Nearly 1,400 Israeli Doctors Left Country in Three Years, Study Finds

A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals a significant and accelerating trend of Israeli doctors emigrating. Between 2023 and 2025, approximately 1,370 physicians left Israel for at least a year, marking a 94% increase compared to the 2013-2015 period when 705 doctors departed. The study, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Population Registry, and licensing files, estimates that 416 doctors left in 2023, 530 in 2024, and an initial estimate of 419 for 2025.

The net emigration of doctors, accounting for those who return, averaged around 255 per year in 2023-2024, a fivefold increase from the previous decade. Notably, the proportion of experienced doctors aged 45 and over among those leaving rose to 20%, up from 14% a decade ago. Researchers suggest this indicates a migration of skilled, seasoned professionals, not just younger doctors seeking further training.

The exodus affects all medical fields but is particularly pronounced in pediatrics, ophthalmology, dermatology, and ENT (6.2% of specialists in these fields), surgery (6%, or 188 surgeons), intensive care and emergency medicine (4.7%), and internal medicine (3.9%, or 215 physicians). Geographically, the Tel Aviv district saw the most departures with 429 doctors (5.4% of its physicians), followed by the Central district (290) and Haifa (190).

While a year abroad doesn't necessarily mean permanent emigration, the researchers warn that the current trend could degrade the quality of medical services, lengthen wait times, and weaken the training system for younger doctors. Professor Itai Attar, a lead researcher, stated that the cumulative departure of nearly 1,400 doctors poses a significant risk to the resilience of the healthcare system. He stressed the need for proactive intervention to address the causes of emigration and create conditions to retain medical talent in Israel.