JERUSALEM (JTA) — The population in Israel rose to 8.081 million — 148,000 more than on the eve of Rosh Hashanah a year ago.
According to data released Monday by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the population grew by 1.8 percent, with 75.1 percent of Israel’s population, or 6.066 million people, listed as Jewish. Arabs made up 20.7 percent of the population. There were no significant changes in either group.
Those listed as others made up 4.2 percent of the population, including Christians and people without religious affiliations.
Last year, 163,000 babies were born and 40,000 people died.
In addition, there were 16,968 new immigrants to Israel in the Jewish year 5773, as well as more than 6,000 Israelis who returned to the country after living abroad.
The most popular names for boys were Itai, Daniel, Ori, Yosef and Noam; for girls they were Noa, Shira, Tamar, Talia and Yael.
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