On its 69th Independence Day, Israel can be proud of its booming population and thriving country.
Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics released its traditional statistics report on the citizens of Israel in honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, which is celebrated this year on Monday night and Tuesday.
Israel boasts 8,680,000 citizens, more than 10 times as many as the 806,000 at the time of the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948.
The Jewish population stands at 6,484,000 million, 75 percent of the entire population. Israel’s Arab citizens constitute 20.8 percent of the total population, numbering approximately 1,808,000. Non-Arab Christians and other religious groups constitute 4.5 percent of the population.
Since last year’s Independence Day, Israel’s population grew by 159,000, constituting a 1.9 percent growth, including 174,000 newborn babies; 44,000 people have died.
Israel welcomed 30,000 new immigrants. Some 3.5 million people have made Aliyah (immigration to Israel) since 1948, making up 42 percent of the total population.
At the conclusion of 2015, 75% of the population were Israeli-born – known as “sabras” – half of them second-generation. In 1948, only 35% were sabras, and their numbers have since more than doubled.
At the time of the establishment of the State of Israel, only one city had more than 100,000 residents – Tel Aviv-Yaffo. Today, 14 cities have over 100,000 residents; eight of them have more than 200,000. They are Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Haifa, Rishon Letzion, Petah Tikvah, Ashdod, Netanyah, and Beer Sheva.
Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, is the most-populated city, with some 865,700 residents – almost 10 percent of the population.
According to CBS estimates, by 2048 – Israel’s 100th birthday, Israel’s population is expected to grow to some 15 million citizens.
Close to half of the world’s Jewish population, 43 percent of 14.3 million Jews, live in Israel.
Israel boasts 63 academic institutions, as opposed to only two in 1948.
Close to 90 percent of Israel’s citizens have stated that they are pleased with their lives, while 60 percent stated they are happy with their financial state, and 52 percent expressed optimism that their lives will improve in the future.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel