Israel´s population grew by 161,000 people since last year´s Independence Day, approaches 8 million mark

Israel´s population numbered 7,881,000 people on the eve of its 64th anniversary, data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics indicate. In comparison, on the eve of its establishment, the State of Israel consisted of only 806,000 residents.

New data published by the CBS, indicate that nearly 5,931,000 of the population are Jewish (75.3%).

The Arab population stands at 1,623,000 (20.6%) and the remaining 4.1% are immigrants and their children, who are not listed as Jewish by the Interior Ministry. They comprise 327,000 residents.

Since last year´s Independence Day, 161,000 babies have been born in Israel, and 39,000 people have died. Approximately 19,000 immigrants arrived in the country, while nearly 8,000 chose to leave Israel. Another 4,500 people joined the general population as a result of family reunifications. In total, Israel´s population grew by 137, 500 – a 1.8% increase.

The data also suggest that more than 70% of the Jewish population are native-born Israelis, and more than half of them are at least second generation Israelis. In contrast, only 35% of the population were native-born in 1948. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/24/12)