This report relates to all people arriving in Israel, including those already here who were changing their status, and Israelis who were processed by Aliyah Shlichim (such as returning minors, minors with Israeli citizenship, foreign-born citizens and returning residents)-henceforth "people arriving in Israel" unless otherwise stated. Israelis processed by Aliyah Shlichim were mainly from Western countries.

Between January and December 2004, 22,134 people arrived in Israel under the auspices of the Jewish Agency. Among these 20,893 were immigrants (including those who willingly changed their status and those who have had citizenship conferred on them). The rest were Israelis who were processed by Aliyah Shlichim. This is a decrease of 9% compared to the same period last year.

Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

• Between January and December 2004, 10,127 immigrants arrived from the FSU (making up 46% of the total number of immigrants) a 18% decrease compared to the same period last year. The majority of immigrants coming from the Former Soviet Union are from Russia and Ukraine. 3,982 immigrants arrived from Russia, (an 17% decrease compared to the same period last year) 3,055 immigrants arrived from Ukraine, (a 20% decrease compared to the same period last year).
  
• Between January and December 2004, 319 immigrants arrived from Eastern Europe, compared with 225 immigrants that arrived during the same period last year (an increase of 42%).

• Between January and December 2004, 3,378 people arrived from Western Europe. Of these, 2,804 were immigrants and 574 were Israelis. This is an 16% increase compared to the same period last year. (An increase of 13% in the number of new immigrants and 33% in the number of Israelis).
  
• Between January and December 2004, 2,415 immigrants arrived from France, compared with 2,083 that arrived during the same period last year (an increase of 16%).
  
• Between January and December 2004, 2,640 immigrants and Israelis arrived from North America, compared to 2,385 that arrived during the same period last year, an increase of 11%.
  
• Between January and December 2004, 1,348 immigrants and Israelis arrived from South America. This is a decrease of approximately 50% as compared to the same period last year. The majority of immigrants from South America come from Argentina, 494 immigrants, and Brazil, 260 immigrants.

1. 4,893 were in absorption centers. 9% of them are participants in the Selah program, 14% are students, 8% are (other) youth, 19% are pre-aliyah registration from Shaliach in Western Countries, and 9% are participants of business programs. 1,624 of the immigrants in absorption centers (33%) are immigrants from Ethiopia.
   
   
2. An additional 5,174 immigrants from Ethiopia were living in additional absorption facilities run by the Jewish Agency for the specific purpose of absorbing the current wave of immigration from Ethiopia.

Last updated: Wednesday, January 19, 2005