This year, Israel is once again reporting significant population growth on Independence Day. The immigration figures are also noteworthy, being the highest they have been in many years.
The Israeli population has grown by 176,000 people within a single Jewish year. This corresponds to a growth rate of 1.9 percent (compared to 1.5 percent in 2021, a slightly shorter year), as announced by the government's Central Bureau of Statistics on Sunday. The release coincides with the upcoming Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut).
The Israeli population now numbers 9.506 million. A total of 191,000 babies were born (2021: 167,000). At the same time, 38,000 people immigrated to the country (2021: 16,300). 55,000 people died.
Highest immigration figures in two decades
Immigration figures are the highest in two decades, the Jewish Agency (Sochnut) announced on Sunday, also on the occasion of Independence Day. The immigration authority attributes this in part to the war in Ukraine, but also cites the coronavirus crisis as a reason for increased interest in making aliyah (immigrant immigration). According to Sochnut figures, of the 38,000 new immigrants, 19,000 come from Ukraine and Russia, 4,000 from the USA, and 3,700 from France.
Another figure that is frequently observed is the development of the Jewish population. According to the statistics office, 73.9 percent of Israelis are currently Jewish, 21.1 percent Arab, and 5 percent belong to another ethnic group. This corresponds to the proportions from a year ago. Ten years ago, 75.3 percent were Jewish and only 20.6 percent Arab, out of a total population of 7.881 million.
Strong population growth
Overall, the Israeli population is considered young: around 28 percent are children between 0 and 14 years old. The statistics office projects that the Israeli population will increase to 11.1 million by 2030, to 13.2 million by 2040, and to 15.2 million by 2048, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the state.
Israeli Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut, begins on Wednesday evening, immediately following Yom HaZikaron, the day of remembrance for the fallen and victims of terrorism. It is kicked off with the main ceremonies on Mount Herzl, including the lighting of 12 torches representing the 12 tribes of Israel, accompanied by speeches and musical performances at the tomb of the Zionist thinker Theodor Herzl in West Jerusalem.
