In Israel, the number of citizens returning from abroad fell by 58%
In Israel, the number of citizens who returned to the country after living abroad decreased by 58% in 2025 compared with 2009. The Parliamentary Research and Information Center presented the data at a meeting of the Knesset Committee on Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, Anadolu Agency reports.
According to the center, 4,483 citizens returned to Israel in 2025, compared with 10,903 in 2009. Between 2005 and 2024, approximately 141,000 Israelis returned after living abroad, or about 7,000 annually. The meeting also cited an estimate that around 1 million Israelis currently live outside the country.
Where citizens returned from
The largest share of returnees, 45%, arrived from the United States. They were followed by the United Kingdom with 6%, Canada with 5%, and France with 4%. Germany, russia, Romania, and Ukraine each accounted for 3% of returnees, while Australia, Italy, and Moldova each accounted for 2%.
More than a quarter of returning citizens were minors. Another 47% were people aged 28 to 60. About 70% had lived abroad for at least five years before returning.
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Criticism of the government and doctors leaving
Committee chair Gilad Kariv accused the Israeli government of ignoring recommendations to encourage citizens living abroad to return. According to him, the committee called for the development of a five-year plan for this area. A similar program was introduced in 2010 but has not been renewed since. Kariv also said that the authorities had not established a roundtable to find ways to encourage citizens to return.
The meeting also discussed doctors leaving the country. Tel Aviv University professor Itai Ater reported an increase in the number of medical professionals leaving Israel and a decrease in the number of those returning. According to him, about 20% of doctors leaving have substantial professional experience.
Haaretz, citing a Tel Aviv University study, previously reported that at least 1,370 doctors left Israel in 2023–2025. One in five of them was older than 45. Another university study found that 268,509 Israelis left the country for at least three months in 2023–2025.
