Just before Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics released its annual snapshot of the country, revealing striking data on migration, births, and population growth. Israel’s population is estimated at around 10.305 million people on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5787. Since last Rosh Hashanah, the population grew by roughly 124,000 people—a 1.2% increase.
During that period, about 21,000 Israelis who had previously emigrated abroad returned home. At the same time, some 24,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel, along with another 4,000 people through family reunification programs.
But the number that really stands out is in the delivery rooms: since last Rosh Hashanah, around 182,000 babies were born in Israel, while about 50,000 people died. The high birth rate is one of the main reasons the country’s population keeps growing despite everything. Compared to the Western world, the gap is even more striking. Israel’s fertility rate stands at 2.88 children per woman on average, versus just 1.41 in OECD countries—more than double. In 2025, 183,678 babies were born in Israel.
From the delivery room to the wallet: the housing market showed a mixed picture. The home price index fell 1%, and new home prices dropped 2.8%, but rents actually rose 4.3%. The average home price in Israel stood at around ₪2.33 million, and average monthly rent reached about ₪4,919.
And how are Israelis feeling? Surprisingly, 92.2% of people aged 20 and over are satisfied with their lives, and 70.2% are satisfied with their economic situation. But behind the optimism lies a more complex reality: about 1.5 million people—23.4% of the public—struggle to cover all their household’s monthly expenses. Some 6.8% even skipped meals due to financial hardship, and 24% of those needing dental care went without it.