Contents
Country Overview
Israel is a parliamentary state on the eastern Mediterranean littoral, established in 1948 and home to Jewish and Arab communities with significant religious, linguistic and cultural diversity. Its economy includes technology-intensive services, industry, agriculture and international trade. As of November 6, 2026, no coalition had yet been formed after the October 27 parliamentary election, and the preceding Netanyahu government continued in a caretaker capacity. Jerusalem, the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Golan Heights require careful distinction between Israeli administrative claims and international legal positions.
Population10.305 millionIsrael CBS, Sept. 2026 estimate [4]
Nominal GDPUS$610.78 billionWorld Bank 2025 [2]
PresidentIsaac HerzogServing November 2026 [10]
UNESCO World Heritage9 propertiesNine cultural inscriptions [13]
Data and status note: Israel’s national statistical agency estimated approximately 10.305 million residents in September 2026, compared with the World Bank’s 10.123 million estimate for 2025; these reflect different dates and statistical series. The national statistical series includes some territories under Israeli administration whose sovereignty is disputed internationally. Israel designates Jerusalem as its capital, but the status of East Jerusalem is disputed and subject to UN resolutions. The West Bank and Gaza must not be treated as sovereign Israeli territory. Netanyahu continued as prime minister in a caretaker role after the inconclusive October 2026 election.
Identity & State Formation
- Official name
- State of Israel (Medinat Yisra'el). [1]
- Establishment
- State declared on 14 May 1948, at the end of the British Mandate for Palestine. [17]
- UN membership
- Admitted to the United Nations on 11 May 1949. [17]
- Capital under Israeli law
- Jerusalem, the seat of national governing institutions. [11]
- Capital-status caveat
- East Jerusalem's annexation is not internationally recognized; the city's final status remains disputed. [16]
- Tel Aviv
- Major commercial and metropolitan center; often mistakenly described as the country's formal capital. [1] [22]
- UN geographic region
- Western Asia. [1]
- System of government
- Parliamentary republic with a largely ceremonial president and a prime minister responsible to the Knesset. [22]
- Constitutional form
- No single codified constitution; Basic Laws establish major state institutions and rights provisions. [11]
- Official language
- Hebrew is the state's official language under the 2018 Nation-State Basic Law; Arabic has a special statutory status. [11]
- Historical language practice
- Hebrew and Arabic remain important for public communication and civic life. [22]
- Currency
- New Israeli shekel (ILS; NIS), divided into 100 agorot. [8]
- Central bank
- Bank of Israel. [8]
- National legislature
- Knesset, the 120-seat unicameral parliament. [9]
- Electoral system
- National party-list proportional representation. [22]
- State symbols
- The flag has a blue Star of David between horizontal blue stripes on a white field. [22]
- National anthem
- Hatikvah. [22]
- Religious historical context
- Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze, Baha'i and other histories are rooted in the territory. [13]
- State-building chronology
- Immigration, war and population displacement are important parts of the 1948 historical context. [17] [20]
- Palestinian national question
- Questions of statehood, refugees, borders, Jerusalem and security are central to unresolved conflict. [16] [20]
- 1967 war context
- Israel took control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights during the June 1967 war. [16] [15]
- Geographic status principle
- Territorial control, sovereignty and international recognition are not interchangeable concepts. [16] [15]
Geography & Population
- Mediterranean coast
- Western coastline includes the Tel Aviv and Haifa metropolitan areas. [1]
- Gulf of Aqaba
- Israel has a short Red Sea shoreline at Eilat. [1]
- Neighbors
- Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt border territory under Israeli administration; occupied-area boundaries require qualification. [1] [15]
- Lebanon frontier
- Northern border with Lebanon is a significant security and diplomatic concern. [20]
- Syria and Golan
- The Golan Heights are administered by Israel but regarded by the UN as occupied Syrian territory. [15]
- Jordan frontier
