The Number of Israelis Going Abroad is at an All-Time High

In 2018, Israel saw citizens leaving its borders 8.5 million times, up 12% from the previous year, according to data published by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics last week. 3% of departures were of Israelis living outside of Israel.

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7.8 million of the departures were by air, accounting for a 10% increase from 2017. Israelis leaving the country by land crossings numbered 620,000, a 38% increase from 2017. 27% of all exits occurred during July and August. Overall, almost half of all Israelis—4.1 million—left the country in 2018, up 8% from 2017. 1.9 million went abroad twice or more during the year.

2018 also saw a record number of foreign visitors to Israel. 4.1 million tourist entries were recorded, a 14% increase from 2017, according to the bureau.