Jewish Population Institute Report Highlights Rising Israeli Emigration
A report by the Jewish People Policy Institute indicates a significant increase in emigration from Israel in recent years. Approximately 755,000 Israelis currently live abroad, up from 630,000 three years ago. When including children born outside Israel, this number approaches one million.
The report acknowledges that the reasons for this emigration are not fully clear but notes that numerically, it has not significantly impacted Israel's overall population size. However, the ongoing war since October 7, 2023, is cited as a contributing factor, though the noticeable rise in emigration began in 2022, predating the conflict.
Two potential explanations for increased emigration are explored. The first suggests a link to the wave of Jewish immigration from Russia and Ukraine to Israel following their war, with research indicating that these immigrants are more likely to leave Israel. The second theory points to a post-COVID-19 demographic shift, where individuals who delayed their plans to leave Israel during pandemic lockdowns have since departed at a higher rate.
Professor Yedidya Stern, president of the institute, stated that while Israel's population is not at risk of decline, the emigration of highly educated individuals, particularly doctors, is concerning. He noted that this trend could place a growing burden on the healthcare system in the future.
Stern also suggested a connection between the difficult atmosphere created by the government's judicial reform efforts, initiated in late 2022, and the emigration phenomenon. While direct surveys of emigrants were not conducted, he asserted that the timing suggests the reform, perceived by some as a threat to Israel's democratic nature, is a significant factor, especially given the otherwise stable economic and security situation at the time.
The report also touches on the global Jewish population, noting that Israeli emigrants now constitute a significant portion of Jewish communities in Scandinavian countries, Germany, and the UK, partially offsetting the decline in European Jewish populations.
