Jerusalem, September 8, 2026 — More than 20,000 new Olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel during the Jewish year 5786, from over 100 countries around the world, according to data released by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and The Jewish Agency for Israel ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

Even in a year marked by a challenging security situation, thousands of Jews from every corner of the globe chose to make Aliyah to Israel, build their homes there, and raise their children there — a choice that reflects the deep and enduring connection between world Jewry and the State of Israel.

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and The Jewish Agency said they will continue to promote dedicated programs for new Olim, aimed at supporting their optimal integration and harnessing the knowledge, experience, and capabilities these Olim bring to strengthen Israeli society, the economy, and the State of Israel.

A breakdown of Aliyah figures for the year 5786 (September 23, 2025 to September 3, 2026) shows 5,685 Olim arrived from Russia, 4,364 from France, 3,333 from the United States, and 975 from the United Kingdom.

Also arriving this year were 797 Olim from Ukraine, 491 from Belarus, 440 from Canada, 247 from Australia, 243 from Argentina, 241 from Georgia, 210 from South Africa, 210 from Germany, and 200 from Brazil.

Thirty-five percent of Olim in 5786 are young people aged 18–35, forming a significant growth engine for Israeli society and economy; among them are physicians and professionals from in-demand fields. Twenty-four percent are children and youth up to age 17, who have integrated into the Israeli education system. An additional 18% are aged 36–50, 9% are aged 51–60, 5% are aged 61–65, and 10% are 66 or older.

The two oldest Olim this year are both 102 years old — one from Russia and one from France. The youngest is an infant just two weeks old who arrived with his family from Mexico.

About 31% of all Olim this year settled in communities north of Hadera or south of Ashdod: 3,862 Olim (about 20% of the total) settled from Hadera northward, and 2,247 (about 11%) settled from Ashdod southward.

Tel Aviv absorbed the largest number of new Olim in 5786, with 2,762, followed by Netanya (2,224), Jerusalem (2,134), Haifa (1,504), Ra’anana (1,042), Bat Yam (957), Ashdod (846), Beit Shemesh (680), Ashkelon (534), and Rishon LeZion (450). Nahariya, the northernmost city on the list, absorbed 307 Olim, while Eilat, the southernmost, absorbed 132.

The past year saw a marked increase in interest in Aliyah from Western countries. More than 28,000 Jews worldwide opened Aliyah files through the Jewish Agency’s Global Aliyah Center in Jerusalem, supported by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

France saw a 31.5% increase in Aliyah file openings (7,033 this year versus 5,349 last year); the United States saw a 17.1% increase (6,725 versus 5,745); Britain saw a 68% increase (2,264 versus 1,348); Canada saw a 10.7% increase (956 versus 864); Australia saw an 89.7% surge (590 versus 311); and South Africa saw a 14.3% increase (368 versus 322).

Thousands of additional Jews worldwide took part in Aliyah fairs held during the year in France, the United Kindgom, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Azerbaijan, and Australia. The fairs were organized by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, Ofek Yisraeli, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Keren Hayesod, and International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, together with additional Aliyah organizations, and introduced participants to the possibilities of life, employment, and integration into Israeli society.

Throughout the year, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and The Jewish Agency advanced a series of initiatives to encourage Aliyah and support the integration of Olim into Israeli society and the economy.

At the initiative of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Aliyah and Integration, a tax reform was launched to ease immigrants’ integration into the Israeli economy. This year, 414 physicians from around the world made Aliyah, alongside professionals from in-demand fields. In parallel, programs were advanced to integrate Olim into the Israeli labor market, including vocational training, job-placement tracks, and connections between Olim and leading companies and organizations.

The Jewish Agency also advanced dedicated Aliyah tracks for Israel’s north and south, aimed at strengthening those regions demographically, communally, and economically. Among these initiatives is the Garinei Aliyah model, in which groups of young Olim families arrive in Israel together and are absorbed together within local communities and municipalities.

Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer: “For more than 20,000 new Olim, this is their first Rosh Hashanah at home — in the State of Israel. Specifically in a complex and challenging year, the choice to make Aliyah and build a future here is a strong Zionist and Israeli statement. A significant increase has been recorded in Aliyah from France and the United Kingdom, alongside the war in Israel, political developments around the world, and rising antisemitism. The trend of Aliyah from Western countries is expected to continue and strengthen, and this is a national opportunity that the State of Israel cannot afford to miss. The fact that more than a third of this year’s Olim are young people aged 18-35, alongside many families seeking to build a future for their children in Israel, attests to the trust placed in the State of Israel. Every Oleh who arrives strengthens society, the economy, and the resilience of the country, and Aliyah is a central component of its future. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration operates and will continue to operate, through its dedicated employees and a range of programs, to integrate Olim into the community, employment, and other areas. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, to all the new Olim: welcome home.”

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog: “Aliyah is a profound expression of unconditional love, of trust in the future of the State of Israel and in the power of the Jewish people to build here together the next chapter of the Zionist enterprise. Even in a complex and challenging year, thousands of Jews from every corner of the world have chosen to take the big step and call Israel home. This is the essence of Zionism. Aliyah is the strongest answer to every challenge we face; it is a growth engine that contributes to strengthening the State of Israel. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, this is the time to act powerfully to bring hearts closer and to welcome thousands of Olim with great love. Am Yisrael Chai.”

Media Contact:
Jake Sharfman, JCubed Communications
Jacob@jcubedpr.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.