According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Ashdod had a population of about  at the end of , making it the sixth largest city in Israel. The annual population growth rate is 2.6% and the ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000. The population age distribution was recorded as 19.7% under the age of 10, 15.7% from age 10 to 19, 14.9% from 20 to 29, 19.1% from 30 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% were 65 or older. The population of Ashdod is significantly younger than the Israeli average because of the large number of young couples living in the city. The city is ranked medium-low in socio-economic grading, with a rating of 4 out of 10. 56.1% of Twelfth grade students in Ashdod were eligible for matriculation certificates in 2000. The average salary in 2000 was Israeli new sheqel 4,821 compared to the national average of Israeli new sheqel 6,835.. Were more people 45 and older, or 19 and younger?