Record Exodus: 99,000 Israelis Leave as Election Looms

Itai Ater, a professor at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, has tracked a historic outflow of citizens from his country. His research indicates that nearly 100,000 Israelis have departed since 2023, a rate higher than any previous period on record. Ater argues that the upcoming national election could intensify this trend if the political status quo persists.

A study published in February, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, quantified this departure. It recorded 99,000 exits between January 2023 and December 2024. The researchers defined emigration as individuals absent for at least three consecutive months and outside the country for more than 270 days in the first year. Approximately 50,000 left in 2023, while 49,000 departed in 2024. Ater noted that preliminary data suggests this high volume continued through 2025.

The driver of this movement is a combination of war, economic instability, and a prolonged political crisis. The period includes the 2023 Hamas attack that killed roughly 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, followed by a major military campaign in Gaza. Although a ceasefire began in October 2025, Israel still controls about 60 percent of the territory and conducts regular operations. Ater observes that many citizens are questioning whether they want to raise children in such an environment.

Next week's election adds another layer of uncertainty to these calculations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led the country for three decades, is seeking to retain power. Current polls indicate his far-right coalition will not secure the 61 Knesset seats required for a majority. A rival bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party is expected to win the most seats but also fall short of a governing majority. This forces the formation of a coalition, a process in which Netanyahu has historically excelled.

Ater warned that without a political shift, emigration figures could rise sharply. He stated that the numbers will go up dramatically if the current conditions remain. Avigail Ben-Porat, a 50-year-old single mother in Kiryat Shmona, said she wishes to leave but lacks the financial means. She hears rocket fire regularly and has watched friends relocate to Portugal, Canada, Thailand, and India.

The departure of skilled professionals poses a specific economic threat. The study noted a sharp increase in the exit of doctors, PhD holders, and engineers. Net departures included 2,360 engineers and 509 doctors in 2023 and 2024. Ater emphasized that Israel’s economy relies on this human capital, particularly in technology, academia, and healthcare.

Corporate leaders are also evaluating their presence in the country. Liam Schwartz, head of corporate immigration at the Tel Aviv law firm Goldfarb, Gross, Seligman, reported that some companies face pressure from international investors concerned about operational viability. These firms are increasingly moving parts of their workforce to North America or Europe. Schwartz traced this dissatisfaction to January 2023, when the government proposed judicial reforms that would have limited the Supreme Court's powers. He described the situation as a failure of the social contract, calling the upcoming vote a potential turning point for emigration.