- Jordan River basin and adjacent crossing points connect the countries. [1]
- Egypt frontier
- Borders the Sinai Peninsula and includes a peace-treaty relationship. [1]
- West Bank
- Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967; not internationally recognized as sovereign Israeli territory. [16]
- East Jerusalem
- Occupied territory under international legal frameworks despite Israel's application of its law. [16]
- Gaza Strip
- Palestinian territory on the Mediterranean; its humanitarian and security conditions are distinct from Israel's domestic data. [20]
- Jerusalem
- Political and religious center with disputed territorial status. [11] [16]
- Tel Aviv–Yafo
- Major technology, finance, culture and coastal metropolitan center. [2]
- Haifa
- Northern port and industrial center on the Mediterranean. [2]
- Beersheba
- Major city of the Negev in southern Israel. [19]
- Nazareth
- City with important Arab, Christian and Muslim communities and religious heritage. [13]
- Negev
- Large desert and semi-arid area in the south. [19]
- Galilee
- Hilly northern district with varied urban, rural and religious landscapes. [19]
- Carmel range
- Coastal mountain and forest zone near Haifa. [13]
- Jordan Rift Valley
- Regional tectonic valley corridor associated with earthquakes. [19]
- Dead Sea
- Hypersaline inland lake shared along the Israel/Jordan/West Bank region, with ongoing water-level decline. [19]
- Lake Kinneret
- Sea of Galilee provides freshwater and ecological value. [19]
- Climate types
- Mediterranean climate near the coast, more arid interior and desert climate southward. [19]
- Summer heat
- Heat risk rises in inland and arid zones. [19]
- Water management
- Desalination, reuse, conservation and efficient irrigation play significant roles. [19]
- Earthquake exposure
- Regional tectonics create seismic risk. [19]
- 2022 census
- Israel's 2022 census enumerated about 9.60 million people in the UN census table. [5]
- 2025 World Bank population
- 10,122,800 residents, annual estimated series. [3]
- September 2026 CBS population
- 10,305,000 residents, estimated shortly before Rosh Hashanah. [4]
- CBS Jewish and other residents
- About 7.828 million under the CBS Jewish/other category, excluding foreign nationals. [4]
- CBS Arab residents
- About 2.173 million under the CBS resident grouping. [4]
- CBS foreign residents
- About 304,000 foreign residents in the same September 2026 publication. [4]
- Population jurisdiction caveat
- Israel's national totals can include East Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights under its administrative definitions. [4] [16] [15]
- 2024 life expectancy
- Approximately 83 years under World Bank / WHO-linked life-expectancy data. [2] [18]
Population figures and their reference dates
CBS includes certain territories under Israeli administration; territorial classifications used internationally may differ. [4] [3] [5]
| Statistic | Population | Date and type |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 census | 9,601,723 | UN census inventory |
| 2025 World Bank | 10,122,800 | Annual estimate |
| September 2026 CBS | 10,305,000 | National total estimate |
| Jewish and other residents | 7,828,000 | CBS 2026 grouping |
| Arab residents | 2,173,000 | CBS 2026 grouping |
| Foreign residents | 304,000 | CBS 2026 separate category |
Economy & International Trade
- 2025 nominal GDP
- US$610.78 billion in the World Bank current-dollar series. [2]
- 2025 GDP per capita
- Approximately US$60,336.8 in current US dollars. [2]
- 2025 real GDP growth
- 2.9% in the World Bank GDP growth series. [2]
- 2025 World Bank CPI inflation
- 3.0% annual measure in that database. [2]
- 2025 modeled unemployment
- 3.5% under the World Bank ILO-modeled estimate. [2]
- IMF 2025 inflation
- IMF's 2026 Article IV table uses a 2025 period-average inflation rate of 2.1%, reflecting a distinct compilation. [6]
- IMF 2026 growth projection
- 3.5% forecast in the July 2026 Article IV consultation, not an observed final 2026 GDP rate. [6]
- Conflict-related economic risks
- Mobilization, security expenditures, supply constraints and regional warfare influence growth and investment. [6]
- High-technology services
- Software, cybersecurity, research, business services and innovation are important economic activities. [6]
- Semiconductor industry
- Chip design and related electronics activities form part of the advanced-technology sector. [7]
- Pharmaceutical products
