Israel Faces Dramatic Exodus of Doctors Amid Rising Concerns

A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a significant increase in the number of physicians leaving Israel. Between 2023 and 2025, approximately 1,300 doctors, representing about 3% of the country's medical workforce, have departed. After accounting for returning physicians, Israel lost a net total of 509 doctors in 2023 and 2024, an average of 255 per year, a stark contrast to the average annual loss of 54 doctors between 2010 and 2019.

Professor Itai Atter, a lead researcher from Tel Aviv University's Coller School of Management, noted that while some doctors may leave for temporary specialized training, the dramatic surge in departures since 2023 suggests reasons beyond standard training processes. The current wave also includes a higher proportion of experienced, older physicians. From 2023-2025, 20% of departing doctors were over 45, compared to 14% in the previous decade, further indicating that these are not solely trainees. Specialties with the highest departure rates include surgery (6.3%), dermatology, ophthalmology, and ENT (6.2%), neurology, hematology, and oncology (5.7%), and intensive care and emergency medicine (4.7%).

While many departing doctors are specialists, the majority are under 60. The study also highlighted that 9.4% of dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and ENT specialists under 60 have left, along with 9% of surgeons under 60 and 8.2% of neurologists, hematologists, and oncologists under 60. Geographically, higher departure rates were observed from the Tel Aviv and central regions compared to the periphery, potentially linked to political views and opportunities at leading hospitals.

Most departing doctors were trained in Israel, a process considered high-quality. The study excluded physicians who arrived from Ukraine and Russia in 2022 and subsequently left. While the Ministry of Health and hospitals acknowledged awareness and concern regarding the phenomenon, they did not provide official comment on the data. Atter warned that while the current numbers do not pose an immediate threat, a continued rise could create a negative feedback loop.

The Ministry of Health has a plan to increase the number of trained doctors annually, but Atter believes this may only suffice to replace retiring physicians and does not account for a potential increase in emigration. The departure of experienced doctors also complicates the training of the next generation. Atter expressed uncertainty about whether government interventions can effectively address the issue, noting that while programs exist to attract Jewish doctors from abroad, past experiences with immigrants from the former Soviet Union have shown mixed results in retention.