Country Profile: Israel

Israel, located in the Middle East, is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and shares land borders with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Established in 1948, Israel's population has rapidly grown, primarily due to immigration, and as of 2024, it stands at approximately 9.4 million. The country boasts a high-income economy driven by a robust high-tech sector and a significant defense industry. Governed as a parliamentary democracy, Israel has seen considerable political changes in recent years, including the return of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister in 2022.

Geography

Israel is situated in the Middle East, with a total area of 21,937 sq km, slightly larger than New Jersey. Its diverse landscape includes the Negev Desert in the south, a low coastal plain, and the central mountains. The country has a coastline of 273 km along the Mediterranean Sea and shares land boundaries totaling 1,068 km with neighboring countries. The climate is primarily temperate, characterized by hot and dry conditions in southern and eastern desert regions.

Highest Point: Mitspe Shlagim at 2,224 m
Lowest Point: Dead Sea at -431 m
Natural Resources: Rich in natural gas, potash, and copper ore (2022)
Population Distribution: Concentrated in urban areas around Tel Aviv and the Sea of Galilee

People and Society

As of 2024, Israel's population is estimated at 9,402,617, with a gender distribution of approximately 50% male and female. The ethnic composition includes 73.5% Jewish and 21.1% Arab, with Hebrew and Arabic as the principal languages. Israel has a relatively young population, with a median age of 30.1 years, and approximately 92.9% of residents live in urban areas.

Languages Spoken: Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status), English (widely spoken)
Life Expectancy: 83.1 years (2024)
Urbanization Rate: 1.51% annual change (2020-25 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 2.8 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Economy

Israel's economy is characterized as high-income and heavily reliant on technology and industrial sectors, with Real GDP projected at $472.177 billion for 2024. Despite the impact of the ongoing conflict, the high-tech industry remains resilient, although sectors like construction and tourism have suffered. The unemployment rate is currently 3.2%.

GDP per Capita: $47,300 (2024)
Economic Growth Rate: 0.9% (2024)
Major Exports: Integrated circuits, diamonds, and medical instruments
Budget Expenditures: Approx. $184.823 billion (2022)

Government

Israel operates as a parliamentary democracy, with Jerusalem as its capital. The Knesset, Israel's unicameral legislature, has 120 members, elected through proportional representation. The current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has held office since December 2022, following a recent election in November 2022.

Legal System: Mixed system incorporating English common law and religious laws
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Administrative Divisions: 6 districts (e.g., Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa)
Health Expenditure: 7.9% of GDP (2021)

Military and Security

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encompass ground, naval, and air forces, with approximately 170,000 active-duty personnel and over 400,000 in reserves. Military expenditures account for 8% of the GDP in 2024. The IDF plays a critical role in national security, particularly against threats from regional adversaries.

Compulsory Military Service: Mandatory for citizens at age 18
Military Equipment: Predominantly domestically produced or sourced from the US
Strategic Partnerships: Significant military support from the United States
Active Duty Personnel: Approx. 170,000 (2025 est.)

Energy

Israel has achieved 100% electrification for its population as of 2022. The country's energy consumption predominantly relies on fossil fuels, accounting for 89.5% of total generating capacity in 2023, with increasing investments in renewable sources.

Installed Capacity: 22.612 million kW (2023)
Natural Gas Production: 24.186 billion cubic meters (2023)
Solar Energy Contribution: 9.4% of total installed capacity
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 64.401 million metric tonnes (2023)

Environment

Israel faces several environmental challenges, including limited arable land and water resources, air pollution, and desertification. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements and is actively engaged in efforts to address these issues.

Urbanization Rate: 92.9% of total population (2023)
Waste Recycling Rate: 25% of municipal solid waste (2017)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 1.78 billion cubic meters (2020)
Air Pollutants: Particulate matter emissions at 19.47 micrograms per cubic meter (2019)

Transportation

Israel has a well-developed transportation network including roads, railways, and air travel. It operates 40 airports and 1,497 km of railway.

Ports: Total of 5; key ports include Haifa and Ashdod
Merchant Marine Fleet: 41 vessels (2023)
Civil Aircraft Registration: Prefix 4X
Railways: Standard gauge tracks covering 1,497 km

Communications

Israel has a high penetration of telecommunications and internet usage, with 87% of the population online as of 2023. The country enjoys a vibrant media landscape with both public and private broadcasting services.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 13.8 million (2022)
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 2.905 million (2023)
Broadband Access: 2.76 million fixed subscriptions (2023)
Telephones - Mobile per 100 inhabitants: 152 (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,402,617 (2024 est.)
Area	21,937 sq km	Slightly larger than New Jersey
GDP (PPP)	$472.177 billion	Projected for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3.2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	19.1 births/1,000	Projected for 2024
Life Expectancy	83.1 years (2024)
Military Expenditures	8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	As of 2022
Urbanization	92.9% (2023)
Energy Consumption per Capita	112.437 million Btu	Estimated for 2023