Latest Population Figures Show Israel Gaining in Percentage of World Jewish Population

The trend towards larger Jewish families in Israel, as compared to the birth rate among Jews in the Diaspora, is seen as a continuing  pattern in the latest population figures, according to demographer Sergio DellaPergola, the Shlomo Argov Professor of Israel-Diaspora Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released figures showing that the total population of Israel, on the eve of the Jewish new year of 5771, stood at 7,645,000, 75.5% of whom are Jews. 
In Israel, the Jewish birthrate averages just under three children (2.90) per family, the highest in many years. This stands in comparison to an average of under two children per Jewish family in other developed countries, noted Prof. DellaPergola..

This differential is due to more than one factor, DellaPergola explained. One is the very high birthrate among Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) families. Another is an overall feeling of well-being among the general population. The relatively stable economic situation in Israel as compared to the financial crises of the last few years elsewhere also has been a contributing factor, he said.
 
Another element is an upswing in immigration to Israel. “Although the number of immigrants is relatively low compared to earlier years in the 62-year history of the state,” said DellaPergola, “it is still higher than in the previous year and shows the influence of the problematic economic situation in the world and the uncomfortable feeling due to trends towards anti-Semitism and anti-Israel feelings.”

As opposed to the increases in Israel, the trend of a declining Jewish population continues elsewhere, noted DellaPergola, due to such factors as intermarriage and   a rapidly aging population with its attendant rise in the number of deaths over births.

“While the Jewish population in Israel grew by 1.7% in the past year, the Jewish population in the Diaspora declined by 0.2%,” said DellaPergola. The net result is a steady gain in the percentage of Jewry residing in Israel, currently standing at 43% of the total world Jewish population.

After Israel, the country with the largest Jewish population is the United States, according to DellaPergola, with 5.3 million Jews, though this number is subject as to how one defines who is a Jew. Other Jewish population figures, he said, are: France, 485,000; Canada. 375,000; Britain, 292.000; Russia. 205,000; Argentina, 182,000; Germany. 119,000; Australia, 108,000; and Brazil, 96,000.