Ahead of Its 78th Independence Day, Israel’s Population Stands at 10.244 Million
Ahead of its 78th Independence Day, which begins Tuesday evening, April 21, Israel’s total population stands at 10.244 million people, per figures released Sunday, April 19, by the Central Bureau of Statistics. The number is some 146,000 higher than last year, representing an increase of 1.4 percent. This growth includes 110,000 more Israelis and 36,000 more foreign residents, reflecting both natural increase and continued immigration to the Jewish state.
Of the total population, 7.790 million, or 76 percent, are Jewish and “others” — meaning non-Jewish, non-Arab citizens — while 2.157 million (21.1 percent) are Arabs, and the remaining 296,000 (2.9 percent) are foreigners. Independence Day begins on Tuesday evening with the conclusion of Memorial Day, and celebrations continue through Wednesday evening, April 22. Over the past year, approximately 177,000 newborn Israelis drew their first breath, while at the other end of life, 48,000 drew their last. A further 21,000 new immigrants arrived from abroad to make Israel their home.
Since 1948, more than 3.5 million people have immigrated to the country, though four out of five Israelis today are “sabras,” or native-born. Over a quarter of the population, 27 percent, are children aged 14 or under, while around 13 percent are over 65, giving Israel one of the youngest demographic profiles in the developed world. The second largest concentration of Jews globally is in the United States, with 6.3 million, or around 40 percent of the worldwide total of 15.8 million; Israel now holds roughly 45 percent of the world’s Jewish population. (TOI/VFI News)
“Lord God of Israel, we thank You that in Your faithfulness You have brought Your people home and sustained the nation of Israel to see its 78th year of restored sovereignty. We praise You for every child born this year, every immigrant welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport, and every family that now calls the land of promise home. Bless Israel’s people with peace within their borders, prosperity in their labor, and Your manifest presence in the year ahead. In Yeshua’s Name, we ask that You would continue to fulfill Your ancient promises and draw all Israel close to Your heart.”