Millions Eligible to Vote in Israel, But Hundreds of Thousands Abroad
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that approximately 6.5 million of the 7.3 million eligible voters reside in Israel for the upcoming Knesset elections. Around 810,000 eligible voters live abroad and are generally unable to vote. The number of eligible voters in Israel has grown by 5.4% since 2022. Haredi and Arab citizens constitute 10.5% and 18% of eligible voters respectively. Significant disparities exist in the proportion of eligible voters among different cities, with Jerusalem having the lowest percentage and Bat Yam the highest.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Approximately 6.5 million of Israel's 7.3 million eligible voters reside in the country for the upcoming election.
- Over 810,000 eligible Israeli voters live abroad and are typically unable to cast ballots.
- The number of eligible voters in Israel has increased by 5.4% since the 2022 elections.
- Haredi and Arab citizens represent 10.5% and 18% of eligible voters in Israel, respectively.
- Jerusalem has the lowest percentage of eligible voters among its residents, while Bat Yam has the highest.
With six days remaining until the 26th Knesset elections, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has released data on eligible voters. Approximately 7.3 million Israeli citizens are eligible to vote, but only about 6.5 million reside permanently in Israel. Around 810,000 eligible voters, roughly 11% of the total, live abroad and are generally unable to cast ballots unless specifically permitted by law. The CBS noted that some individuals listed as living abroad may have passed away without their deaths being officially registered.
Since the previous election in November 2022, the number of eligible voters residing in Israel has increased by approximately 333,000, a 5.4% rise. This growth reflects demographic changes but does not predict voter turnout or party preferences.
Among eligible voters living in Israel, approximately 5.017 million are Jewish (77%), with 684,000 identified as Haredi (ultra-Orthodox), constituting 10.5% of all eligible voters in Israel. The Arab population comprises about 1.159 million eligible voters, or 18% of the total, including Muslims, Arab Christians, and Druze. An additional 346,000 eligible voters, or 5%, fall into an 'other' category, primarily new immigrants and their families not classified as Jewish, as well as non-Arab Christians and individuals with no religious classification.
Discrepancies exist between the proportion of certain groups in the general population and their share of eligible voters. Arabs represent 22% of Israel's population but only 18% of eligible voters, while Haredim are 13.9% of the population and 10.5% of eligible voters. The CBS attributes these differences partly to the younger age structure in these populations and, in the Arab sector, to the number of non-citizen residents in East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
Age demographics show that 15.1% of eligible voters are between 18-24, and 27.6% are 25-39, totaling 42.7% for those under 40. The largest group, 31%, is aged 40-59, with those 60 and over making up 26.3%. This indicates that a majority of eligible voters are older.
Significant variations in the proportion of eligible voters exist among cities. Jerusalem has the lowest percentage of eligible voters among its residents at 39.2%, followed by Beit Shemesh (47.1%) and Bnei Brak (50.4%), largely due to their young populations and, in Jerusalem's case, a number of non-citizen residents. Conversely, Bat Yam leads with 79.5% of residents being eligible voters, followed by Tel Aviv-Yafo (77.4%) and Ramat Gan (77.2%). Nationally, the highest proportion of eligible voters is in Metula (83.8%), while the lowest is in Mas'ada in the Golan Heights (30.1%).
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