Israel - Demographics
Population
(July 2005)
Total: 6,276,883
note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank
(excluding East Jerusalem), and about 5,000 in the Gaza Strip.
Age structure
0-14 years: 26.5% (male 851,415; female 812,095)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 2,010,888; female 1,986,256)
65 years and over: 9.8% (male 264,708; female 351,521) (2005 est.)
Population growth rate
overall: 1.2% (2005 est.)
During the 1990s, the Jewish population growth rate was about 3% per
year, as a result of massive immigration to Israel, primarily from the
republics of the former Soviet Union. There is also a high population
growth rate among certain Jewish groups, especially ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Birth rate
18.21 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate
6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate
7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.32 years
male: 77.21 years
female: 81.55 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Nationality
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli
Ethnic groups
Two Israeli soldiers chat with Israeli Arabs in the Galilee, 1978
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Two Israeli soldiers chat with Israeli Arabs in the Galilee, 1978
Jewish: 80.9%, Arab: 19.1% (end of 2002).
Note: The figure for "Jewish" includes people who are not classified as
"Jewish" by religion. These are mainly immigrants from the former USSR
which are either Christian or of unclassified religion.
Among Jews, 63% are Israeli-born. 27% are immigrants from the West, and
11% are immigrants from developing countries in Asia and Africa,
including Arab countries and the African nation of Ethiopia: see
Ethiopian Jews.
Traditionally, Jews are grouped into:
* Ashkenazim - Jews whose ancestors lived in France, Germany, and
eastern-Europe. Most immigrants to Israel from North America, Russia,
South Africa and Australia are Ashkenazim.
* Sephardim - Jews whose ancestors lived in Spain, Portugal, North
Africa, and other Mediterranean areas. This category often includes
Mizrahim (see next group).
* Mizrahim - Near-eastern or Oriental Jews, people who descend from
ancient Jewish communities in Muslim lands.
Note: In Israel, Jews with origins in Western (Christian) countries are
called Ashkenazi though many are not. The Jews of Italy are Bené Roma;
the Georgian are Gruzim; the Greek are Romaniotes; and many of the
Bulgarian and Latin American are Sephardic. These groups claim distinct
cultures and histories.
Those with origins in Muslim and Arab lands are commonly called Sephardi
though many are not. The Jews of Iran and Iraq are Mizrahi and the
Yemenite and Omani are Temani. None of these groups include the Beta
Israel of Ethiopia who were brought to Israel during Operation Solomon
and Operation Moses, as well as other groups.
For a complete list of Jewish ethnic groups, see Jewish ethnic
divisions.
However, this grouping is becoming used less due to cultural
assimilation and intermarriage.
Religions
Jewish 76.8%, Muslim 15.7% (mostly Sunni), Christian 2.1%, Druze 1.6%,
other 3.7% (end of 2002).
Two extremes of Israeli Society; the Haredi and the Secular
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Two extremes of Israeli Society; the Haredi and the Secular
Official figures do not exist as to the number of atheists or otherwise
non-affiliated individuals, who may comprise up to a quarter of the
population referred to as Jewish. According to one study, 6% of Israeli
Jews define themselves as haredim (or Ultra-Orthodox); an additional 9%
are "religious" (orthodox); 34% consider themselves "traditionalists"
(not strictly adhering to Jewish halacha); and 51% are "secular". Among
the seculars, 53% say they believe in God.
Languages
Hebrew and Arabic (official), English most commonly used foreign
language
Literacy
(2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4%
male: 97.3% female: 93.6%
Education between ages 5 and 16 is free and compulsory. The school
system is organized into kindergartens, 6-year primary schools, and
either 6-year secondary schools or 3-year junior secondary schools +
3-year senior secondary schools (depending on region), after which a
comprehensive examination is offered for university admissions. There
are seven university-level institutions in Israel.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Israel
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