Study confirms 99,000 Israelis exited country in two-year record

Itai Ater, a professor at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, reports that 99,000 Israelis left the country between January 2023 and December 2024.

This figure represents the highest number of departures recorded in any two-year period. The study, published in February, analyzed data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. It counts individuals who resided outside Israel for at least three consecutive months and spent more than 270 days abroad during their first year away. Approximately 50,000 citizens departed in 2023, while 49,000 left in 2024. Ater stated that preliminary data indicates this pattern persisted through 2025.

The period coincided with major political and military shifts. The Hamas attack on southern Israel in 2023 killed roughly 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip in response. A ceasefire took effect in October 2025, though Israeli forces still control about 60 percent of the enclave and maintain regular military operations there. These events have contributed to economic uncertainty and a prolonged political crisis, including the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The upcoming national election adds another layer of uncertainty for residents considering emigration. Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader, is seeking to retain power. Current polls suggest his far-right coalition will not secure the 61 Knesset seats required to form a government. A rival bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party is expected to win the most seats but also fall short of a majority. Since coalitions are typically necessary to govern, the period after the vote often involves complex negotiations, a process in which Netanyahu has historically excelled.

Ater warned that the lack of a decisive change in government could cause emigration figures to rise sharply. He described the situation as a strategic risk to Israel's status as a democracy and a liberal state. His concern extends to the Middle East and the wider world. He noted that many Israelis are questioning whether they want to raise their children in such a turbulent environment.

The demographic profile of those leaving has shifted. The study identifies a sharp increase in the departure of highly skilled workers, including doctors, Ph.D. holders, and engineers. Net departures included 2,360 engineers and 509 doctors in the recorded period. Ater emphasized that Israel's economy relies heavily on this human capital, particularly in the technology, academic, and healthcare sectors.

Corporate decisions are also reflecting this uncertainty. Liam Schwartz, head of corporate immigration at the Tel Aviv law firm Goldfarb, Gross, Seligman, said some firms are facing pressure from non-Israeli shareholders and investors. These stakeholders worry about the viability of operating from Israel. Consequently, companies are increasingly willing to relocate parts of their workforce to North America or Europe. Schwartz traced this discontent to January 2023, when the government proposed judicial reforms that would have reduced the powers of the Supreme Court.

Avigail Ben-Porat, a 50-year-old single mother living in Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border, represents a segment of the population that wants to leave but lacks the financial means. She still hears rocket fire regularly and notes that many of her friends have moved to destinations including Portugal, Canada, Thailand, and India. Schwartz called the October vote a potential watershed for whether emigration continues to rise.

The next national election is scheduled for next week. The outcome will determine whether the current political structure continues or changes, a factor that economists say will directly influence future departure rates.