Tel Aviv University Study: 99,000 Israelis Departed in Two Years

A new analysis indicates that Israeli emigration has reached a historic high, with nearly 100,000 citizens departing the country over the last 24 months. The data suggests a sustained outflow that researchers attribute to prolonged conflict and political instability. This trend raises questions about the long-term demographic and economic stability of the nation.

Itai Ater, a professor at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, led the study. He stated that the period since 2023 has been marked by war, economic doubt, and a prime minister facing ongoing corruption trials. Ater noted that many residents are questioning whether they want to raise children in such an environment. He expressed sympathy for those who decide to leave.

The research, published in February, utilized data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. It counted individuals who remained outside Israel for at least three consecutive months and spent more than 270 days abroad during their first year away. The study found that 50,000 Israelis left in 2023 and 49,000 in 2024. Ater said preliminary figures indicate this pattern continued into 2025.

The surge in departures coincides with major geopolitical shifts. In 2023, a Hamas attack killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Although a fragile ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israeli forces still control about 60 percent of the enclave and maintain regular military activity there.

Political uncertainty adds to the pressure on residents to decide their future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to retain power after serving as the country's longest-serving leader. Polls suggest his far-right bloc may not secure the 61 Knesset seats required for a majority. A rival group led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party is also expected to fall short of a governing majority. This leaves the formation of a coalition as the likely path forward, a process in which Netanyahu has extensive experience.

Ater warned that without a political change, emigration numbers could rise sharply. He predicted that these figures will increase dramatically if the current trajectory continues. Avigail Ben-Porat, a 50-year-old single mother living in Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border, said she wants to leave but lacks the financial resources. She reported hearing rocket fire regularly and noted that many friends have relocated to Portugal, Canada, Thailand, and India.

The study identified a specific shift in the types of citizens leaving. There was a sharp rise in the departure of doctors, Ph.D. holders, and engineers during 2023 and 2024. The data showed a net loss of 2,360 engineers and 509 doctors. Ater described this as a loss of human capital, which is essential for Israel's tech industry, academia, and healthcare sector.

Business leaders are also observing the trend. Liam Schwartz, who heads the corporate immigration department at the Tel Aviv law firm Goldfarb, Gross, Seligman, said some companies face pressure from non-Israeli investors. These stakeholders are concerned about the viability of operating from Israel. As a result, firms are more willing to move 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. He said these investors feel the government is not meeting its part of the social contract.

Schwartz described the upcoming October vote as a potential turning point for emigration rates. Ater characterized the situation as a strategic risk to Israel's status as a democracy and a liberal country. He said the situation is a concern not only for the Middle East but for the wider world as well.