16,884 new immigrants arrived in Israel in 2013. This represents a slight increase from the previous year. The number of immigrants arriving from France increased significantly, by 43%. Immigrants from France prefer settling in Netanya while Americans prefer Yerushalayim and Russian immigrants, Haifa.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics there was an increase in immigration of 2% in 2013 compared to 2012. Aliyah has been down significantly since the large influx of arrivals from the Former Soviet Union. During 2010-2013 an average of 16,700 new olim arrived annually as compared to an annual average of 88,300 from 1990-2001.

Breakdown of new immigrants in 2013 by Country:

Russia 4,026

France 2,904

USA 2,186

Ukraine 1,917

Ethiopia 1,355

Of the countries listed above, there was an increase in immigrants from Russia and France as compared to 2012. There was a decline among immigrants from the USA, Ukraine and Ethiopia compared to 2012. The largest decline was from Ethiopia, almost 80%. This was the result of a cabinet decision.

Of the total number of new immigrants in 2013, 13% moved to Yerushalayim, 9% Tel Aviv, 7% Netanya, 6% Haifa, 5% Ashdod, and 4% Beersheva.

Of the Russian immigrants in 2013, 12% moved to Haifa, 10% Tel Aviv and 8% Netanya. Among the olim arriving in 2013 from France, 22% settled in the capital and 20% Tel Aviv. Among the Americans during the same time period, 29% settled in Yerushalayim, 9% Beit Shemesh and 9% Tel Aviv.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)