessibility, and the impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors on diagnosis rates in Israel.
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