Despite global rise in antisemitism, immigration to Israel continues to fall, report

Despite rising antisemitism worldwide, the number of immigrants to Israel fell significantly in 2024, according to data released Monday by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

In 2024, a total of 31,068 new immigrants arrived in Israel — a drop of 32.6 percent from the 2023 figure. Preliminary data for the first seven months of 2025 suggest the decline is continuing: 11,300 immigrants arrived during that period, compared with 19,500 in the same span in 2024 — a decline of roughly 42 percent.

New immigrants arriving at Ben Gurion Airport

(Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Meanwhile, Aliyah and Integration Ministry figures indicate that in the Hebrew calendar year 5785 (which overlaps parts of 2024–2025), about 21,000 new immigrants moved to Israel.

The CBS noted that 2024 marks the second consecutive year of decline: there were 46,069 new immigrants in 2023. The drop follows a peak in 2022, when Israel received 74,807 immigrants, most of them from Ukraine and Russia, following the outbreak of war between the two nations.

Still, CBS pointed out that even with recent declines, the number of immigrants remains well above the annual average in the decade preceding 2022, which stood at about 24,460 per year.

Who are the new immigrants

In 2024, immigrants from former Soviet Union countries made up the majority: 21,900, or 70.6 percent of all immigrants.

The largest single country of origin was Russia, with 19,091 immigrants (61.4 percent). Other notable sources included the United States (2,864), France (2,004), Ukraine (948) and Belarus (713).

Immigrants in 2024 had a smaller share of children aged 0–14 than the general Israeli population: 16.7 percent vs. 27.5 percent.

Those aged 15–64 (the working‐age bracket) made up 71.8 percent of immigrants, compared with 59.5 percent of the overall population.

The share aged 65 and over was similar: 11.5 percent among immigrants vs. 13.0 percent in the total population.

Reception for new immigrants from Ukraine at an Aliyah and Integration Ministry ceremony, 2022

(Photo: GPO)

The median age of immigrants was about 36.4 years, roughly six years older than that of the general Israeli population (30.4 years).

More than half (54.9 percent) of new immigrants in 2024 settled in the Central and Tel Aviv districts.

Other districts: Haifa 17.3 percent; Jerusalem 10.9 percent; the South 8.9 percent; the North 6.1 percent; and the Judea and Samaria (West Bank) region about 2 percent.

Among immigrants age 15 and over in 2024, 76.3 percent had studied 13 years or more, slightly lower than in 2023 (78.2 percent).

Some 13.8 percent had 11‑12 years of education (vs. 14.1 percent in 2023), and 9.9 percent had 0‑10 years (up from 7.7 percent).

Of those with 13+ years, about 37.9 percent had 16 years or more of schooling (compared to 40.3 percent in 2023). Totals include education completed abroad prior to immigration.

Among immigrants with academic or professional backgrounds, the largest share worked in law, sociology, culture and society fields (28.6 percent), followed by science and engineering (24.6 percent), business and administration (12.6 percent), information and communication technology (12.2 percent), health (11.0 percent) and teaching (10.9 percent).

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer praised the resolve of immigrants in choosing to move during turbulent times. He said their decision reflects trust and solidarity in Israel. As the Jewish new year approaches, he extended wishes for a good year and pledged support for immigrants during their early days in the country.