From the beginning of this new year, polls have been published by the Central Bureau of
Statistics and by research institutes concerning the demographic, sociological and spiritual trends
taking place amongst the Jewish people; and concerning the composition of the population of the
State of Israel – including the trends, changes and developments that are taking place in all spheres
of Israeli society.
On the basis of these polls and studies and the information we receive throughout the year, we
hereby present the main findings which can be of assistance in appreciating the map of the Jewish
people worldwide.
World Organization of Orthodox
Synagogues and Communities
The Composition of the Population of the State of Israel
On the eve of Rosh Hashana 5771 (September 2010) the total population of the
State of Israel was 7,645,501 (over 7 million, 645 thousand), composed as
follows: Jews: approximately 5,770,900; Arabs: approximately 1,559,100;
Others (including non-Arab Christians and unclassified): approx. 315,000.
Aliya
In 2009, 14,572 olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel, including: 3,245 from Russia; 2,474
from the U.S.A.; 1,602 from the Ukraine; 1,558 from France and 708 from Great
Britain.
Born in Israel
71.7% of all the Jews in the State of Israel were born in Israel, including
161,042 children who were born in 2009.
Note: this information originates with the Central Bureau of Statistics in
Israel.
The Jews of the Diaspora (in the large communities):
In the U.S.A.: 5.3 million. In France: 485,000. In Canada: 375,000. In Great Britain:
292,000. In the Russian Republic: 205,000. In Argentina: 182,000. In Germany:
119,000.
According to this data, 43% of World Jewry live today in the State of Israel.
Note: these findings are based on studies conducted by the demographer Prof. Sergio Della Pergola
of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
2
Self-definitions of those responding to the study carried out by
the Central Bureau of Statistics
8% Ultra-orthodox. 12% Religious. 13% Traditional/Religious. 25%
Traditional (not so religious). 42% Secular.
Observance of Jewish Tradition
25% Very observant. 38% Quite observant. 31% somewhat observant. 6% not observant at all.
21% report that they are more observant today than in the past. 14% report that they are less
observant today than in the past.
Observance of Jewish Tradition in the Secular community
24% of all secularists attended synagogue on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur last
year.
82% of the secularists always take part in the Passover Seder.
67% always light Hanukka candles.
29% always light Shabbat candles.
26% always fast on Yom Kippur.
22% strictly observe eating Kosher for Passover food on Passover.
10% strictly observe eating Kosher food.
Note: 86% of all the secularists who took part in the study testify that they observe tradition to some degree.
Participation in Synagogue Prayer Services
72% of all Jews (aged 20 and over) attended synagogue during the past year.
23% of the men visit the synagogue every day.
25% take part in the prayer services in synagogues only on Shabbat and Holidays.
11% go to synagogue only on Rosh Hashana and/or on Yom Kippur.
16% go to synagogue only on special occasions, such as celebrations or memorial
services.
24% do not attend synagogue at all.
Synagogues and Communities in Israel
In the State of Israel there are about 10,000 Orthodox synagogues where
about a million and a half persons (ultra-orthodox, religious and
traditional) worship, and about 55 Conservative synagogues and 25 Reform
synagogues.
In about 800 traditional-religious synagogues in Israel some community activity takes place at
various levels.
Note: the number of young secular men putting on tefillin (phylacteries) in synagogue is gradually growing
smaller.
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