Country Profile: Israel

Israel is a parliamentary democracy located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Established in 1948, it has transformed into a regional economic and military powerhouse, largely due to its high-tech sector and defense industry. With a population of approximately 9.4 million, Israel is marked by significant diversity, particularly in its ethnic and religious makeup. The nation is currently navigating geopolitical challenges, including ongoing tensions with Hamas and its Arab neighbors, while maintaining a strong economy despite recent disruptions.

Geography

Israel's geographical location offers a unique mix of coastal plains, mountainous regions, and arid deserts, contributing to its temperate climate that can be hot and dry in southern areas. Covering an area of approximately 21,937 square kilometers, it has land boundaries with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Notably, the Jordan Rift Valley and the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth's surface—add to the country's distinctive topography.

21,937 sq km: Total area of Israel.
440 sq km: Water area, including the Dead Sea.
1,068 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
273 km: Coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
12.5%: Proportion of arable land in agricultural use (2023 est.).

People and Society

Israel's population is approximately 9.4 million, characterized by a diverse array of ethnic groups including Jews (73.5%) and Arabs (21.1%). Hebrew is the official language, while Arabic has a special status. The country exhibits a high urbanization rate, with about 92.9% of the population living in urban areas. The median age is around 30 years, and the population is youthful, with 27.5% under 15 years of age.

9,402,617: Estimated population for 2024.
2.89 children/woman: Total fertility rate (2025 est.).
83.1 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
92.9%: Urban population as of 2023.
65.9%: Total dependency ratio (2024 est.).

Economy

Israel has a high-income, technology-driven economy, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical tensions and ongoing military conflicts. The high-tech sector remains resilient, contributing to a GDP of approximately $540.38 billion in 2024, though sectors like construction and tourism have faced serious challenges. Despite these hurdles, the economy has shown signs of recovery, particularly in high-tech productivity.

$540.38 billion: GDP (2024 est.).
$47,300: GDP per capita (2024 est.).
3.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
8%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).
72.5%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.).

Government

Israel operates as a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature known as the Knesset, comprised of 120 elected members. The government is led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Jerusalem as the capital. There is no formal constitution; instead, the Basic Laws serve to provide a legislative framework. The judiciary is independent, with oversight by the Supreme Court.

6: Administrative districts.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
120: Total Knesset seats.
33%: Percentage of women in Knesset following the 2021 elections.
President: Isaac Herzog (since July 2021).

Military and Security

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are a key element of national security, comprising ground, naval, and air forces. Israel faces ongoing threats from various militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, making military readiness essential. The country allocates about 8% of its GDP to military expenditures and maintains a substantial reserve force for rapid mobilization.

170,000: Active-duty personnel in the IDF (2025).
400,000: Reserve personnel (2025).
8%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).
36 months: Compulsory service obligation for enlisted personnel.
Major Non-NATO Ally: Status with the United States.

Energy

Israel's energy infrastructure is evolving, with a significant reliance on fossil fuels and a growing emphasis on renewable sources like solar energy. The country achieved 100% electrification by 2022, supporting its high energy consumption needs. Israel is also tapping into its offshore natural gas reserves, positioning itself as a potential regional energy supplier.

100%: Electrification rate (2022).
22.612 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.).
89.5%: Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023 est.).
24.186 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023 est.).
63.964 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 est.).

Environment

Israel faces environmental challenges including limited freshwater resources, air pollution, and desertification. With a significant portion of the land used for agriculture, the country is working towards sustainable practices to address these issues while participating in various international environmental agreements.

24.8%: Agricultural land as of 2023.
30.4%: Rate of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
64.401 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).
1.78 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
5.4 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

Israel has a well-established transportation infrastructure including roads, railways, and airports. The country's merchant marine fleet comprises various types of vessels, ensuring robust maritime logistics. Key ports such as Haifa and Ashdod facilitate international trade.

40: Total airports (2025).
1,497 km: Total length of railways (2021).
41: Ships in the merchant marine fleet (2023).
5: Total ports (2024).
13: Heliports (2025).

Communications

Israel has a robust telecommunications sector with a high mobile phone subscription rate and extensive internet access. The broadcasting landscape is diverse, featuring both state-run and private media, contributing to a vibrant information ecosystem.

87%: Internet usage rate (2023 est.).
2.905 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.).
13.8 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.).
2.76 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.).
31: Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for fixed lines (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,402,617	Estimated for 2024
Area	21,937 sq km	Total area of Israel
GDP	$540.38 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3.2%	Estimated for 2024
Electric Generation Capacity	22.612 million kW	Estimated for 2023
Life Expectancy	83.1 years	Estimated for 2024
Total Fertility Rate	2.89 children/woman	Estimated for 2025
Military Expenditures	8% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	92.9%	Of total population (2023)
Recycling Rate	30.4%	Of municipal solid waste (2022)