CBS: Israel's population stands at 7.241 million

Israel's population grew by 1.7% in 2007, against 1.8% in 2006.75.6%  of the population, 5.477 million, are Jews
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) published last week its annual demographic report indicating that on the verge of 2008, Israel has a population of 7.241 million residents. 75.6%  of the population, 5.477 million, are Jews 20%,1.449 million are Arabs and the remaining 4.4% (320,000) are of other religious denominations - immigrants who are not registered as Jews in the Interior Ministry, non-Arab Christians and residents without religious classification.
 
The CBS noted that Israel's population grew by 1.7% in 2007, against 1.8% in 2006. The population increased by 124,000 in 2007, 88% of which was attributed to natural growth (births minus deaths). 149,000 babies were born in 2007.
 
Aliya this year maintained the decreasing trend it has seen in recent years, falling below the 19,000 new immigrants in 2006 and 21,000 in 2005.
 
The CBS noted that immigration figures do not include Israeli citizens who spent long periods overseas and have returned to Israel in 2007.