Kesher Talk

Israeli immigration: Immigration is at its lowest point since 1989, with only 34,508 registered newcomers having arrived in 2002, according to figures released Sunday by the Immigrant Absorption Ministry. This follows a steady decline over the last four years, with 44,630 immigrants having come in 2001, 61,700 in 2000, and 78,400 in 1999.

The number of immigrants from the former Soviet Union also reached a 14-year low, with only 18,772 arriving, compared with 33,850 in 2001, representing 54.4 percent of the total.

Of course, not every country is sending fewer people. The number of immigrants from the US was the highest since 1999, at 1,714, 5 percent of the total. Immigration from Argentina, meanwhile, increased to 5,960, 17.3%, up from 1,427, 3.2%, or in 2001. French immigrants accounted for 6.7% of the total, 2,326, up from 1,157, 2.6%. Immigration from Ethiopia totaled 2,693.

posted by Howard @ 1/02/2003 07:41:32 AM