- Medicines and chemical products have domestic and export roles. [7]
- Diamond trade
- Worked diamonds remain visible in the 2024 WTO export-product profile. [7]
- Agriculture
- Irrigated horticulture, field crops, livestock and food processing contribute to domestic supply. [19]
- Water technologies
- Desalination, wastewater reuse and advanced irrigation support water security. [19]
- Natural gas
- Offshore gas fields supply electricity and support regional energy commerce. [6]
- Electricity generation
- Gas-fired generation is important alongside expanding renewable electricity capacity. [6]
- Tourism
- Religious, historical, cultural and recreational visits are important but highly sensitive to security conditions. [13] [6]
- Ports
- Haifa and Ashdod provide major maritime cargo capacity. [2]
- Ben Gurion Airport
- Principal international air transport gateway near Tel Aviv. [2]
- Central bank
- Bank of Israel administers monetary policy and currency. [8]
- Currency
- New Israeli shekel, distinct from US-dollar GDP measures. [8]
- Government budget
- Security expenditures and public debt ratios changed amid conflict. [6]
- IMF 2025 fiscal balance
- −5.2% of GDP for the general government in the IMF 2026 consultation table. [6]
- IMF 2025 general debt
- 68.4% of GDP reported for general government public debt. [6]
- IMF 2025 current account
- Estimated surplus of 1.3% of GDP in the IMF consultation table. [6]
- 2024 WTO merchandise exports
- US$60.257 billion (WTO profile). [7]
- 2024 WTO merchandise imports
- US$91.538 billion (WTO profile). [7]
- 2024 merchandise balance
- Approximately US$31.281 billion deficit on the WTO recorded goods totals. [7]
- 2024 largest export market aggregate
- European Union, US$17.298 billion or 28.7% of goods exports. [7]
- 2024 US export market
- United States, US$17.127 billion or 28.4% of goods exports. [7]
- 2024 EU import origin
- European Union, US$25.201 billion or 27.5% of imports. [7]
- 2024 Chinese import origin
- China, US$19.098 billion or 20.9% of imports. [7]
- 2024 US import origin
- United States, US$9.394 billion or 10.3% of imports. [7]
- Diamond exports
- Worked non-industrial diamonds, about US$4.928 billion in 2024 WTO product data. [7]
- Processor/controller exports
- Electronic integrated circuits in HS 854231, about US$4.497 billion in 2024. [7]
- Crude petroleum imports
- US$7.037 billion in 2024 WTO HS 270900 data. [7]
- Trade methodology
- Merchandise trade excludes service exports and must not be confused with current-account balances. [7] [6]
- Innovation investment
- Venture capital and research-intensive industries are important, but exposed to global financing cycles. [6]
- Labor-market participation
- Differences between demographic groups remain a long-term productivity and inclusion issue. [6]
- Regional disruption
- Tourism and cross-border labor flows were affected by recent conflict. [6]
Selected World Bank 2025 economic indicators
These are 2025 World Bank series; IMF period-average inflation and 2026 projections use different definitions. [2] [6]
| Indicator | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,122,800 | Annual estimate |
| GDP | US$610.78 billion | Current-dollar total |
| GDP per capita | US$60,336.8 | Current dollars |
| GDP growth | 2.9% | Real annual change |
| CPI inflation | 3.0% | World Bank annual |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | ILO-modeled estimate |
Merchandise trade reported by WTO, 2024
Merchandise data exclude the major services sector; goods deficit is not a current-account deficit. [7] [6]
| Measure | US$ billion | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Exports | 60.257 | WTO recorded goods |
| Imports | 91.538 | WTO recorded goods |
| Balance | −31.281 | Goods exports minus imports |
| Exports to EU | 17.298 | EU as aggregate partner |
| Exports to US | 17.127 | Bilateral exports |
| Imports from EU | 25.201 | EU as aggregate partner |
| Imports from China | 19.098 | Bilateral imports |
People & Society
- National population diversity
- Jewish Israelis, Arab citizens, Druze and other communities have varied language and religious identities. [4]
- CBS Jewish and other category
- Includes Jewish residents and a separate 'other' classification; not a comprehensive religious count. [4]
- Arab population
- Arabic-speaking citizens include Muslim, Christian and Druze communities, among others. [4] [22]
- Hebrew
