According to report issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS ) on the eve of the Jewish New Year 5766, the State of Israel's population stands at 6.955 million of whom 5.3 millions were Jews (76.2%), 1.4 millions Arabs (19.5%), and 299,700 classified as "other" - 4.2%.
Israel's Arab population comprises 20% of the total population; Jews and others comprise 80%.
The CBS noted in its report that Israel’s population rose last year by 124,000 1.8%, a return to the growth rates of the 80's. The growth rate among Jewish population was 1.4%, among Muslims was double the Jewish rate, at 3.3%.
There were 19,000 new immigrants in 5765, of which 46% were from the former Soviet Union, 18% from Ethiopia, and 11% (about 2,000) from France, Argentina, the US and other countries.
120,000 babies were born in Israel in 5765, or 7,000 more than the year before.
Israel compared with many countries has a very high population density. Average population density was 300 persons per square kilometer. The highest density was in the central and Tel Aviv regions 1,900 persons per square kilometer. The lowest density was in the southern region 70 persons per square kilometer.
