Over 20,000 olim made Aliyah to Israel from 100 countries in past year, data shows
Russia topped the list of countries sending new immigrants to Israel, followed by France and the US, as more than 20,000 olim arrived during the Jewish year 5786.
In the past year, over 20,000 new immigrants, known as olim, arrived in Israel from more than 100 countries worldwide, according to a report published by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency. Russia led the influx with 5,685 olim, followed by France with 4,364, the United States with 3,333, and the United Kingdom with 975.
Other notable countries included Ukraine with 797, Belarus with 491, Canada with 440, Australia with 247, Argentina with 243, Georgia with 241, South Africa with 210, Germany with 210, and Brazil with 200.
Among the olim, 35% were young people aged 18 to 35, indicating a significant growth in Israeli society and the economy. These young immigrants were predominantly physicians and professionals in high-demand fields. Additionally, 24% of the olim were children and youth up to age 17, who have now been integrated into the Israeli education system. The age distribution showed that 18% were aged 36-50, 9% were 51-60, 5% were 61-65, 10% were 66 or older, and 10% were younger than 18.
Geographically, about 31% of the olim settled in communities north of Hadera or south of Ashdod. Hadera northward received 3,862 olim, while Ashdod southward welcomed 2,247. Tel Aviv attracted the largest number of new olim, with 2,762 newcomers, followed by Netanya with 2,224, Jerusalem with 2,134, Haifa with 1,504, Ra anana with 1,042, Bat Yam with 957, Ashdod with 846, Beit Shemesh with 680, Ashkelon with 534, and Rishon LeZion with 450. Nahariya, the northernmost city, absorbed 307 olim, while Eilat, the southernmost, welcomed 132.
The Aliyah and Integration Ministry and The Jewish Agency emphasized the deep and enduring connection between world Jewry and the State of Israel despite a challenging security situation, stating, "Even in a year marked by a challenging security situation, thousands of Jews from every corner of the globe chose to make Aliyah to Israel, build their homes there, and raise their children there - a choice that reflects the deep and enduring connection between world Jewry and the State of Israel."
Maj.-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency, noted that the aliyah numbers reflect the essence of Zionism: "Aliyah is the strongest response to every challenge we face; it serves as a growth engine that contributes to strengthening the State of Israel." Aliyah and Integration Minister, Ofir Sofer, highlighted the impact of each newcomer, stating, "Every Oleh who arrives strengthens society, the economy, and the resilience of the country, and Aliyah is a central component of its future."
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