- Principal language of state administration and majority public life. [11]
- Arabic
- Used in significant communities and public services with protected special statutory status. [11]
- Russian
- Spoken among some immigrant communities. [22]
- Amharic
- Spoken among Ethiopian-origin communities. [22]
- English
- Widely taught and used in international business, academia and tourism. [22]
- Religious diversity
- Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Baha'i and other communities coexist with many secular residents. [13] [22]
- Jewish religious practice
- Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and secular Jewish communities have diverse practices and identities. [22]
- Muslim communities
- Muslim Arab residents are an important part of the population. [4]
- Christian communities
- Indigenous and immigrant Christian populations contribute to religious diversity. [13]
- Druze communities
- Druze religious and social traditions are important in northern communities. [22]
- Baha'i holy sites
- World Heritage properties include sites in Haifa and the Western Galilee. [13]
- Immigration
- Aliyah immigration and movement of residents have long affected population composition. [4]
- 2026 immigration dynamics
- CBS September 2026 estimates reflect both migration flows and natural population change. [4]
- Education
- Universities and research institutes support science, medicine and humanities. [6]
- Healthcare
- Universal health-insurance arrangements operate through health funds and public regulation. [18]
- Life expectancy
- World Bank/WHO-linked 2024 value is approximately 83 years. [2] [18]
- Cultural production
- Literature, film, theater, music and popular media include Hebrew and Arabic traditions. [13]
- Food cultures
- Regional cuisines reflect Levantine, Mediterranean and diverse diaspora histories. [13]
- Religious observances
- Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze calendars shape public and communal life. [22]
- Military service
- Conscription applies under national law with different rules and exemptions across communities. [22]
- Population inclusion
- Labor-force participation, schooling and income outcomes differ across social groups. [6]
- Protests and public debate
- Constitutional changes, judicial independence and security policy have generated major civic debates. [11] [12]
- Arab political representation
- Arab-led party lists won 19 seats combined in the October 2026 Knesset election. [9]
- Public security concerns
- Attacks on civilians, displacement and conflict-related trauma affect communities in Israel and neighboring Palestinian territories. [20]
Government & Institutions
- Head of state
- President Isaac Herzog as of November 6, 2026. [10]
- Prime minister on cutoff
- Benjamin Netanyahu remained prime minister in a caretaker capacity after the October 2026 vote. [10] [12]
- 2026 election date
- October 27, 2026, for the 26th Knesset. [9]
- Parliamentary chamber
- 120-member unicameral Knesset. [9]
- Majority threshold
- 61 seats required for a straightforward majority of 120. [12]
- Likud 2026 seats
- 27 seats in final official election results. [9]
- Yashar 2026 seats
- 21 seats, led by Gadi Eisenkot. [9] [12]
- Be'Yahad 2026 seats
- 12 seats in the 26th Knesset election. [9]
- Joint List 2026 seats
- 11 seats. [9]
- Ra'am 2026 seats
- 8 seats. [9]
- Democrats 2026 seats
- 8 seats. [9]
- Yisrael Beytenu seats
- 7 seats. [9]
- United Torah Judaism seats
- 7 seats. [9]
- Otzma Yehudit seats
- 7 seats. [9]
- Shas seats
- 6 seats. [9]
- Religious Zionism and Zehut
- 6 seats combined in 2026 election list. [9]
- 2026 coalition breakdown
- Netanyahu-aligned bloc held 53 seats; principal Jewish opposition bloc 48; Arab-led parties 19. [12]
- Presidential consultations
- President received coalition recommendations November 5, 2026. [10]
- November 5 recommendations
- Parties holding 67 seats endorsed Eisenkot and 46 seats Netanyahu; other members did not recommend either. [10]
- Government formation
- President said November 5 he intended to designate a coalition-former on November 8. [10]
- Caretaker status
- The preceding government continues until a new cabinet is sworn in, absent another constitutional outcome. [12]
- New Knesset opening
- The 26th Knesset was expected to convene November 10, 2026. [12]
- Constitutional framework
- Basic Laws substitute for a single written constitutional document. [11]
- Judiciary
- Supreme Court sits atop the court system and exercises constitutional review functions. [22] [11]
