Israel

Introduction

Background

The State of Israel was declared in 1948, after Britain withdrew from its mandate of Palestine. The UN proposed partitioning the area into Arab and Jewish states, and Arab armies that rejected the UN plan were defeated. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel fought wars against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973, followed by peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed a number of interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with 28,600 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2016. The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU has led the Israeli Government since 2009; he formed a center-right coalition following the 2015 elections. In December 2018 the Knesset voted to dissolve itself, leading to an election in April 2019. When that election failed to result in formation of a government, Israel held a second election in September 2019, which also failed to result in the formation of a government. On 11 December 2019, the Knesset voted to hold a third election on 2 March 2020.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon

Geographic coordinates

31 30 N, 34 45 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 21,937 sq km
land: 21,497 sq km
water: 440 sq km
country comparison to the world: 153

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New Jersey

Land boundaries

total: 1,065 km
border countries (6): Egypt 206 km, Gaza Strip 59 km, Jordan 336 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea), Lebanon 107 km, Syria 79 km, West Bank 278 km

Coastline

273 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate

temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain

Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley

Elevation

mean elevation: 508 mnote - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights
lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m
highest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range

Natural resources

timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Land use

agricultural land: 23.8% (2011 est.)
arable land: 13.7% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 3.8% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 6.3% (2011 est.)
forest: 7.1% (2011 est.)
other: 69.1% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

2,250 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba

Natural hazards

sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes

Environment - current issues

limited arable land and restricted natural freshwater resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note

note 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti)

note 2:  the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock)

note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019)

People and Society

Population

8,424,904(includes populations of the Golan Heights or Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) (July 2018 est.)
note: approximately 22,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2016); approximately 201,000 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2014)
country comparison to the world: 98

Nationality

noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli

Ethnic groups

Jewish 74.4% (of which Israel-born 76.9%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.9%, Africa-born 4.6%, Asia-born 2.6%), Arab 20.9%, other 4.7% (2018 est.)

Languages

Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language)

Religions

Jewish 74.3%, Muslim 17.8%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.4% (2018 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.26%(male 1,175,106 /female 1,121,309)
15-24 years: 15.58%(male 670,121 /female 642,155)
25-54 years: 37.19%(male 1,601,516 /female 1,531,849)
55-64 years: 8.42%(male 350,050 /female 359,578)
65 years and over: 11.55%(male 437,511 /female 535,709) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 64.2 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 45.7 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 18.4 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 5.4 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 30.1 years (2018 est.)
male: 29.5 years
female: 30.7 years
country comparison to the world: 119

Population growth rate

1.49% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Birth rate

17.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Death rate

5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Net migration rate

2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Population distribution

population concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba

Urbanization

urban population: 92.5% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

4.097 million Tel Aviv-Yafo, 1.141 million Haifa, 919,000 JERUSALEM (capital) (2019)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.6 years (2015 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 204

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 80.8 years
female: 84.7 years
country comparison to the world: 10

Total fertility rate

2.63 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

7.3% (2016)

Physicians density

3.22 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Hospital bed density

3.1 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2015 est.)
total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2015 est.)
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2018)
country comparison to the world: 101

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,000 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 104

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2018)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.1% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 44

Education expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2016)
country comparison to the world: 33

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.8%
male: 98.7%
female: 96.8% (2011)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2016)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 7.3%
male: 6.7%
female: 7.8% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Government

Country name

conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form: Israel
local long form: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form: Yisra'el
etymology: named after the ancient Kingdom of Israel; according to Biblical tradition, the Jewish patriarch Jacob received the name "Israel" ("He who struggles with God") after he wrestled an entire night with an angel of the Lord; Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelites, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who formed the Kingdom of Israel

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Capital

name: Jerusalem; note - the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017 without taking a position on the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty
geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the last Sunday in October
etymology: Jerusalem's settlement may date back to 2800 B.C.; it is named Urushalim in Egyptian texts of the 14th century B.C.; "uru-shalim" likely means "foundation of [by] the god Shalim", and derives from Hebrew/Semitic "yry", "to found or lay a cornerstone", and Shalim, the Canaanite god of dusk and the nether world; Shalim was associated with sunset and peace and the name is based on the same S-L-M root from which Semitic words for "peace" are derived (Salam or Shalom in modern Arabic and Hebrew); this confluence has thus led to naming interpretations such as "The City of Peace" or "The Abode of Peace"

