Israel’s population stands at an estimated 10.305 million ahead of Rosh Hashanah, after growing by approximately 124,000 people over the past year, the Central Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday. 

The figures were released as part of the CBS’s annual “Israel in Numbers” report ahead of Rosh Hashanah, which compiles data covering population, health, education, employment, housing, the economy, transportation, agriculture, the environment and other aspects of Israeli life. 

The annual population growth rate was 1.2%, according to the CBS figures. Of the country’s residents, about 7.828 million are Jews and others, representing 78.3% of the Israeli population, while approximately 2.173 million are Arabs, or 21.7%. Another 304,000 residents are foreign nationals.

The figures show that approximately 182,000 babies were born over the past year, while around 50,000 people died. At the same time, Israel recorded a negative international migration balance, with roughly 8,000 people deducted from the Israeli population through migration. 

Around 24,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel over the period, along with some 4,000 people through family reunification. Approximately 21,000 Israelis who had previously emigrated returned to the country, while some 57,000 Israelis left after being classified as having emigrated abroad, according to the CBS. 

Israel’s migration rate has risen sharply since 2023, as a Tel Aviv University study published in August, based on CBS data, found that a total of 268,930 Israelis left Israel in 2023 (86,509), 2024 (91,499), and 2025 (90,922). For comparison, the study showed that during the same period in 2013, 2014, and 2015, only 83,219 citizens left Israel.

The bureau uses a specific methodology for determining when a person is classified as an emigrant, and noted in the report that its population data are provisional and are based on the 2022 census, with changes made to the method for calculating Israelis living abroad and the addition of the foreign population. 

At the end of 2025, Israel’s total population was estimated at 10.203 million, including 9.916 million Israelis and 286,700 foreign residents. During 2025, 20,900 new immigrants arrived, down from 31,100 in 2024, while 69,500 Israelis were recorded as leaving and 18,800 as returning under the CBS’s annual migration methodology.

A separate Aliyah and Integration Ministry report released in June said that more than 22,500 new immigrants moved to Israel in 2025, with increased immigration from several Western countries despite the security challenges of recent years.

Israel also remains home to nearly half of the world’s Jewish population. As of January 1, 2026, there were an estimated 15.9 million Jews worldwide, approximately 46% of whom lived in Israel, according to the CBS. 

Israel’s fertility remains far above OECD average

The bureau’s annual figures also highlighted Israel’s relatively high fertility rate. A total of 183,678 live births were recorded in the relevant annual data, with the total fertility rate standing at 2.88 children per woman, compared with an OECD average of 1.41.

There were more than three million private households in Israel, with an average of 3.17 people per household, compared with approximately 2.5 across OECD countries. Some 53,025 couples married in 2024 and 16,499 divorced.

Life expectancy remained high by international standards. Israeli men had a life expectancy of 81.4 years and women 85.9 years, according to the latest figures. CBS international comparisons placed Israeli men seventh among OECD countries and women eighth based on the comparable 2024 data. This continues a pattern in which Israeli life expectancy ranks among the highest in the OECD.

The labor market remained tight, with 4.577 million people participating in the labor force and the unemployment rate standing at 2.9%. The employment rate among Israelis aged 15 and over was 60.9%, including 63.6% among men and 58.2% among women. 

Housing data presented a mixed picture. The housing price index fell 1% and the index for new-home prices declined 2.8%, while average rent rose 4.3%. The average home price stood at approximately NIS 2.33 million, while average monthly rent reached NIS 4,919.

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