Over 20,000 olim made Aliyah to Israel from 100 countries in past year, data shows

Jerusalem Post/AliyahRussia topped the list of countries sending new immigrants to Israel, followed by France and the US, as more than 20,000 olim arrived during the Jewish year 5786.Follow us on GoogleNew Olim coming to Israel 2026(photo credit: NEFESH B'NEFESH)SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 12:33Updated: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 13:06More than 20,000 new immigrants (olim) arrived in Israel during the Jewish year 5786 (September 23, 2025 to September 3, 2026), coming from over 100 different countries worldwide, according to a new data report released on Tuesday by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency.The breakdown of the aliyah figures for the past year shows that Russia topped the charts with 5,685 olim arriving in Israel, followed by 4,364 from France, 3,333 from the United States, and 975 from the United Kingdom.Additionally, 797 olim came 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.Olim of all age groupsThe data also showed that 35% of the olim were young people aged 18–35, reflecting significant growth in Israeli society and the economy.According to the data report, many of these young immigrants were physicians and professionals in in-demand fields. Some 24% of the olim are children and youth up to age 17, who have now been 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 were both 102 years old at the time of their arrival in the country - one from Russia and one from France. The youngest was a two-week-old infant who arrived with his family from Mexico.Around 150 new olim arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport on August 27, 2026. (credit: SIVAN SHACHOR)Where are Olim making their start?About 31% of all olim this year settled in communities north of Hadera or south of Ashdod. Specifically, 3,862 olim (about 20% of the total) settled from Hadera northward, while 2,247 (about 11%) settled from Ashdod southward.Tel Aviv attracted the largest number of new olim this year, with 2,762 newcomers, 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, welcomed 132.'The essence of Zionism'Reflecting the year's data, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and The Jewish Agency touched on the diasporas connection to the Jewish state, stating in the report, “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.”Maj.-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency, commented on the aliyah numbers during a challenging year, stating that they represent "the essence of Zionism."“Aliyah is the strongest response to every challenge we face; it serves as a growth engine that contributes to strengthening the State of Israel,” Almog said.Aliyah and Integration Minister, Ofir Sofer, emphasized, “Every Oleh who arrives strengthens society, the economy, and the resilience of the country, and Aliyah is a central component of its future."Follow us on Google