Poll: One-Third of Israelis Consider Emigration Amidst National Challenges

A recent survey indicates that 31.3% of Israeli respondents are significantly considering emigrating from the country due to challenging living conditions. The poll, conducted by the Shiluv Institute among 502 Jewish Israelis aged 18 and over, revealed a notable gender disparity, with 38.3% of men expressing a strong inclination to consider moving abroad compared to 24.1% of women. This difference is even more pronounced when looking at those who would consider emigrating "to a very large extent," with 17% of men and only 5.6% of women reporting this.

The survey attributes these considerations to a series of recent crises, including a sharp rise in the cost of living and housing, deep political and social polarization, the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war, ongoing border conflicts, and prolonged mandatory military reserve duty. These factors have contributed to a sense of insecurity and a public discourse increasingly focused on the possibility of living elsewhere.

Lawyer Yehoshua Pax, who commissioned the survey through his firm specializing in foreign citizenship for Israelis, noted that men might be more inclined to consider emigration as a solution to economic hardship and demanding military service, while women may prioritize the security of their children and family. He suggested that women might view obtaining a foreign passport more as a safety net and a way to expand future options for their families, rather than an immediate plan to leave.

Conversely, 34.5% of respondents stated that life in Israel does not cause them to consider moving at all. Among women, 59.4% reported considering moving to a small extent or not at all, compared to 44.7% of men. Pax also pointed out that many inquiries his firm receives are from older Israelis seeking foreign passports for their children and grandchildren, indicating a desire to secure future options for the next generation, regardless of immediate emigration plans.