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Israel Population and religion percentage
Israel, officially known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia. Israel is a small country with a relatively diverse topography, consisting of a lengthy coastal plain, highlands in the north and central regions, and the Negev desert in the south. The State of Israel is the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is bounded to the north by Lebanon, to the northeast by Syria, to the east and southeast by Jordan, to the southwest by Egypt, and to the west by the Mediterranean Sea.
As per the United Nations World Population Prospects report, the population of Israel in 2026 is 9,585,963 (9.6 million or 96 Lakh)
| Israel | 2026 Estimates |
| Total Population | 9,585,963 (96 Lakh) |
| Growth Rate | 1.48% |
| Land Area | 20,330 sq. km (7,850 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 149 |
| Pop. Density | 440 people/sq. km |
| Capital City | Tel Aviv |
| Fertility Rate | 2.75 |
| Infant mortality rate | 2.9 |
| Median Age in Israel | 29.2 Years |
| Life Expectancy | 83 years |
| Urban Population | 93.2 % |
Religion in Israel
The State of Israel declares itself as a “Jewish and democratic state” and is the only country in the world with a Jewish-majority population. Jews make up 81% of the Israel Population and its ethnic religion of Jewish People. Other faiths in the country include Islam (predominantly Sunni), Christianity (primarily Melkite and Orthodox), and the religion of the Druze people.
The recognized communities in Israel are Orthodox Judaism (administered by the Chief Rabbinate), Islam, the Druze faith, the Roman, Armenian Catholic, Maronite, Greek Catholic, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Anglican churches, and the Baháʼí Faith.
Religion in Israel
- Judaism – 81 %
– Hiloni (40%)
– Masorti (23%)
– Dati (10%)
– Haredi (8%) - Islam – 14%
- Christianity – 2%
- Druze – 2%
- Others and unclassified (1%)
Source: census 2016
Israel Ethnic groups
Israel’s population is composed of around 75% Jews, while more than 20% are Arabs, almost all of whom are Palestinians from predominantly Sunni Muslim or Christian communities. Although Druze and other ethnic Arabs who do not identify as Palestinians make up a small portion of the population.
Ethnic Percentage
- Jews – 75%
- Arabs – 20%
- Others – 5%
Largest Cities in Israel by Population
| # | City | District | Population |
| 1 | Jerusalem | Jerusalem | 936,425 |
| 2 | Tel Aviv | Tel Aviv | 460,613 |
| 3 | Haifa | Haifa | 285,316 |
| 4 | Rishon LeZion | Central | 254,384 |
| 5 | Petah Tikva | Central | 247,956 |
| 6 | Ashdod | Southern | 225,939 |
| 7 | Netanya | Central | 221,353 |
| 8 | Beersheba | Southern | 209,687 |
| 9 | Bnei Brak | Tel Aviv | 204,639 |
| 10 | Holon | Tel Aviv | 196,282 |
| 11 | Ramat Gan | Tel Aviv | 163,480 |
| 12 | Ashkelon | Southern | 144,073 |
| 13 | Rehovot | Central | 143,904 |
| 14 | Bat Yam | Tel Aviv | 129,013 |
| 15 | Beit Shemesh | Jerusalem | 124,957 |
| 16 | Kfar Saba | Central | 101,432 |
| 17 | Herzliya | Tel Aviv | 97,470 |
| 18 | Hadera | Haifa | 97,335 |
| 19 | Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut | Central | 93,277 |
| 20 | Nazareth | Northern | 77,445 |