The Definitive 2024 Count: How Many Jews Are There In The World Today?

The question of "how many Jews are there in the world" is more complex than a simple number, reflecting a history of migration, persecution, and revival. As of the most recent estimates for the Jewish New Year 5785, which spans late 2024, the global Jewish population stands at approximately 15.8 million people. This figure represents a modest but steady increase, yet it remains significantly below the pre-Holocaust peak of 16.5 million in 1939.

The latest data, compiled by leading demographers, highlights a crucial demographic shift: for the first time in centuries, the majority of the world’s Jewish population is nearing a 50/50 split between Israel and the rest of the *Jewish diaspora*. Understanding this global count requires looking beyond the raw numbers to explore the different ways a person is counted as Jewish, the major centers of Jewish life, and the unique demographic trends driving this slow recovery.

The Global Jewish Population: Core vs. Expanded Definitions

To accurately answer the question of the global Jewish population, demographers use different criteria, primarily distinguishing between the "Core Jewish Population" and the "Expanded Jewish Population." This distinction is essential for understanding the variations in reported statistics.

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What is the Core Jewish Population?

The Core Jewish Population is the most commonly cited and conservative figure. It includes individuals who, when asked in a socio-demographic survey, identify themselves as Jewish by religion or who are identified as Jews by another respondent in the same household. This group also includes people of Jewish descent who do not profess any religion but still identify as Jewish.

The consensus for the Core Jewish Population on the eve of 5785 (late 2024) is approximately 15.8 million.

The Expanded Definition and the Law of Return

The Expanded Jewish Population is a much broader category, often used when discussing the potential size of the global community. This figure includes the Core Jewish Population, plus all non-Jewish members of Jewish households (such as spouses or children who may not be considered Jewish under traditional *Halakha*), and most importantly, all persons eligible for Israeli citizenship under the *Law of Return* (*Aliyah*).

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The *Law of Return* grants citizenship eligibility to anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent, their spouse, and their children. The Expanded Jewish Population is estimated to be significantly higher, potentially reaching over 25 million worldwide. This figure is critical for understanding the pool of potential immigrants to Israel.

The Top 15 Countries: A Breakdown of the Jewish Diaspora (2024)

The global Jewish community is highly concentrated, with nearly 80% residing in just two countries: Israel and the United States. The remaining 20% are spread across the *Jewish diaspora* in over 100 countries and territories. The following list represents the largest Core Jewish Populations as of 2024, based on data compiled by demographers like Sergio DellaPergola and the Jewish Agency.

The Two Major Centers:

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• 1. Israel: Approximately 7.15 million to 7.42 million. Israel is now home to the world's largest and fastest-growing Jewish community, representing over 41% of the global total.
• 2. United States: Approximately 6.3 million to 7.46 million. The US population is stable but faces different *demographic trends* than Israel, with lower *birth rates* and higher rates of intermarriage.

The Next Tier of Major Communities (The Diaspora):

• 3. France: ~440,000. Home to the largest community in Europe, though it has seen emigration due to economic and security concerns.
• 4. Canada: ~398,000.
• 5. United Kingdom (UK): ~312,000.
• 6. Argentina: ~173,000. The largest community in Latin America.
• 7. Russia: ~132,000.
• 8. Germany: ~118,000.
• 9. Australia: ~117,000.
• 10. Brazil: ~91,000.
• 11. South Africa: ~50,000.
• 12. Hungary: ~45,000.
• 13. Mexico: ~41,000.
• 14. Netherlands: ~35,000.
• 15. Ukraine: ~32,000. (Note: This number is highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict and subsequent emigration).

These 15 countries account for over 98% of the world's Core Jewish Population. Other communities, though smaller, are vital to the global structure of *Judaism*, including those in Belgium, Italy, Chile, and Turkey.

Key Demographic Trends Shaping the Future of the Jewish People

The current global Jewish population is not static; it is being shaped by several powerful and contrasting *demographic trends*. The most significant trend is the divergence between the growth in Israel and the stagnation or decline in many diaspora communities.

Rapid Growth in Israel

Israel’s Jewish population is expanding rapidly due to two main factors:

1. High Fertility Rate: Israeli Jews have a significantly higher *birth rate* (averaging around 3.0 children per woman) compared to Jewish communities in most Western countries (e.g., US Jewish birth rate is around 1.5). This natural growth is the primary driver of the population increase.
2. Aliyah (Immigration): While natural increase is key, *Aliyah* (the immigration of Jews to Israel) continues to contribute. In 2023 and 2024, *Aliyah* saw spikes from countries like Russia and Ukraine due to geopolitical instability, as well as continued immigration from France and the United States.

Challenges in the Diaspora

Outside of Israel, the picture is more mixed. While the US community is large and relatively stable, many European communities are experiencing decline. Factors contributing to this include:

• Aging Populations: Many communities have an older median age.
• Intermarriage: High rates of intermarriage in countries like the US mean that fewer children are being raised exclusively within the Core Jewish Population.
• Emigration: Communities in countries like Russia and Ukraine have seen large numbers emigrate to Israel, Germany, or the US.
• The Impact of Anti-Semitism: Rising levels of *anti-Semitism* in various parts of the world also contribute to the emigration of Jews, particularly from Europe, often choosing Israel as their destination.

In conclusion, the 2024 global count of 15.8 million Core Jews tells a story of partial recovery from the *Holocaust*, defined by a strong, vibrant, and rapidly growing center in Israel, contrasted with a diverse and demographically challenging landscape across the *Jewish diaspora*. The future size of the Jewish people will largely be determined by the continued *demographic trends* in Israel and the ability of diaspora communities to sustain themselves.