The Jerusalem Post: Israelis Great Exodus!
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel is witnessing an unprecedented wave of immigration, with 40,600 people leaving the country in the first seven months of this year.
This means that the monthly rate of immigration has increased to about 2,200 people compared to the same period in 2023, as these immigrants take with them their money, academic degrees, and professional skills.
The Israeli newspaper reported in its English version website, that these figures reflect the potential negative impact of this immigration on the future of Israel, even in areas that are not witnessing conflicts, such as the north and south.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics has updated its method of collecting data on the numbers of Israelis leaving and returning, based on international standards for measuring migration, and developed new statistical methods within the Demography and Population Census Division.
According to the report, the data points to a painful reality, with some 55,400 people emigrating in 2023, a record high compared to an annual average of 37,100 people over the past decade.
At the same time, 27,800 Israelis returned after long periods spent abroad, reflecting an increase from the annual average of 23,800 people.
Moreover, the data showed that 39% of immigrants in 2023 belonged to the wealthiest areas, including Tel Aviv and the central areas.
While 28% left from Haifa and the north, 15% from the south, while the percentage of immigrants from Jerusalem was 13% and from “Judea and Samaria” (the West Bank) 5%.
The immigration from Israel increased during the summer, with about 5,200 people leaving in the first five months of the year, while the number rose to 7,300 in June and July.
In August, about 20,500 Israelis who normally live abroad returned to visit their homeland.
According to the Central Statistical Office’s definition, the number of long-term migrants increased by 59% in the first seven months of 2023.
The average age of male immigrants in 2023 was 31.6 years, while that of female immigrants was 32.5 years.
People in their 20s and 30s made up 40% of immigrants, although they only represent about 27% of the total population.
The Jerusalem Post believes that this indicates that Israel is losing a large workforce at a critical stage, as many are entering the labor market or continuing their studies or receiving training abroad.
Among the immigrants, 48% of men and 45% of women were single, while about 41% of them immigrated with their partners, reinforcing the idea that many may immigrate permanently.
The Jerusalem Post continued its analysis, noting that non-Arab Christians, most of whom are immigrants from the former Soviet Union, made up 32.4% of immigrants in 2023, despite representing only 4.9% of the total population.
In contrast, the percentage of Arab Muslims and Christians was much lower, representing only 6.2% of immigrants despite representing 21.3% of Israel’s population.
