Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. (The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted.) On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. Progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. Israel in 2005 unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS to head the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). In 2006 Israel engaged in a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006 and a 23-day conflict with HAMAS in the Gaza Strip during December 2008 and January 2009. Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU formed a coalition in March 2009 following a February 2009 general election. Direct talks with the PA launched in September 2010 collapsed following the expiration of Israel's 10-month partial settlement construction moratorium in the West Bank.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31 30 N, 34 45 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 20,770 sq km
country comparison to the world: 154
land: 20,330 sq km
water: 440 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,017 km
border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
273 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 13.68%
permanent crops: 3.69%
other: 82.62% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,250 sq km (2004)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.78 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.95 cu km/yr (39%/6%/55%)
per capita: 282.4 cu m/yr (2009)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limited arable land and natural freshwater resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti); there are about 355 Israeli civilian sites including about 145 small outpost communities in the West Bank, 41 sites in the Golan Heights, and 32 in East Jerusalem (2010 est.)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Jewish 75.1% (of which Israel-born 73.6%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 17.9%, Africa-born 5.2%, Asia-born 3.2%), non-Jewish 24.9% (mostly Arab) (2012)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Jewish 75.1%, Muslim 17.4%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.6%, other 3.9% (2012 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,707,042 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
note: approximately 341,400 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2012); approximately 18,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2012); approximately 196,400 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2011)
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 27.3% (male 1,077,081/female 1,028,192)
15-24 years: 15.7% (male 619,091/female 590,551)
25-54 years: 37.7% (male 1,485,292/female 1,422,352)
55-64 years: 8.8% (male 328,943/female 348,695)
65 years and over: 10.5% (male 355,049/female 451,796) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 62.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 45.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 17.4 %
potential support ratio: 5.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29.7 years
male: 29 years
female: 30.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.71 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.52 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 91.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.219 million; Haifa 1.027 million; JERUSALEM (capital) 768,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.3 (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 169
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 199
male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 81.17 years
country comparison to the world: 18
male: 78.96 years
female: 83.49 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.65 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 71
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.11 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 41
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.1%
male: 98.5%
female: 95.9% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2009)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12.1%
country comparison to the world: 98
male: 11.6%
female: 12.7% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form: Israel
local long form: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form: Yisra'el
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Jerusalem
geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the first Sunday in October; note - if the end of DST falls on Rosh Hashanah, then the end of DST will fall on the first Monday after 1 October
note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the Parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - in mid-2013, a prominent Israeli law professor was appointed to draft a constitutional proposal (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member whom he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task
election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Knesset (120 seats; political parties are elected by popular vote and assigned seats for members on a proportional basis; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 January 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - Likud-Ahi 23.3%, Yesh Atid 14.3%, Labor 11.4%, The Jewish Home 9.1%, SHAS 8.7%, United Torah Judaism 5.2%, The Movement 5%, Meretz 4.5%, United Arab List 3.6%, HADASH 3%, Balad 2.6%, Kadima 2.1%; other 7.2%; seats by party - Likud-Ahi 31, Yesh Atid 19, Labor 15, The Jewish Home 12, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 7, The Movement 6, Meretz 6, United Arab List 4, HADASH 4, Balad 3, Kadima 2
note: Ehud BARAK and four others on 17 January 2011 split from the Labor Party and formed the Atzmaut (Independence) Party; the Labor Party holds 8 seats in the Knesset and the Independence Party holds 5 seats; Aztmaut did not submit a candidate list for the election on 22 January 2013
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court ( consists of the chief justice and 14 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, made up of all three branches of the government and chaired by the Minister of Justice; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement age of 70
subordinate courts: district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; special and religious courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Atzmaut (Independence) Party [Ehud BARAK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Ron DERMER (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 364-5647
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO (since 8 July 2011)
embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903
telephone: [972] (3) 519-7475
FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390
consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Star of David
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)
lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. Natural gasfields discovered off Israel's coast during the past two years have brightened Israel''s energy security outlook. The Leviathan field was one of the world''s largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade, and production from the Tama field is expected to meet all of Israel''s natural gas demand beginning mid-2013. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$260.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$254 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$33,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 56.2%
government consumption: 22.9%
investment in fixed capital: 20.4%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 36.2%
imports of goods and services: -36%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 32%
services: 65.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.606 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2%
industry: 16%
services: 82% (September 2008)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.6%
note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 24.3% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $63.54 billion
expenditures: $73.65 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
66.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.75% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.16% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$32.48 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$208.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$192.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$145 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 33
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$609 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$62.32 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 27.8%, Hong Kong 7.7%, UK 5.7%, Belgium 4.6%, China 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$71.67 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 12.9%, China 7.3%, Germany 6.3%, Switzerland 5.5%, Belgium 4.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$75.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$93.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$75.94 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$74.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55.77 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.73 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.224 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.33 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
98.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,839 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
260,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 90
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
278,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
238,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
83,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56,420 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.65 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
720 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
268.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 43
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
72.1 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.594 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 44
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.225 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 84
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East
domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage
international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state broadcasting network, operated by the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), broadcasts on 2 channels, one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; 5 commercial channels including a channel broadcasting in Russian, a channel broadcasting Knesset proceedings, and a music channel supervised by a public body; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; IBA broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.il
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.483 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.525 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 51
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 95
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 763 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 975 km
country comparison to the world: 89
standard gauge: 975 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18,566 km
country comparison to the world: 115
paved: 18,566 km (includes 449 km of expressways) (2011)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8
country comparison to the world: 120
by type: cargo 1, container 7
registered in other countries: 48 (Bermuda 3, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 34, Malta 3, Moldova 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa
container port(s) TEUs): Ashdod (1,176,000), Haifa (1,238,000)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,797,960
females age 16-49: 1,713,230 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,517,510
females age 16-49: 1,446,132 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 62,304
female: 59,418 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.69% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 9
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 37,347 (Eritrea); 10,743 (Sudan) (2012)
stateless persons: 14 (2012)