The population of Israel is about 9.246 million, and it grew by some 150,000 people, or 1.6%, this year, according to a report published on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
Some 170,000 babies were born, 44,000 people passed away, and 25,000 people moved to Israel, including 20,000 new immigrants.
Israel’s population is expected to reach 10 million by 2024, 15 million by 2048 and 20 million by 2065, the report said.
The Jewish population is estimated at 6.841 million, or 74% of the citizens. The Arab population is 1.946 million (21%), and 459,000 (5%) were classified as belonging to other groups.
On Thursday, a group of 28 olim arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport, one day before Israel goes into a three-week nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis.
The majority of the immigrants were part of a Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah flight from New York, with some from Toronto. Four families were part of the group.
The group’s aliyah was coordinated with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund. Immigration to Israel increased 150% over the past few months, Nefesh B’Nefesh said.
“In these times of global uncertainty, we never cease to be amazed and stand in awe of the resilience of the olim who are continuing to make aliyah despite all the challenges of COVID,” Nefesh B’Nefesh co-founder and executive director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass said.
“Their yearning to return home and actualization of their dreams underscores the visceral connection between the Jewish people and our eternal homeland,” he said. “Nefesh B’Nefesh, together with our partners, will continue to offer holistic support to all our olim as we pray for a healthy and meaningful year ahead.”
The youngest member of the group is seven, and the oldest is 94. The olim are expected to live in Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Kibbutz Nir Eliyahu.
They will observe a 14-day quarantine in accordance with Health Ministry regulations.
According to Nefesh B’Nefesh, some 2,443 Jewish immigrants have come to Israel between September 2019 and September 2020. Some 539 families and 544 children have immigrated during that time.
Jerusalem remains the most popular destination of the olim, with Tel Aviv coming in second.