Administrative divisions

6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv

Independence

14 May 1948 (following League of Nations mandate under British administration)

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May

Constitution

history: no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws, and the Law of Return (as amended)
amendments: proposed by Government of Israel ministers or by the Knesset; passage requires a majority vote of Knesset members and subject to Supreme Court judicial review; 11 of the 13 Basic Laws have been amended at least once, latest in 2018 (2018)

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization
note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; 17 years of age for municipal elections

Executive branch

chief of state: President Reuben RIVLIN (since 27 July 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009); note - on 23 October 2019, following the inconclusive 25 September Knesset election, President RIVLIN tasked Benny GANTZ with forming a new government after Prime Minister NETANYAHU was unable to do so
cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Knesset for a 7-year term (limited to 1 term); election last held on 10 June 2014 (next to be held on 9 April 2019); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, tasks a Knesset member (usually the member of the largest party) with forming a government
election results: Reuven RIVLIN elected president in second round; Knesset vote - Reuven RIVLIN (Likud) 63, Meir SHEETRIT (The Movement) 53, other/invalid 4

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3.25% threshold to gain representation; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 September 2019; note - on 11 December, the Knesset failed to submit a name for a new prime minister and dissolved itself; new elections are called for 2 March 2020
election results: percent by party - Blue and White 26%, Likud 25.1%, Joint List 10.6%, Shas 7.4%, Yisrael Beiteinu 7%, United Torah Judaism 6.1%, Yamina 5.9%, Labor-Gesher 4.8%, Democratic Union 4.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - Blue and White 33, Likud 32, Joint List 13, Shas 9, Yisrael Beiteinu 8, United Torah Judaism 7, Yamina 7, Labor-Gesher 6, Democratic Union 5; composition - men 92, women 28, percent of women 23%

Judicial branch

highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 14 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, consisting of 3 Supreme Court judges, 2 Cabinet members including the Minister of Justice as chairman, 2 Knesset members, and 2 representatives from the Israel Bar Association; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Court for Administrative Matters; district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; special and religious courts

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Union [Nitzan HOROWITZ] (alliance includes Democratic Israel, Meretz, Green Movement)
Joint List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta’al, United Arab List, Balad)
Kahol Lavan [Benny GANTZ] (alliance includes Israeli Resilience, Yesh Atid, Telem)
Labor-Gesher [Amir PERETZ]
Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]
Otzma Yehudit [Itamar BEN-GVIR]
SHAS [Arye DERI]
United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah)
Yamina [Ayelet SHAKED]
Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]
Zehut [Moshe FEIGLIN]

International organization participation

BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN, CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ron DERMER (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador David M. FRIEDMAN (since 23 May 2017)
telephone: [972] (2) 630-4000
embassy: David Flusser St.14, Jerusalem, 9378322
FAX: NA
note: on 14 May 2018, the US Embassy relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv; on 4 March 2019, Consulate General Jerusalem merged into US Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission

Flag description

white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times
note: the Israeli flag proclamation states that the flag colors are sky blue and white, but the exact shade of blue has never been set and can vary from a light to a dark blue

National symbol(s)

Star of David (Magen David), menorah (seven-branched lampstand); national colors: blue, white

National anthem

name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)
lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)

Economy

Economy - overview

Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.Between 2004 and 2013, growth averaged nearly 5% per year, led by exports. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals, following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. Israel's economy also weathered the 2011 Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East insulated the economy from spillover effects.Slowing domestic and international demand and decreased investment resulting from Israel’s uncertain security situation reduced GDP growth to an average of roughly 2.8% per year during the period 2014-17. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. Political and regulatory issues have delayed the development of the massive Leviathan field, but production from Tamar provided a 0.8% boost to Israel's GDP in 2013 and a 0.3% boost in 2014. One of the most carbon intense OECD countries, Israel generates about 57% of its power from coal and only 2.6% from renewable sources.Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high in 2016. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2018, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$317.1 billion (2017 est.)
$307 billion (2016 est.)
$295.3 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 54

