Israel records surge of 268,000 long‑term emigrants over three years amid conflict
A Tel Aviv University study found that about 268,000 Israelis left the country for periods of three months or longer between 2023 and 2025, averaging roughly 90,000 departures per year. The annual figures were 86,509 in 2023, 91,499 in 2024 and 90,922 in 2025, far above the roughly 60,000 yearly average recorded from 2010 to 2019. Researchers, led by Professor Itai Ater, warn that the outflow—particularly of physicians, engineers, academics and other high‑income professionals—poses a risk to Israel’s economy and security, which relies heavily on a highly‑skilled workforce.
The emigration wave began after the 2022 political turmoil and intensified following the Oct. 7, 2023 Gaza war, which has since expanded to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. Israeli military data show at least 966 soldiers have been killed since the conflict began, while the nation’s total population remains above 10 million.
Entities: Gaza war · Israel · Itai Ater · Tel Aviv University
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] At least 966 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. (Israeli military data)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Israel's total population remains above 10 million. (Israeli official data)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The study was conducted by Tel Aviv University researchers led by Professor Itai Ater. (Tel Aviv University)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Researchers warn the emigration trend could harm Israel's economy and security, especially due to loss of high‑tech talent. (Tel Aviv University researchers)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Long‑term departures were 86,509 in 2023, 91,499 in 2024 and 90,922 in 2025. (Tel Aviv University study)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The emigration increase coincides with political turmoil since late 2022 and the Gaza war that began in October 2023 and later expanded to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. (Tel Aviv University study)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 268,000 Israelis left Israel for at least three months between 2023 and 2025. (Tel Aviv University study)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Average annual long‑term departures rose to about 90,000 per year from 2023‑2025, up from roughly 60,000 per year between 2010 and 2019. (Tel Aviv University study)