Israeli population climbs to 8,904,373 ahead of Jewish New Year

Population increases by 173,811; the number of new Olim to Israel the past year stands at 24,801; most popular boys' names are Joseph, Daniel and Ori; Tamar, Noa and Shira most popular for girls.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
A baby sits in front of an Israeli flag (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
A baby sits in front of an Israeli flag
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
As Israelis prepare to ring in the Jewish New Year, the Population and Immigration Authority released a report on Sunday estimating Israel’s population at 8,904,373.
This marks an increase of 173,811, or 1.99 percent, in the total population, from 8,730,562 citizens registered with the Interior Ministry a year ago.
The number of new immigrants to Israel over the past 12 months was 24,801.
During the year, some 176,230 babies were born, of which 90,646 were boys and 85,584 were girls.
The most popular name for a girl was Tamar, followed by classic Israeli names such as Noa and Shira. Adelle, Talia, Yael, Leanne, Miriam, Maya, and Avigail all made the top 10 list.
For boys, the most popular name was Yosef, followed by Daniel and Ori. Also making the top 10 list were Itai, Omer, Adam, Noam, Ariel, Eitan, and David.
Some 140,591 Israelis registered to be married, of which 75,848 tied the knot during the year. In contrast, 32,457 Israelis registered to divorce and 23,419 went ahead with the proceeding.
Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu exhibited the population numbers as a triumph over the Holocaust and other tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people.
“I can say that there are more than six million Jews in Israel, in light of the course our people has taken in the last century,” he said.
Israel “is not short of challenges,” the prime minister added, “but our strength is unifying the nation and repelling our enemies.”

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Netanyahu wished the nation a happy holiday and a speedy recovery to those still recovering from injuries sustained during the recent fighting on the Gaza front.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.


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