Interesting article on Israeli demographics

[BenReilly]

http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?intarticleid=16575&intcategoryid=1


In 2005, the Jewish fertility rate reached 2.7, the highest of any advanced industrial nation. While the fervently Orthodox contributed to this rise, secular Israelis and immigrants from the former Soviet Union also experienced increasing fertility.

When returning Israelis who have lived abroad — an average of 20,000 per year from 2001 to 2004 — and aliyah are added to the mix, the demographic weight of the Jewish sector grows even further.

In contrast, the absolute number of births in the Israeli Arab sector grew from 36,500 in 1995 to 40,800 in 2000. After rising slightly to a record 41,400 births in 2003, the number of Israeli Arab births fell in 2004 for the first time, back to 40,800.

The overall Israeli Arab fertility figure — which includes Muslim and Christian Arabs and Druse — declined from 4.4 in 2000 to 4.0 in 2004


I hate to say it, but in both Israel and especially the diaspora, the Orthodox are the saviours of the Jewish people.

[JBigjake]

Your point? 40,000+ 'Arab' births annually could result in an Israeli 'Arab' population exceeding 2 million in a few years, even considering child mortality & emigration, so there will still be a large minority population, no matter how many 'Jewish' people, (religious or secular) live in Israel.

[BenReilly]

The point is that the Jewish population in Israel is growing faster than expected. That the doomsday predictions seem unlikely. That in fact the Jewish and Arab birthrates might become similar in the next 30-40 years.

Of course there will be a large Arab minority. Israel is a small country for the Jewish people, but it doesn't have to be ONLY for the Jewish people. In fact, Jews would be much better off if the Arab standard of living improved in Israel.

[Rostam]

This kinda news belongs to "Israel" forum and thereby would recieve a warmer welcome.

[odessit19]

The point is that the Jewish population in Israel is growing faster than expected. That the doomsday predictions seem unlikely. That in fact the Jewish and Arab birthrates might become similar in the next 30-40 years.

Of course there will be a large Arab minority. Israel is a small country for the Jewish people, but it doesn't have to be ONLY for the Jewish people. In fact, Jews would be much better off if the Arab standard of living improved in Israel.

Some more good news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060507/bs_nm/economy_israel_buffett_dc

This would boost international investment, which would help Israel's economy.

[christopher d]

Sorry about leaving that post in here so long. Thanks for not feeding the trolls, btw.