Israel Sees Net Emigration for Third Consecutive Year
In the Hebrew year 5786 (ending September 2026), Israel experienced a negative migration balance for the third year in a row, with approximately 8,000 more people leaving the country than arriving. Official figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) indicate that around 24,000 new immigrants and returning Israelis arrived, while approximately 57,000 individuals were registered as leaving. This trend follows similar negative balances in previous years: around 27,000 in 5784 (2024) and over 29,000 in 5785 (2025).
Experts and former residents suggest that high living costs and ongoing security concerns, including wars and missile attacks, are the primary drivers behind the emigration. The CBS definition of an "emigrant" requires a stay of at least nine consecutive months abroad, meaning the actual number of people leaving Israel may be significantly higher than official figures suggest, as many continue to visit or work remotely for Israeli companies. Conversely, new immigrants and returning residents are registered immediately upon arrival.
Recent analyses by Tel Aviv University economists estimate that between 2023 and 2025, around 270,000 people left Israel for at least three months, with approximately 50,000 expected to remain abroad permanently. This suggests the actual negative migration balance could be over 110,000, far exceeding the official CBS count of around 65,000 for that period.
The number of new immigrants has also declined, falling from a high of about 74,000 in 2022 (largely due to the war in Ukraine) to approximately 31,000 in 2024 and 20,900 in 2025. Similarly, the number of Israelis returning to the country has decreased, with around 24,000 in 2024 and 19,000 in 2025, significantly lower than in previous years.
The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration attributes the decline in immigration to the high cost of living and the security situation, with its director-general expressing optimism that immigration will increase once the security situation stabilizes. The primary reasons cited by Israelis for leaving include the cost of living, stagnant living standards, the trauma of the October 7th attacks, ongoing security threats, and reserve duty burdens, with some also pointing to government policies.
