Tel Aviv University study finds 'dramatic spike' in Israeli emigration, doctors among hardest hit

A recent study by Tel Aviv University has found a significant rise in emigration from Israel in recent years, particularly among highly skilled professionals, with doctors among the most affected groups, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz on Monday. The study, titled "Recent Findings on Israeli Emigration: Numbers and Characteristics of Emigrants," examined migration trends over the past 15 years, with a focus on developments since 2023, including the impact of judicial reforms, public protests, and the Gaza war.

Doctor exodus

According to the findings, about 950 doctors left Israel between 2023 and 2024, or 510 when accounting for those who returned. The study also found that two-thirds of doctors who left in 2024 were graduates of Israeli medical schools, a higher proportion than in previous years. "In January 2023, we published the economists' letter … and one of the things we pointed out was the fear that it would lead to the departure of quality human capital," said Prof. Itai Ater, one of the study's authors. "In the current study, we wanted to see if there are statistics supporting that concern … To my regret, we found that in 2023 and 2024 there was a large and even dramatic spike in the numbers leaving."

Overall emigration

The study estimates that around 100,000 Israelis left the country in 2023 and 2024 combined, roughly 50,000 each year, marking a notable shift after years of relative stability in migration patterns. "Among the departees we identified a significant and worrisome increase in doctors, Ph.D recipients and other academics, engineers and high earners," the researchers said, adding that a slowdown in return migration is worsening the outflow of human capital.

Experienced professionals leaving

The findings also indicate that many departing doctors are experienced professionals. "We found that there are more doctors leaving at the age of 40 or over … These are established doctors, with knowledge and experience," Ater said, suggesting the loss could have a deeper impact on the health care system than younger, less-experienced emigrants.

Economic warning

While the study noted that the trend does not yet pose an immediate threat to the Israeli economy, it warned that continued increases could lead to serious consequences. "Additional economic shocks—political, economic, or security-related—may well lead to a sharp and sudden uptick in the extent of emigration," the researchers said, warning that failure to address the trend could pose "a very great risk to the country."

Conflict context

The findings come as Israel's war on Gaza, now in its third year, has killed over 72,000 Palestinians and devastated Gaza's civilian infrastructure. The conflict has expanded to include ongoing exchanges with Iran and a ground offensive in Lebanon that has displaced over one million people. Israel's economy suffered losses exceeding $57 billion during the first two years of the Gaza war, with additional costs from the Iran conflict not yet accounted for.