Israel - Population

The population of Israel in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 6,433,000, which placed it as number 98 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 10% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 28% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 98 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 2.02%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 7,772,000. The population density in 2002 was 314 per sq km (812 per sq mi).

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 91% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Jerusalem, had a population of 668,000 in that year. Tel Aviv-Jaffa had a metropolitan population of 2,170,000 in 2002. Other large cities are Haifa, 249,800; Holon, 162,800; Bat Yam, 145,300; Petah Tiqwa, 150,800; Beersheba, 134,700; Rishon LeZiyyon, 150,400; and Netanya, 141,800. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000– 2005 was 1.8%.