Internal Migration in Israel 2024 Reveals Shift from Major Cities to Mid-Sized Towns

In 2024, thousands of Israeli families relocated within the country, revealing significant changes in residential preferences. According to the Local Government Status Report, large metropolitan areas and established central cities are losing residents, while mid-sized and peripheral towns are increasingly attracting population growth. The report shows a cumulative net migration loss of about 16,000 residents from major local authorities in 2024, a 29% decrease from 2020 when 23,000 left, but the trend remains clear. Concurrently, cities with high socio-economic rankings saw a 39% drop in net positive migration, from 14,000 new residents in 2020 to 9,000 in 2024. Regional councils with medium to low rankings, once popular, now have zero net migration.

Jerusalem leads the list of cities with the highest net outflow, losing 7,944 residents in 2024. Despite this, multi-year data indicates a stabilization after a demographic decline peak in 2022, when 15,513 residents left. Other cities with significant net losses include Ashdod (2,365), Holon (2,169), Haifa (1,948), and Bnei Brak (1,781). The top 20 cities losing residents also feature Tel Aviv-Yafo, which saw a net loss of 699 people, and other urban centers like Modiin Illit and Eilat.

On the receiving end, Ashkelon tops the list with a net gain of 2,984 residents, followed by Beit Shemesh (2,736), Ramat Gan (2,248), and Modiin-Maccabim-Reut (2,200). Other towns showing strong population growth include Be'er Ya'akov, Netivot, Kiryat Ono, and Herzliya. The report highlights a demographic turnaround in cities like Or Yehuda, which shifted from a negative migration balance of 647 in 2020 to a positive 192 in 2024 due to accelerated housing development. Or Akiva also experienced steady growth, reaching 1,095 new residents in 2024.

Experts attribute these migration patterns primarily to housing availability and affordability. As older cities become more expensive and crowded, residents move to mid-sized towns with more accessible housing and ongoing construction projects. However, when large-scale building projects conclude, population growth rates in these towns tend to slow down, as seen in Harish and Rosh HaAyin. The report underscores the dynamic nature of Israel's internal migration, driven by economic factors and urban development trends.