The two countries with the greatest shares of the world's Jewish population are the United States and Israel. The United States had been a hub of Jewish immigration since the nineteenth century, as Jewish people sought to escape persecution in Europe by emigrating across the Atlantic. The Jewish population in the U.S. is largely congregated in major urban areas, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with the New York metropolitan area being the city with the second largest Jewish population worldwide, after Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel is the world's only officially Jewish state, having been founded in 1948 following the first Arab-Israeli War. While Jews had been emigrating to the holy lands since the nineteenth century, when they were controlled by the Ottoman Empire, immigration increased rapidly following the establishment of the state of Israel. Jewish communities in Eastern Europe who had survived the Holocaust saw Israel as a haven from persecution, while the state encouraged immigration from Jewish communities in other regions, notably the Middle East & North Africa. Smaller Jewish communities remain in Europe in countries such as France, the UK, and Germany, and in other countries which were hotspots for Jewish migration in the twentieth century, such as Canada and Argentina.

Population counts for people who identified as Jewish in England and Wales, Census 2021.

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.

Census 2021 data on religion by economic activity status, by sex, by age, and religion by occupation, by sex, by age, England and Wales combined. This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by ethnic group. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.

The religion people connect or identify with (their religious affiliation), whether or not they practise or have belief in it.
This question was voluntary and the variable includes people who answered the question, including “No religion”, alongside those who chose not to answer this question.

Total counts for some population groups may not match between published tables. This is to protect the confidentiality of individuals' data. Population counts have been rounded to the nearest 5 and any counts below 10 are suppressed, this is signified by a 'c' in the data tables.

This dataset shows population counts for usual residents aged between 16 to 64 years old only. This is to focus on religious affiliation differences among the working age. Population counts in these tables may be different from other publications which use different age breakdowns.

Quality notes can be found here

Quality information about Labour Market can be found here

The Standard Occupation Classification 2020 code used can be found here

Religion

The 8 ‘tickbox’ religious groups are as follows:

• Buddhist
• Christian
• Hindu
• Jewish
• Muslim
• No religion
• Sikh
• Other religion

Table showing the numbers and percentage of resident population (all ages) broken down into six faiths, plus no religion and any other religion. Data is taken from the Annual Population Survey (ONS). The data covers: Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, any other religion and no religion at all. 95% Confidence Intervals are shown.

BackgroundPerinatal and paediatric autopsy rates are at historically low levels with declining uptake due to dislike of the invasiveness of the procedure, and religious objections particularly amongst Muslim and Jewish parents. Less invasive methods of autopsy including imaging with and without tissue sampling have been shown to be feasible alternatives. We sought to investigate attitudes including religious permissibility and potential uptake amongst members of the Muslim and Jewish communities in the United Kingdom.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with religious and faith-based authorities (n = 16) and bereaved parents from the Jewish community (n = 3) as well as 10 focus groups with community members (60 Muslim participants and 16 Jewish participants) were conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.FindingsMuslim and Jewish religious and faith-based authorities agreed that non-invasive autopsy with imaging was religiously permissible because it did not require incisions or interference with the body. A minimally invasive approach was less acceptable as it still required incisions to the body, although in those circumstances where it was required by law it was more acceptable than a full autopsy. During focus group discussions with community members, the majority of participants indicated they would potentially consent to a non-invasive autopsy if the body could be returned for burial within 24 hours, or if a family had experienced multiple fetal/pregnancy losses and the information gained might be useful in future pregnancies. Minimally invasive autopsy was less acceptable but around half of participants might consent if a non-invasive autopsy was not suitable, with the exception of the Jewish Haredi community who unanimously stated they would decline this alternative.ConclusionsOur research suggests less invasive autopsy offers a viable alternative to many Muslim and Jewish parents in the UK who currently decline a full autopsy. The findings may be of importance to other countries with significant Muslim and/or Jewish communities as well as to other religious communities where concerns around autopsy exist. Awareness-raising amongst religious leaders and community members will be important if these methods become routinely available.

Recommendations for improving uptake of less invasive autopsy (LIA) within the Muslim and Jewish community.

Religious and faith-based authority participants.

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Kosher Foods Market Size 2025-2029

The kosher foods market size is valued to increase by USD 16.5 billion, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2029. Rise in Jewish and Muslim population will drive the kosher foods market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for a 39% growth during the forecast period.
By Product - Kosher pareve segment was valued at USD 13.80 billion in 2023
By Distribution Channel - Supermarkets and hypermarkets segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 74.84 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 16.50 billion
CAGR from 2024 to 2029: 7.2%

Market Summary

The market, fueled by the increasing global population adhering to kosher dietary laws, has experienced significant growth. According to market research, the value of the global kosher food industry surpassed USD 23 billion in 2020. This expansion is driven not only by the Jewish community but also by the growing popularity of private label kosher food brands. The market's evolution is marked by intense competition, particularly from the halal foods sector. Both industries cater to specific dietary requirements, creating a unique dynamic in the food industry. As consumer preferences shift towards healthier and ethically sourced food options, kosher food manufacturers are adapting by offering organic and gluten-free products.
Moreover, advancements in technology have streamlined production processes, ensuring stricter adherence to kosher certification standards. This commitment to quality and transparency is crucial for maintaining consumer trust and loyalty. The market continues to innovate, with new product launches and collaborations shaping its future direction. In conclusion, the market's growth is underpinned by demographic trends, consumer preferences, and technological advancements. With a global value of over USD 23 billion in 2020, this sector is poised for continued expansion and evolution.

What will be the Size of the Kosher Foods Market during the forecast period?

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How is the Kosher Foods Market Segmented?

The kosher foods industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Kosher pareve
  Kosher meat
  Kosher dairy


Distribution Channel

  Supermarkets and hypermarkets
  Grocery stores
  Online stores


End-user

  Household consumers
  Food service industry
  Food processing industry


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    Egypt
    KSA
    Oman
    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Argentina
    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The kosher pareve segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market continues to evolve, with a significant focus on consumer acceptance testing and adherence to religious dietary laws. Pareve foods, which are neither meat nor dairy, account for a substantial portion of this market. Products such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, tofu, and plant proteins undergo rigorous checks to ensure they meet kosher standards. These include packaging material approval, heavy metal detection, and sensory evaluation. The manufacturing process undergoes validation, with energy consumption metrics and inventory management playing crucial roles. Food safety regulations mandate temperature monitoring, microbiological testing, and pest control methods. The supply chain is meticulously managed, with distribution logistics, order fulfillment, and retail shelf placement all factored in.

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The Kosher pareve segment was valued at USD 13.80 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Kosher certification involves a production facility audit, chemical analysis, and ingredient traceability. Quality control systems oversee product formulation, labeling requirements, nutritional labeling, and packaging integrity. Compliance with dietary laws and shelf life testing are essential, as is adherence to Waste Management practices and ingredient sourcing with specifications. A recent study revealed that 85% of consumers prefer kosher-certified products, highlighting the market's importance.

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Regional Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 39% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

See How Kosher Foods Mark

There were ***** Anti-Semitic incidents reported to the Community Security Trust in the United Kingdom in 2024, compared with ***** in 2023. There has been a clear and noticeable increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents reported in the UK since 2013 when just *** incidents were reported.

Approximately ****** prisoners in England and Wales identified as being Christian in 2024, the most of any religious faith among prisoners. A further ****** identified as having no religion, while ****** identified as Muslims.

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