Israel: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Israel — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
8,883,800
#96 of 197 countries
Area
21,937 km²
#154 of 248 countries
Density
405.0 / km²
#30 of 245 countries

Israel has a population of 8,883,800 spread across 21,937 km², giving it an average density of 405.0 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
30.2
Life Expectancy
83.1 yrs
Government
parliamentary democracy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Israel is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 94% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$52,004
Cost of Living
94% of US
Inflation
4.2%
Inequality
37.9
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$47,300
Unemployment
3.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 2.4% of Israel's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$2,661,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
2.4%
Outbound Tourists
9,179,000
Air Passengers
7,377,778
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Israel has 3.8 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.8/1k
Hospital Beds
3.14/1k
Health Spend
$3928/person
Infant Mortality
2.7/1k
Immunization
98%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
99.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Israel, 87% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 153 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
87.0%
Mobile Subs
153/100
Broadband
29.4/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data