Center for Data Analysis (CDA)
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The Center for Data Analysis (CDA) at the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS)
specializes in the analysis and production of large and often complex datasets. It collects
and uses longitudinal opinion data - evidence that tracks changes in the opinions
and attitudes of the same Israelis over time - and processes cross-national data to
compare the economic and social standing of Israel vis-a-vis other countries in the world.
JIMS is pleased to announce the launching of the first comprehensive multi-year panel survey of Israeli public opinion, called The Israel Panel Study of Opinion Dynamics (IPSOD). IPSOD questions individuals about their economic, political and social attitudes. We elicit responses on attitudes towards: tax reform, welfare reform, income inequality, income redistribution, charitable giving, immigration, cronyism, public sector corruption, conscription vs. a volunteer army, and the importance of religion in influencing individual behavior.
Since 2004, JIMS has calculated Israel's Tax Freedom Day (TFD). TFD is the day in the year when Israelis stop giving every shekel they make to the government and start spending or saving money for themselves. The calculations show that, since TFD has been calculated, Israeli taxpayers worked more for the government than for themselves.
Tax Freedom Day makes it simple for taxpayers to realize just how much of their money is transferred to the government in a year. It is usually quite confusing and daunting for taxpayers to gauge their tax burden. The visible part of taxes taken in the form of income tax can be easily calculated by anyone. However, hidden taxes and fees like customs tax and purchase tax are often overlooked. The calculation of Tax Freedom Day enables Israelis to get a clearer picture of their overall tax bill.
Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and
institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. The annual report
is published in conjunction with the Economic Freedom Network, a group of independent
research and educational institutes in over 70 nations. The Jerusalem Institute for
Market Studies is the Israel partner in the network, collecting and calculating Israel's
level of economic freedom.
The Economic Freedom of the World project was developed by Milton and Rose Friedman and
a team of economists from universities and think tanks around the world in order
to create a measurable index of economic freedom, useful in academia and policy.
A new report is issued each year, reflecting the latest data available.
The 2009 International Property Rights Index (IPRI) is the third edition of the first international comparative study that measures the significance of both physical and intellectual property rights and their protection for economic well-being. In order to incorporate and grasp the important aspects related to property rights protection, the Index focuses on three areas: Legal and Political Environment (LP), Physical Property Rights (PPR), and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The current study analyzes data for seventy countries around the globe, representing ninety-five percent of world GDP. Of great importance, the 2007 gauge incorporates data of PR protection from various sources, often directly obtained from expert surveys within the evaluated countries.