Israel is experiencing its lowest population growth rate since national establishment in 1948, dropping to just 0.9% according to recent analysis by Jerusalem’s Taub Center for Social Policy Studies. The independent research institute’s report ‘Israel 2025: A Demographic Fork in the Road’ identifies emigration as the primary driver behind this historic demographic shift, marking the first time since the early 1980s that growth has fallen below 1.5%.
The comprehensive study reveals that approximately 120,000 more Israeli citizens have departed the country than returned over the past two years, creating a negative migration balance that persists even when accounting for new Jewish immigrants. Notably, while most emigrants were originally foreign-born, the report indicates a steady four-year increase in native-born Israelis leaving the country. Research director Alex Weinreb projects this negative migration trend will continue through at least June 2026, signaling a fundamental shift in Israel’s demographic trajectory.
Concurrently, the Israeli military faces a mental health crisis with suicide rates reaching alarming levels. Official data confirms 21 active-duty soldiers died by suicide in the past year, though Ynet news reports an additional 15 discharged soldiers took their own lives, bringing the actual total to 36. Military sources acknowledge preparing for ‘even more complex years regarding suicide concerns,’ noting that while combat operations have ceased, ‘the psychological burden remains on the shoulders of those who served.’
In a controversial decision, a military committee ruled that soldiers who die by suicide while off-duty will not receive ‘fallen soldier’ recognition, denying their families financial benefits typically granted to service members’ relatives. Since October 2023, there has been a documented increase in soldier suicides, with 279 recorded attempts between January 2024 and July 2025, including at least 64 since the Gaza conflict began.
Amid these developments, Israel’s Central Command commander has authorized doubling the size of the Homesh settlement in the occupied West Bank, expanding its jurisdiction to 1,537 dunams. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds defense ministry responsibilities for West Bank civil administration, encouraged the move that will encircle Palestinian villages and establish jurisdictional areas for seven additional settlements. Smotrich described this as advancing ‘de facto sovereignty’ to prevent Palestinian statehood, while peace organization Peace Now condemned the action as ‘establishing a massive settlement that will constitute an enormous security burden while stealing private Palestinian land.’