This Jerusalem Day, the Jerusalem Research Institute has published its annual survey that found one in every ten Israelis is a Jerusalemite. The 38th “Statistical Yearbook for Jerusalem” presents a comprehensive picture of the capital of Israel, including the demographics and employment situation in the city. 

Here are some of the numbers:

• One in ten Israelis is a Jerusalemite: Jerusalem maintains its status as the largest city in Israel by a large margin — according to the population census data, in 2022 the total population of Jerusalem amounted to 1,005,900, more than twice the size of Tel Aviv.

• According to the 2022 data, 61% of the population is Jewish, undefined, or (non-Arab) Christian, while 39% of the residents are Arab Muslims or Arab Christians.

• In 2022, the population census included the foreign population for the first time, and found that the largest foreign population in Israel resides in Jerusalem, numbering 44,900.

• Planning and construction: In 2023, construction of 5,800 apartments began in Jerusalem, the largest volume to date.

• Employment: In 2023, the participation rate of Arab women in the workforce continued to increase, standing at 29%.

• Immigration: In 2022, the trend from previous years strengthened, with 7,600 Jewish immigrants choosing Jerusalem as their first place of residence in Israel.

• Higher Education: The 2022-23 academic year saw 41,300 students enrolled in higher education institutions in Jerusalem, the highest number of students in Israel.

• Tourism: In 2023, Jerusalem was the leading destination in the country in terms of the number of nights spent by tourists from abroad. That year, the number of overnight stays in Jerusalem stood at 2,735,400.

• Public transportation: Compared to 2022, 2023 saw a 13% increase in ticket sales for the various public transportation methods in the city. Within that number, 20% of the growth came from tickets for the light rail.

Effects of the war:

• 13,800 Israelis evacuated from their homes in northern and southern Israel were accommodated in hotels and lodging in Jerusalem for some period of time.

• The last quarter of 2023 saw an 80% decrease in tourist overnight stays

Editors Notes:

Article by Inon Shalom Yttach, West Bank & Jerusalem Affairs Correspondent, on the i24 NEWS Hebrew Channel

This article highlights the diverse and growing population in Jerusalem. In terms of medical care, Hadassah Hospital as the largest non-government medical institution in Jerusalem, plays an important role in providing comprehensive healthcare to its citizens.

In these challenges times, Hadassah is a beacon of hope and integral to the infrastructure of Jerusalem, as Israel’s largest city tries to cope with an influx of about 13,000 evacuees. Hadassah UK is supporting the New Gandel Rehabilitation centre which has partially opened and is taking in a smaller number of patients while the rest of the building is undergoing construction.

Since the war started, Israel is facing a dramatic surge in the demand for immediate care and rehabilitation which can go on for months, especially for serious cases like traumatic brain injuries, shrapnel damage, and severe limb and vascular injuries. The new centre will be a vital resource providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to the people of Israel in their time of need.