Migration rates out of Israel have risen to unprecedented levels, especially since the escalation in Gaza. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, as seen by Sky News Arabia, the emigration figures reveal long-term harm to Israel, particularly since these migration movements originated from areas unaffected by the escalation.
The report shows that in the first seven months of this year, about 40,600 people left the country, with an additional 2,200 people emigrating monthly compared to 2023. The Central Bureau of Statistics in Israel has updated its methods for calculating long-term departures and returns of Israelis, aligning with international migration standards and developing new statistical methods within its demography and census department.
In 2023, a record 55,400 people emigrated from Israel, a significant increase compared to the annual average of 37,100 over the previous decade. That same year, 27,800 Israelis returned after extended periods abroad, an increase from the decade-long average of 23,800. Under the old measurement method, used until 2021, both emigration and return figures were lower.
In 2023, about 39% of emigrants were from Israel’s wealthiest areas, including Tel Aviv and the central region. Another 28% left from Haifa and the north, 15% from the south, and 13% from Jerusalem. Judea and Samaria contributed 5% of the total emigrants. Additionally, The Jerusalem Post noted that around 59% of emigrants in 2023 were born outside of Israel, while 41% were born in Israel. Many of these emigrants had received generous government assistance when they first arrived in Israel, including subsidized housing and mortgages.
