Nearly 90,000 Israelis Leave Country in 2025, Continuing Emigration Trend Since 2023
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Over 90,000 Israelis left the country for at least three months in 2025, continuing a sharp rise in emigration since 2023, with a 47% increase compared to 2013-2015. Researchers warn this trend could threaten Israel's security and economy if it persists.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Over 90,000 Israelis left Israel for at least three months in 2025, slightly fewer than in 2024.
- From 2023 to 2025, 268,509 Israelis emigrated, a 47% increase from 2013-2015.
- Annual average emigrants rose from 61,000 to 90,000 over the past decade.
- 2023 marked a significant rise in emigration after stable numbers in previous years.
- Researchers estimate 45,000-50,000 Israelis left for at least 12 months in 2025, pending official data.
- The study excludes returnees and detailed demographic data for 2025.
In 2025, over 90,000 Israelis left the country for at least three consecutive months, marking a slight decrease from 91,499 in 2024 but an increase from 86,509 in 2023, according to a new study by professors Itai Eter, Nitai Bergman, and Doron Zamir from Tel Aviv University. The research, based on data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics and other official sources, shows a sharp rise in emigration over the three-year period from 2023 to 2025, with 268,509 citizens leaving Israel compared to 183,219 between 2013 and 2015, representing a 47% increase. The annual average number of emigrants rose from about 61,000 to 90,000.
The study highlights that prior to the 2023 spike, emigration numbers were relatively stable, ranging from 56,696 in 2011 to 62,630 in 2016, with a notable dip to 38,764 in 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The year 2023 marked a significant turning point with a sharp increase in departures. The researchers introduced a new measurement index based on a minimum three-month consecutive stay abroad, which correlates strongly with their previous 12-month index. They estimate that the number of Israelis leaving for at least 12 months in 2025 will be between 45,000 and 50,000, though this is an estimate pending official data expected in 2027.
The definition of "leaving" in this study includes Israelis who stayed abroad for at least three months continuously, excluding new immigrants unless they lived in Israel for at least three years before leaving. The data does not account for Israelis returning in 2025, nor does it provide demographic breakdowns such as profession, education, or income, which were included in earlier reports. Professor Eter cautioned that while the current data does not yet pose a threat to Israel's resilience, the ongoing trend could jeopardize the country's security and economy if it continues unchecked.
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