Ahead of Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Central Bureau of Statistics released new data on Tuesday showing that Israel’s population has climbed to nearly 10.1 million — a dramatic twelvefold rise since the state’s founding in 1948.
The latest population count reflects an annual growth of approximately 135,000 people, or 1.4%. Of that number, around 7.7 million — making up 77.6% of the population — are classified as Jewish or “other.” The “other” group, previously categorized separately, includes individuals such as non-Arab Christians and those without an official listed ethnicity, many of whom are eligible for Israeli residency due to Jewish ancestry or family ties, according to the CBS.
The data also shows that roughly 2.1 million people in Israel, accounting for 20.9% of the population, are Arab citizens — whether Muslim, Christian, or Druze. An additional 250,000 individuals (2.5%) fall outside both the Jewish and Arab classifications. These include foreign nationals like students, laborers, and undocumented residents.
According to the statistics bureau, in the past year Israel saw the birth of approximately 174,000 babies, the arrival of 28,000 new immigrants, and the deaths of about 50,000 citizens. The demographics point to a relatively youthful nation, with 27% of the population under the age of 18, while only 13% are aged 65 and older.
When compared with global population trends, Israel’s growth remains high. The world’s population expanded by roughly 0.9% to reach just over 8 billion in 2023, based on World Bank figures. However, Israel’s pace of growth has slightly tapered off from the prior year’s 1.9% increase, which brought the population close to 9.9 million.
A factor contributing to the slowdown is a notable drop in immigration. A report issued Monday by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration highlighted a 24% decrease in new arrivals over the last year.
The CBS also noted that around 56,000 Israeli citizens currently live abroad. While this figure has declined, the report did not specify by how much.
Since the country’s establishment, approximately 3.5 million people have made aliyah to Israel, the bureau said. Nearly half — 47.6% — came beginning in 1990, during the large wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union. By the end of 2023, Israel was home to about 45% of the world’s Jewish population, and 80% of Jewish Israelis were born in the country.
Israel is preparing to mark its 77th Independence Day on Wednesday evening, in line with the Jewish calendar. Commemorations will begin the night before with Memorial Day, which honors fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The day will open with a nationwide siren and a moment of silence at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.
{Matzav.com Israel}