GDP (official exchange rate)

$350.7 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2017 est.)
4% (2016 est.)
2.6% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$36,400 (2017 est.)
$35,900 (2016 est.)
$35,200 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 55

Gross national saving

23.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
24.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
25% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.)
industry: 26.5% (2017 est.)
services: 69.5% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products

Industries

high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Labor force

4.021 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 17.3%
services: 81.6% (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.2% (2017 est.)
4.8% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Population below poverty line

22%(2014 est.) (2014 est.)
note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 31.3% (2010)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.8 (2013)
39.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 49

Budget

revenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Public debt

60.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.2% (2017 est.)
-0.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Central bank discount rate

0.1% (15 December 2015)
0.25% (31 December 2014)
country comparison to the world: 142

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.5% (31 December 2017 est.)
3.42% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Stock of narrow money

$100.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$79.58 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Stock of broad money

$100.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$79.58 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Stock of domestic credit

$290.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$257.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Market value of publicly traded shares

$243.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$200.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$203.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Current account balance

$10.12 billion (2017 est.)
$11.94 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

Exports

$58.67 billion (2017 est.)
$56.17 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Exports - partners

US 28.8%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 7%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.5% (2017)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Imports

$68.61 billion (2017 est.)
$63.9 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Imports - commodities

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 11.7%, China 9.5%, Switzerland 8%, Germany 6.8%, UK 6.2%, Belgium 5.9%, Netherlands 4.2%, Turkey 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$113 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Debt - external

$88.66 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$87.96 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$129.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$107.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$100.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$98.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Exchange rates

new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
3.606 (2017 est.)
3.8406 (2016 est.)
3.8406 (2015 est.)
3.8869 (2014 est.)
3.5779 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

63.09 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - consumption

55 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - exports

5.2 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Electricity - installed generating capacity

17.59 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity - from fossil fuels

95% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Crude oil - production

390 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141

Crude oil - imports

231,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Crude oil - proved reserves

12.73 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Refined petroleum products - production

294,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Refined petroleum products - consumption

242,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Refined petroleum products - exports

111,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Refined petroleum products - imports

98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas - production

9.826 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - consumption

9.995 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - imports

509.7 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - proved reserves

176 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

73.82 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 3.24 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 10.54 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Telephone system

general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East; mobile broadband 100% population penetration; consumers enjoy inexpensive 3G services; 4G cellular service; fixed broadband available to 99% of all households (2019)
domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; competition among both fixed-line and mobile cellular providers results in good coverage countrywide; fixed-line 39 per 100 and 127 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)
international: country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)

Broadcast media

the Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019)

Internet country code

.il

Internet users

total: 6,521,539
percent of population: 79.8% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 2.342 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Military and Security

Military expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2017)
5.3% of GDP (2016)
5.3% of GDP (2015)
5.6% of GDP (2014)
5.6% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 5

Military and security forces

Israel Defense Forces (IDF); Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense) (2019)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druze) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 32 months for enlisted men and about 24 months for enlisted women (varies based on military occupation), 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9-year service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), age 24 (women) (2015)

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 6 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 60 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,064,478 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 758,633,996mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

4X (2016)

Airports

47 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 92

Airports - with paved runways

total: 29 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 11 (2017)
under 914 m: 5 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 18 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Pipelines

763 km gas, 442 km oil, 261 km refined products (2013)

Railways

total: 1,384 km (2014)
standard gauge: 1,384 km1.435-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 83

Roadways

total: 19,555 km (2017)
paved: 19,555 km(includes 449 km of expressways) (2017)
country comparison to the world: 114

Merchant marine

total: 42
by type: container ship 5, general cargo 5, oil tanker 3, other 29 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 119

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa
container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,443,000) (2016)

Terrorism

Terrorist groups - home based

Kahane Chai (Kach): aim(s): expel Arabs from Israel's biblical lands and, ultimately, restore the biblical state of Israel
area(s) of operation: Israel and West Bank settlements
note: considered to be operationally inactive in recent years ( 2018)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 14,516 (Eritrea) (2018), 7,857 (Ukraine) (2019)
stateless persons: 42 (2018)

Illicit drugs

increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center

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