The statistics department of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration presented the final data on the number of new immigrants and returning Israelis who arrived in Israel last year.
According to the report, in 2017, 34,200 people arrived in Israel: 28,600 new immigrants and 5,600 returnees. Thus, the increase in the number of new citizens in 2017 increased by 5% compared to 2016.
New immigrants and returning Israelis travel to Israel mainly from four countries: Russia, Ukraine, France and the United States. From Russia, which continues to be in the first place by the number of repatriates, 7188 people arrived in Israel (in 2016 - 7192), from Ukraine - 7161 (last year - 5994), from France - 3389 (last year - 4802), from the USA - 2929 people (last year - 3150).
According to the report of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in 2017 the number of new immigrants from Belarus increased - 971 (last year - 663) and from Ethiopia - 1311 people (last year - 110). The number of immigrants from Brazil practically did not change in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 674 people, from Britain 504 repatriates arrived, from Canada - 369 and from Turkey - 388 people.
"I am convinced that repatriates are the most important strategic asset of the State of Israel, and we intend to do everything possible to increase the budget of our department. There is no doubt that the more funds we can invest in promoting and facilitating repatriation, the stronger Israel will become, "Minister Sofa Landwehr commented.
More than 5000 newly arrived immigrants are specialists in the sphere of services and trade, 1953 repatriates - specialists in the field of humanities and social sciences, 1293 - specialists in the field of education and 1279 people - specialists in the field of accounting and jurisprudence. Among the new citizens: doctors, economists, technologists, as well as 1,291 repatriates without a certain specialty and 1,682 people without work experience.
According to the agency's report, the average age of aliyah continues to be "young." Among repatriates who arrived in Israel in 2017, 12482 people belong to the age group from 20 to 44 years, 7117 returnees - under the age of 19, 5590 repatriates - from 45 to 65 years and 3405 returnees - from 66 and older.
The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration also reports on where the new citizens of Israel settled. Thus, 2,684 people chose to live in Tel Aviv, 2777 in Jerusalem, 2,185 in Netanya, Haifa in 2,988, and the remaining returnees settled in Ashdod, Bat Yam, Raanane, Beer Sheva, Rishon Lezion and Ashkelon.