In Israel, there are almost 50,000 illegal migrants amid the growing number of foreigners

By the end of 2024, a fairly stable picture of foreign residents without status had formed in Israel. The Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data that changes previous estimates. In the country, there are about 49,200 undocumented foreigners, including 26,700 illegal migrants and approximately 22,500 tourists whose visas have expired.
The flow of illegal entry has almost disappeared — the barrier on the border with Egypt has fulfilled its task. But those who arrived before its construction remained, and this forms the long-term part of the statistics.

Where they live and how groups are distributed

According to CBS data, by the end of the year, about 19,600 migrants without status and 7,100 children born in Israel continued to live in the country. The lion’s share are from Eritrea (77.9%) and Sudan (11.7%).
There is a strong gender imbalance: about 79% are men.

The areas of residence are predictable:
Tel Aviv and Jaffa — about 39%,
then Petah Tikva (6%), Eilat (5%), Netanya and Bnei Brak — 4.9% each.
Small enclaves are scattered throughout the central region, but the picture has remained stable for several years.

Tourists who did not leave

The segment of tourists from developing countries has decreased by about 5%. The main countries of origin have hardly changed: Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Georgia, Poland, Romania, Brazil.
They more often live in Jerusalem (17%) and Tel Aviv (12%).
This flow is considered more mobile, but at the level of final figures, it remains noticeable.

Overall picture of the foreign population

In total, about 260,400 foreign residents live in Israel — mostly legally: workers, students, clergy, volunteers, and family members.

The situation regarding work permits is sharp:
156,000 people have valid work visas, and the number of entries and exits of labor migrants in 2024 increased by 27.5%.
Main countries: India (22.8%), Thailand (21%), China (14%), Philippines (11.6%), Uzbekistan (8.8%), Moldova (8.1%), Sri Lanka (7.2%).

What they work as and how professions are distributed

Two-thirds of foreign workers are men, especially among those from China, Turkey, and Thailand. There, construction and agriculture dominate.
Women are more often in the care sector: Colombia, Georgia, partially the Philippines.

Employment structure:
— care for people — 38.8%
— construction — 33.4%
— agriculture — 20.8%

In 2024, 112,400 foreign workers entered — a sharp increase compared to 81,500 the previous year.
About 61,000 people left the country — less than in 2023, when the outflow increased due to the events of October 7 and Hamas attacks on foreign workers in areas close to the border.

Study, religious programs, and volunteering

By the end of the year, there were about 55,200 foreign residents on other types of visas. A third are students, religious listeners, participants in youth and volunteer programs.
Jerusalem concentrates about two-thirds of such residents. Smaller groups are located in Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Haifa.

The countries of origin are almost unchanged: USA (59.6%) and UK (14.1%). Volunteers most often come from the USA and Germany — this dynamic has been maintained for many years.

Israel continues to be a point of attraction for very different groups, and the statistics at the end of 2024 record not only the numbers but also long-term trends that will affect the labor market, social programs, and migration policy. The editorial team of NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency monitors the evolution of this picture.