Israeli Report Reveals Soaring Emigration and Record Security Spending

Ekhbary News Agency | 2024-05-15

A "State of the Nation 2026" report, released Tuesday by Israel's Taub Center for Social Policy Studies, unveils concerning trends in both emigration and security expenditure. The report, drawing on updated data and research from the past year, meticulously details the substantial economic and social costs borne by Israel, which has been embroiled in conflict for a third consecutive year, according to the Maariv newspaper.

Rising Emigration and Escalating War Costs

The study highlights that significant war-related expenses in recent years have propelled security spending to approximately 9% of the Gross Domestic Product, marking the highest proportion recorded in the last three decades. These figures, for what it's worth, underscore profound structural challenges confronting Israeli society and its economy amidst ongoing conflicts.

Data indicates a continuous upward trajectory in the emigration of Israeli-born citizens, encompassing both Jewish and non-Jewish populations, since 2022. Migration rates over the past three years have surpassed any recorded during the preceding decade. Conversely, the same period saw a notable decline in the number of Israelis returning to the country compared to the previous decade. Furthermore, a dramatic increase in the emigration of foreign-born Jews and non-Jews was observed when benchmarked against the 2014-2022 average.

Declining Immigration and Negative Migration Balance

The number of incoming immigrants in 2025 registered its lowest point since 2014, excluding 2020 when severe movement restrictions were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This figure had previously seen a sharp surge in 2022 and 2023 following the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. These converging trends in inbound and outbound migration reveal that Israel has experienced a negative migration balance for two consecutive years, prompting serious questions about its demographic future.