Abstract
This chapter examines the world’s Jewish population size, geographical distribution, alternative definitions (core and enlarged), changes over time, and their determinants. It examines the main methodological issues in the study of Jewish populations globally, including definitions and data sources. Jewish population size and distribution is presented by major areas of the world, individual countries focusing on the largest ones—primarily Israel (with the Palestinian territories) and the United States—and major cities and metropolitan areas. Some major determinants of demographic change are outlined, like international migration, intermarriage and the covid-19 epidemic. An Appendix details the criteria and technical issues involved in estimating Jewish populations globally and for each country based on consistent principles for data comparisons.
On January 1, 2023, the world’s Jewish population was estimated at 15,691,200—an increase of 100,800 (0.65%) above the 2022 revised estimate of 15,590,400. This estimate reflects a review of Jewish populations in 104 countries and territories with at least 100 Jews. The world’s total population increased by 1.61% in 2022. The rate of increase of world Jewry hence amounted to about 40% of that of the world’s total population. All world Jewish population increase derived from growth in Israel, while in most other countries the number of Jews remained stable or slightly declined. The largest core Jewish population was in Israel with 7,101,400, followed by the US with 6,300,000. Other countries with core Jewish populations above 100,000 included France (440,000), Canada (398,000), the UK (312,000), Argentina (171,000), the Russian Federation (132,000), Germany (125,000) and Australia (117,000). All these figures reflect updates of the data published in the AJYB 2022. An upward adjustment in the US, hence in world figures, entailed retroactive corrections for several previous years—demonstrating the paradox of the permanently provisional nature of Jewish population estimates.