- President's powers
- Primarily ceremonial and procedural, including the role in appointing a government-former. [10]
- Prime minister's role
- Heads cabinet and must maintain sufficient parliamentary support. [22]
- Election threshold
- Party lists face a 3.25% electoral threshold. [9]
- Voting system
- Proportional representation from national party lists. [22]
- 2026 political uncertainty
- Election winners had not formed a parliamentary majority coalition by the November 6 editorial cutoff. [10] [12]
2026 Knesset final official party seats
Election on October 27, 2026; seats do not equate to a sworn-in governing coalition. [9] [10]
| Party list | Seats | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Likud | 27 | Largest list |
| Yashar! | 21 | Second largest |
| Be'Yahad | 12 | Electoral list |
| Joint List | 11 | Arab-led list |
| The Democrats | 8 | Electoral list |
| Ra'am | 8 | Arab-led list |
| Yisrael Beytenu | 7 | Electoral list |
| Otzma Yehudit | 7 | Electoral list |
| United Torah Judaism | 7 | Electoral list |
| Shas | 6 | Electoral list |
| Religious Zionism and Zehut | 6 | Electoral list |
| Total | 120 | Seats in Knesset |
International Profile
- United Nations status
- Member state since May 1949. [17]
- WTO status
- Member of the World Trade Organization and multilateral trade framework. [7]
- United States relationship
- Major strategic, commercial and diplomatic partner. [12] [7]
- European Union relationship
- Large trade relationship with the EU considered as an aggregate partner. [7]
- Jordan peace treaty
- Peace treaty was signed in 1994. [22]
- Egypt peace treaty
- Peace treaty was signed in 1979. [22]
- Abraham Accords
- Israel normalized relations with several Arab countries beginning in 2020, with changing regional dynamics. [22]
- Palestinian territories
- West Bank and Gaza have internationally distinct legal and humanitarian status. [16] [20]
- West Bank settlements
- Security Council Resolution 2334 states Israeli settlements in territory occupied since 1967 lack legal validity. [16]
- East Jerusalem
- Israeli law and administrative claims differ from the international position on occupied East Jerusalem. [16]
- Golan Heights
- UN Security Council Resolution 497 declared imposition of Israeli law on occupied Syrian territory without international legal effect. [15]
- Jerusalem final status
- Remains a matter of international diplomatic and legal dispute; heritage inscription does not settle sovereignty. [14] [16]
- Humanitarian situation
- UN humanitarian reporting monitors civilian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. [20]
- Gaza conflict
- Warfare following the October 7, 2023 attacks profoundly affected Israeli and Palestinian civilians. [20] [12]
- Lebanon relationship
- Armed conflict, border security and diplomacy complicate northern relations. [12]
- Iran relationship
- Strategic hostility and regional military confrontations have affected security since 2025. [6] [12]
- Security diplomacy
- Regional hostilities and defense expenditure shape foreign policy choices. [6]
- Regional economic diplomacy
- Technology, agriculture and energy expertise support cross-border partnerships where diplomatic ties exist. [6]
- International legal proceedings
- The ICJ has addressed legal questions concerning the occupied Palestinian territory. [21]
- Climate cooperation
- Water scarcity, desalination and ecosystem protection are transboundary concerns. [19]
- World Heritage total
- Nine properties inscribed in UNESCO's Israel state-party inventory. [13]
- UNESCO Jerusalem caveat
- The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls has a separate UNESCO listing following a Jordanian nomination; not included in Israel's nine properties. [14] [13]
- Masada
- Fortress archaeological property inscribed in 2001. [13]
- Old City of Acre
- UNESCO cultural World Heritage property inscribed in 2001. [13]
- White City of Tel Aviv
- Modernist urban architecture property inscribed in 2003. [13]
- Biblical Tels
- Serial archaeological property comprising Megiddo, Hazor and Beersheba. [13]
- Incense Route
- Negev desert cities of the ancient incense trade, inscribed in 2005. [13]
- Baha'i Holy Places
- Haifa and Western Galilee religious sites, inscribed in 2008. [13]
- Mount Carmel caves
- Human evolution archaeological sites inscribed in 2012. [13]
- Maresha and Bet-Guvrin
