Story perspectives

Israel Records Highest Exodus, Losing 950 Doctors

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israel recorded 268,509 citizens leaving for at least three months between 2023-2025, the highest level since 2013-2015.
The Tel Aviv University study led by Prof. Itai Ater found a loss of 950 doctors and 2,360 engineers in 2023-2024, indicating a brain drain.
Departures rose nearly 50% from 183,219 in 2013-2015, creating Israel’s first negative migration balance in decades and prompting a projection of 45,000-50,000 migrants for 2025, raising security concerns.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s demographic balance has swung between massive aliyah—over 680,000 Jews arrived from 1948-1951—and periods of yerida, the first net-negative migration recorded in 1995. The 1995 outflow spurred the Jewish Agency and other bodies to launch retention programs, a pattern echoed by the 2023-2025 brain-drain of doctors and engineers highlighting ongoing security and economic concerns.

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Story summary

Israel recorded 268,509 citizens leaving for at least three months between 2023-2025, the highest level since 2013-2015.
The Tel Aviv University study led by Prof. Itai Ater found a loss of 950 doctors and 2,360 engineers in 2023-2024, indicating a brain drain.
Departures rose nearly 50% from 183,219 in 2013-2015, creating Israel’s first negative migration balance in decades and prompting a projection of 45,000-50,000 migrants for 2025, raising security concerns.

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