Immigration to Israel rose 18% in 5770

The Jewish Agency for Israel reported that 17,880 new immigrants came to Israel in 5770, up 18% from 15,180 in 5769.

16,560 immigrants arrived in 5770 from English-speaking countries, the FSU, Europe and Latin America, up10% from 15,000 in 5769. 1,320 new immigrants arrived from Ethiopia, up from180 in 5769. The pace of immigration from Ethiopia is determined by the government.

7,430 new immigrants, 40% of the total immigration over the past year, came from the FSU (Former Soviet Union) and Eastern Europe, up 16% from 5769 when there were 6,340 new immigrants from the FSU.

There were 5,130 new immigrants during 5770 from English-speaking countries, up from 5,030 in 5769. 3,350 immigrants came from the US compared with 3,120 in 5769; 380 from Canada, down from 460 last year; 740 from the UK down from 790 last year; 260 from South Africa down from 350 last year; 65 from Holland down from 45 last year; 50 from Scandinavia up from 30 last year. From the Oceania area, which includes Australia and New Zealand, there were 220 new immigrants up from 175 last year. This is the highest number of new immigrants from Oceania since the beginning of the �80�s.

There was a rise in the number of new immigrants from Western Europe - 2,420 up from 2,090 last year. From France there were 2,020 immigrants, up from 1,780.

There was also a rise in the number of immigrants from Latin America and Spanish speaking countries: 1,360 up from1,230 last year; 330 from Argentina (300 last year); 240 from Brazil (280 last year); 160 from Mexico (140 last year); 140 from Peru (120 last year); 120 from Venezuela (40 last year); 90 from Uruguay, similar to last year.

Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 6, 2010