- Judean lowlands cave landscapes, inscribed in 2014. [13]
- Bet She'arim
- Necropolis and Jewish cultural history property, inscribed in 2015. [13]
- World Heritage tentative sites
- UNESCO tentative nominations are proposals, not additional inscribed properties. [13]
- UNESCO political neutrality
- UNESCO inscription status does not determine territorial sovereignty or international recognition. [14]
Selected UNESCO properties in Israel’s nine-entry inventory
Jerusalem’s Old City inscription is recorded separately after a Jordanian nomination and is not included here. [13] [14]
| Property | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Masada | Cultural | 2001 |
| Old City of Acre | Cultural | 2001 |
| White City of Tel Aviv | Cultural | 2003 |
| Biblical Tels | Cultural | 2005 |
| Incense Route — Desert Cities in the Negev | Cultural | 2005 |
| Bahá'i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee | Cultural | 2008 |
| Mount Carmel caves | Cultural | 2012 |
| Maresha and Bet-Guvrin | Cultural | 2014 |
| Necropolis of Bet She'arim | Cultural | 2015 |
Sources and Methodology
Annual population estimates, national CBS totals and the 2022 census are distinct statistical series. Israel’s official population publications may include East Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights in the national resident total; international data may use different territorial coverage. Capital and geographic details distinguish state claims from international legal status. WTO merchandise figures exclude services; Israeli high-technology services contribute separately to external receipts. World Bank GDP is nominal current-US-dollar data, and IMF 2026 values are projections. The UNESCO Israel World Heritage count excludes the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, which is recorded separately in UNESCO’s listing following a Jordanian nomination.
Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). All stated population counts, prices, elections, and legal statuses have specific reference dates or qualifications. This page should be updated following major new statistical releases or changes of government.
- United Nations Statistics Division — M49 — geographic classification and metadata.
- World Bank — Israel country data — 2025 GDP, population and economic indicators.
- World Bank — Israel population — 2025 estimated population.
- Israel Central Bureau of Statistics — September 9, 2026 population release — September 2026 estimated total and demographic groups.
- United Nations — Census and population dates — Israel population census 2022.
- International Monetary Fund — July 1, 2026 Israel Article IV — 2025 macro facts and 2026 outlook with conflict risks.
- World Trade Organization — Israel merchandise trade profile — 2024 imports, exports, partner and product trade.
- Bank of Israel — Official website — shekel and central bank monetary function.
- Knesset — Final official results of October 27, 2026 election — 26th Knesset vote and 120-seat party allocation.
- President of Israel — November 5, 2026 coalition consultations — 2026 government formation and outgoing prime minister status.
- Knesset — Constitution and Basic Laws — legislative constitutional framework.
- US Congressional Research Service — Israel 2026 election analysis — October election bloc totals and coalition uncertainty.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Israel — nine inscribed cultural World Heritage properties.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Jerusalem nomination status — separate World Heritage Old City inscription proposed by Jordan; territorial caveat.
- UN Security Council — Golan resolution 497 (1981) — international legal status of occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
- UN Security Council — Resolution 2334 (2016) — settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
- United Nations — Member States — Israel UN membership.
- World Health Organization — Israel — life expectancy and health indicators.
- World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal — Israel — water, climate and environmental exposures.
- UN OCHA — Occupied Palestinian Territory — humanitarian situation and civilian protection in Gaza and West Bank.
- International Court of Justice — Palestine and occupied territories — international legal proceedings concerning occupied territory.
- Israel Government — Political structure and elections — political institutions and courts.