Ahead of Jewish new year, Israel’s population at 8.9 million, largely content
Central Bureau of Statistics data shows 89% of Israelis satisfied with their lives, more than half exercise regularly, and life expectancy still one of highest in the world
Michael Bachner is a news editor at The Times of Israel
On the eve of the new Jewish year, Israel’s population has reached 8.907 million — 162,000 more than a year ago, according to data published Tuesday by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
In a press release including data on wide-ranging topics, the bureau summarized the Jewish year of 5778 in numbers, highlighting the fact that 89 percent of Israelis say they are largely satisfied in life.
Ahead of the Rosh Hashanah holiday next week, Israel’s Jewish population numbers 6.625 million people — 74.4% of the country’s population. Some 1.864 million, or 20.9%, are Arab, and the remaining 418,000 are other minorities.
The country’s population is expected to reach 10 million in late 2024, according to the data.
Some 44.3% of Israelis define themselves as secular, while 21.4% are traditional, 12.3% are traditional with religious leanings, 11.5% are religious and 10.2% are ultra-Orthodox.
While almost 90% said they were satisfied with their lives as a whole, 37% said they weren’t happy with their financial situation, and 31% said they were struggling to cover their monthly expenses. The vast majority, 84%, said they were in good or very good health. Fifty-one percent said they exercise regularly.
Israel’s fertility rate, at an average of 3.11 children born per woman, continued to be the highest among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). About 175,000 babies were born and 43,000 people died during the past year, with 25,000 people making aliyah.
According to the data, 52,809 couples were married in the past year, while 14,819 couples divorced.
The average life expectancy in Israel — one of the highest in the world — is 84.6 years for women and 80.7 for men.
