Who Is Leaving Israel: Surprising Data from the Tax Authority

Israel's Tax Authority has released data on emigration for 2015-2024, showing a 50% increase in the number of emigrants, but the key finding is that among them there are now more affluent and economically active citizens. The average income of those leaving has risen by 60%, and the budget losses from departed taxpayers have increased by almost 150%.

On August 6, the Israel Tax Authority published a study showing that emigration from the country is changing its social composition. Over 10 years (2015-2024), the number of emigrants has grown by 50%, but the main point is that among them there are now significantly more affluent and economically active citizens. The average annual income of those leaving in the last year before departure has risen by 60% — from 125,000 to 200,000 shekels. The state is losing more and more taxes: the damage from departed taxpayers has grown from 500 million shekels in 2015 to 1.2 billion in 2024, that is, by almost 150%. The share of high-tech workers among emigrants has increased by 150%, and doctors and medical workers by 100%. The authors of the study do not name the main reason, noting the possible influence of the global labor market and the security situation. President Isaac Herzog, commenting on the data, said that his heart aches for every person leaving, and emphasized that Israel has no other country.