World Jewish Population, 2018

At the beginning of 2018, the world’s Jewish population was estimated at 14,606,100—an increase of 98,400 (0.68%) over the 2017 revised estimate. As the world’s total population increased by 1.13% in 2017, world Jewry increased at about 60% of the general population growth rate. Jewish population was highly concentrated in two countries, Israel (45% of the world total) and the US (39% of the world total), 9% lived in Europe, 3% in other North America and Latin America, and 2% in other continents. A steady demographic increase in Israel was matched by stagnation or decline elsewhere, which was generated by low birth rates, frequent intermarriage, aging, and emigration. Most Jews are increasingly found in just a few more developed and democratic countries, with tens of communities now below a sufficient critical mass needed to sustain community institutions. This chapter carefully reviews different approaches to Jewish population definitions, the different sources available, and their highly variable quality and reliability. The critically important Jewish-Arab population balance in Israel and Palestine is analyzed. Vignettes on the largest Jewish populations— Israel, the United States, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, Germany, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Ukraine, and Mexico —are also provided.