268,509 Israelis were abroad for at least three consecutive months during 2023-2025, prompting Tel Aviv University researchers to warn that sustained emigration could eventually endanger Israel’s security and economy.
2025 still showed 90,922 long-term departures after 91,499 in 2024 and 86,509 in 2023, suggesting the surge that began after 2020 has leveled off at a high rate rather than reversing.
38,764 departures in 2020 marked the study’s low point, before totals climbed through the COVID period and then jumped in 2023 amid mass protests, the Oct. 7 attack and wars with Hamas and Hezbollah.
49,925 Israelis were also absent for at least 12 consecutive months in 2023, and 49,677 remained away in 2024, reinforcing concerns about a prolonged brain drain from high-tech and health sectors.
The researchers said the numbers do not yet pose an immediate risk, but warned Israel is especially exposed because it relies heavily on human capital rather than abundant natural resources.