If the same rate of Aliyah continues, it is expected that between 26,000-27,000 people would move to Israel by the end of this year. Compared to the pre-Covid numbers of 2019, this year is however a lower figure than in 2019 when 33,500 olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel.

To date, more than 3,340,000 immigrants have made aliyah since the State of Israel’s establishment.

The number of people who thus far made Aliyah — immigrate to Israel — in 2021 has strongly increased compared to last year, according to a report by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

“Israel has continued seeing a dramatic rise in Aliyah despite the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency ensuring that immigration continues despite the difficulty and limitations on international travel,” the statement on the report said.

The easing of coronavirus restrictions is in part attributable for 20,360 people moving to Israel over the last three quarters — a 31 percent increase over the 15,598 indiviudals who immigrated to Israel in 2020.

If the same rate of Aliyah continues, it is expected that between 26,000-27,000 people would move to Israel by the end of this year. Compared to the pre-Covid numbers of 2019, this year is however a lower figure than in 2019 when 33,500 olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel.

The largest source of immigrants in 2021 has been from Russia, with over 5,000 people arriving, followed by 3,104 from the U.S. The latter figure already marks a 41 percent increase over 2020. Meanwhile, 2,819 people arrived from France and 2,123 from Ukraine. In addition, 1,589 have come from Ethiopia, primarily due to Operation Zur Israel, led by the Jewish Agency and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, which aims to reunite families.

More than half of this year’s olim are under age 35, with about 23.4 percent falling in the 0-17 age group, 33.4 percent being between 18-35, 16.3 percent between ages 36-50, 13 percent between 51-64 and 13.9 percent over 65.

Most of the olim are employed in the service and commerce industries, while 5.2 percent work in technology and engineering and 4.2 percent work in the medical field, according to the data.

The new immigrants’ preferred destination this year has been Jerusalem, which is currently home to 2,184 of the olim. Tel Aviv is a close second at 2,122, while Netanya is home to 2,031, Haifa to 1,410 and 744 to Ashdod. Ra’anana, Beit Shemesh, Nahariya, Beersheva and Bat Yam have all absorbed 600 to 700 immigrants.

Yom HaAliyah, established by the Knesset in 2016, is celebrated on the seventh day of the Jewish month of Cheshvan and coincides with the Torah portion of Lech Lecha, in which God commands Abraham to go to the land of Israel. The aim of the holiday is to celebrate the development of Israel as a multicultural society and emphasize the importance of aliyah to Israel, according to the J.A.

Several events will be held in Israel throughout the week to celebrate the contributions of olim to the country.

Jewish Agency acting chairman of the executive Yaakov Hagoel remarked, “I’m moved by each and every aliyah flight. Despite the challenging period and many limitations brought on by the global pandemic, since the beginning of the year, there’s been a significant increase in olim in comparison to a similar period last year. Olim from across the globe chose to come and build their future in Israel. These olim are a strategic asset to the State of Israel and contribute to every aspect of life. We all must contribute to their integration. We are strengthened by each oleh who comes to Israel.”

To date, more than 3,340,000 immigrants have made aliyah since the state’s establishment.