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Last update: January, 21 2021

Israel

flag of Israel
Government
NameIsrael
Hebrewיִשְׂרָאֵל‎
Arabicإسرائيل
Government typeParliamentary democracy
CapitalJerusalem (919,438 (2018))
CurrencyIsraeli new shekel (ILS)
People
Population (2020)8,655,541 (99th)
Density of population417 P/km2 (35th)
NationalityIsraeli
Official languages
Hebrew (official)
Arabic (special status under Israeli law)
Ethnic groups (2018)
Jewish74.4%
of which:
Israel-born76.9%
Europe/America/Oceania-born15.9%
Africa-born4.6%
Asia-born2.6%
Arab20.9%
Other4.7%
Religions (2018)
Jewish74.3%
Muslim17.8%
Christian1.9%
Druze1.6%
Other4.4%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male81.1 years
Female85 years
Total population83 years (10th)
Homicides
Total (2017)1.5 per 100,000 people (119th)
Geography
Land area21,497 km2
water area440 km2
total area21,937 km2 (153th)
Mean elevation (does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights)508 m
Lowest point
Dead Sea431 m
Highest point
Unnamed dome (west of Mitspe Shlagim)2,236 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land23.8%
Arable land13.7%
Permanent crops3.8%
Permanent pasture6.3%
Forest7.1%
Other69.1%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)92.6%
Rate of urbanization1.64% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)4.021 million  (93rd)
Labor force by occupation (2015)
Agriculture1.1%
Industry17.3%
Services 81.6%
Unemployment rate (2017)4.2% (55th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2020)
Total$372.314 billion (51st)
Per capita$40,336(34th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2020)
Total$410.501 billion (31st)
Per capita$44,474 (19th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture2.4%
Industry26.5%
Services69.5%
Exports (2017)$58.67 billion (48th)
Exports partners (2017)
US28.8%
UK8.2%
Hong Kong7%
China5.4%
Belgium4.5%
Imports (2017)$68.61 billion (46th)
Imports partners (2017)
US11.7%
China9.5%
Switzerland8%
Germany6.8%
UK6.2%
Belgium5.9%
Netherlands4.2%
Turkey4.2%
Italy4%

Israel on the world map

Israel on the world map

Israel is located in Asia and more specifically in the Middle East.

Israel top 10 largest cities (2018)

  1. Jerusalem (919,438)
  2. Tel Aviv (451,523)
  3. Haifa (283,640)
  4. Rishon LeZion (251,719)
  5. Petah Tikva (244,275)
  6. Ashdod (224,628)
  7. Netanya (217,244)
  8. Beersheba (209,002)
  9. Bnei Brak (198,863)
  10. Holon (194,273)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Israel (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365)
  • 15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721)
  • 25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399)
  • 55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709)
  • 65 years and over: 11.96% (male 467,980/female 569,816)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.

Economy

Agriculture:

citrus, vegetables, cotton, beef, poultry, dairy products

Industries:

high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear

Exports – commodities:

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Imports – commodities:

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Time zone and current time in Israel

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Israel

Sources: