Jews were the dominant religious group in the Israel-Palestine region at the beginning of the first millennia CE, and are the dominant religious group there today, however, there was a period of almost 2,000 years where most of the world's Jews were displaced from their spiritual homeland. Antiquity to the 20th century Jewish hegemony in the region began changing after a series of revolts against Roman rule led to mass expulsions and emigration. Roman control saw severe persecution of Jewish and Christian populations, but this changed when the Byzantine Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion in the 4th century. Christianity then dominated until the 7th century, when the Rashidun Caliphate (the first to succeed Muhammad) took control of the Levant. Control of region split between Christians and Muslims intermittently between the 11th and 13th centuries during the Crusades, although the population remained overwhelmingly Muslim. Zionism until today Through the Paris Peace Conference, the British took control of Palestine in 1920. The Jewish population began growing through the Zionist Movement after the 1880s, which sought to establish a Jewish state in Palestine. Rising anti-Semitism in Europe accelerated this in the interwar period, and in the aftermath of the Holocaust, many European Jews chose to leave the continent. The United Nations tried facilitating the foundation of separate Jewish and Arab states, yet neither side was willing to concede territory, leading to a civil war and a joint invasion from seven Arab states. Yet the Jews maintained control of their territory and took large parts of the proposed Arab territory, forming the Jewish-majority state of Israel in 1948, and acheiving a ceasefire the following year. Over 750,000 Palestinians were displaced as a result of this conflict, while most Jews from the Arab eventually fled to Israel. Since this time, Israel has become one of the richest and advanced countries in the world, however, Palestine has been under Israeli military occupation since the 1960s and there are large disparities in living standards between the two regions.

The total population in Israel was estimated at 10.0 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Israel Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Israel's population is aging steadily, with the median age projected to rise from 29 years in 2020 to 32 years by 2050. This demographic shift reflects global trends of increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates, though Israel maintained a relatively young population compared to many developed nations. The country's unique religious and cultural makeup contributed to regional variations in age distribution, presenting both opportunities and challenges for policymakers. Which region has the oldest population? As of 2023, over a quarter of Israelis were under the age of 14 years. The largest age group in the country being four-year olds and below. Interestingly, significant regional differences existed within the country when it came to age distribution and aging. While the median age in the Jerusalem district was below 24, Tel Aviv was the oldest region with an average age of over 34 years, highlighting significant demographic variations across different areas. How does religion influence demographics? Religious affiliation played a role in Israel's age structure and demographics. Muslims are the youngest religious group with a median age of 24 years, while Christians of Arab ethnicity are the oldest, at 35 years. Jews, the largest religious-ethnic group, had a median age of almost 32 years, but within the Jewish demographic, age and fertility varied greatly between people based on religiosity. These differences play a significant role in the country's population and future growth patterns.

Historical dataset showing Israel population density by year from 1961 to 2021.

In 2024, the number of Jewish immigrants that entered Israel, and naturalized under the Law of Return, reached just over 29,000 people. This figure was down from the previous year, with about 42,700 new migrants. Jewish immigration into Israel increased significantly in 2022 due to the influx of Russian and Ukrainian citizens escaping war following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This event is reminiscent of a major wave of Jewish immigration between the early 1990s and early 2000s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In 2022, the average number of people per household in the city of Bnei Brak in Israel was 4.37. This city topped the list of people per household among large cities in Israel (200,000 or more people). In comparison, the national average number of people per household was 3.19, which put Bnei Brak, a city with a predominantly Orthodox Jewish population. The city of Tel Aviv-Yafo ends the list with an average of 2.21 persons per household.

Israel IL: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.928 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.960 % for 2016. Israel IL: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.285 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.017 % in 1991 and a record low of 1.307 % in 1984. Israel IL: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

As of 2024, the population of Israel reached about 9.8 million permanent residents in total. About 7.7 million were registered as Jews or other non-Arab populations. Furthermore, some 2.1 million Arabs lived in the country.

Historical dataset showing Israel population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) in Israel was reported at 6.3384 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Israel - Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Key information about Israel population

• The Israel population reached 10.0 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 9.9 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 10.0 million people in Dec 2024 and a record low of 1.2 million people in Dec 1949

The Central Bureau of Statistics provides year-end Population. Population excludes foreign workers.


Further information about Israel population data

• In the latest reports, Israel Unemployment Rate dropped to 2.6 % in Dec 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Israel population was 3,658.4 USD in Oct 2024
• Israel Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 62.8 % in Dec 2024

Time series data for the statistic Population and country Israel. Indicator Definition:Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.The statistic "Population" stands at 9,974,400.00 persons as of 12/31/2024, the highest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 1.27 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 1.27.The 3 year change in percent is 6.43.The 5 year change in percent is 10.17.The 10 year change in percent is 21.41.The Serie's long term average value is 5,467,857.23 persons. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 82.42 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/1960, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +371.82%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2024, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 0.0%.

The average life expectancy of Jewish women in Israel in 2022 was 85.1 years, the highest among all groups. This was followed by Muslim women with a life expectancy of 81.8 years, and Jewish men at 81.5 years of age. Muslim men had the lowest life expectancy of 77 years. Over the period observed, the life expectancy of both Jewish and Muslim populations increased, with women consistently living longer their male counterparts.

Israel Population: 2022 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Jews and Others: ow Jews data was reported at 7,249.800 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,243.900 Person th for Feb 2025. Israel Population: 2022 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Jews and Others: ow Jews data is updated monthly, averaging 7,162.900 Person th from Jan 2023 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,249.800 Person th in Mar 2025 and a record low of 7,060.400 Person th in Jan 2023. Israel Population: 2022 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Jews and Others: ow Jews data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.G001: Population.

Israel Population: 2008 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Arabs data was reported at 1,871.600 Person th in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,868.000 Person th for Sep 2018. Israel Population: 2008 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Arabs data is updated monthly, averaging 1,681.750 Person th from Jan 2009 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 118 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,871.600 Person th in Oct 2018 and a record low of 1,502.600 Person th in Jan 2009. Israel Population: 2008 Census: excl Foreign Workers: End Period: Arabs data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.G001: Population.

Key information about State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) population

• The State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) population reached 5.9 million people in Jun 2026, compared with the previously reported figure of 5.7 million people in Jun 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.9 million people in Jun 2026 and a record low of 0.9 million people in Jun 1951

CEIC extends history for annual Population. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics provides Mid-year Population. Population prior to 1997 is sourced from the International Monetary Fund. Population is in annual frequency, ending in June of each year

Israel IL: Population: Male: Ages 25-29: % of Male Population data was reported at 6.965 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.044 % for 2016. Israel IL: Population: Male: Ages 25-29: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.489 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.637 % in 1979 and a record low of 5.952 % in 1968. Israel IL: Population: Male: Ages 25-29: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 25 to 29 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Israel IL: Population: Total data was reported at 8,712,400.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,546,000.000 Person for 2016. Israel IL: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 4,480,000.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,712,400.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 2,114,020.000 Person in 1960. Israel IL: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Israel IL: Population: Female: Ages 55-59: % of Female Population data was reported at 4.525 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.568 % for 2016. Israel IL: Population: Female: Ages 55-59: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 4.199 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.385 % in 2009 and a record low of 3.496 % in 1998. Israel IL: Population: Female: Ages 55-59: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 55 to 59 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Jerusalem, Israel metro area from 1950 to 2025.