A new study by the Israel Tax Authority reveals a sharp shift in the profile of Israelis moving abroad: the share of emigrants from the top income decile jumped approximately 80%, and the number leaving the high-tech and health sectors more than doubled. Emigrants paid about 1.2 billion shekels in tax before leaving, according to the study. The number of Israelis reporting large fund transfers abroad—over half a million shekels—also doubled.
The Israel Tax Authority's new study, reported Thursday, documents a significant shift in the composition of Israelis leaving the country. The share of emigrants from the top income decile rose by approximately 80%, and the number leaving the high-tech and health sectors more than doubled. Before departing, these emigrants collectively paid about 1.2 billion shekels in taxes annually, the study found. Additionally, the number of Israelis reporting the transfer of more than half a million shekels abroad doubled.
The findings add to a growing body of data on emigration patterns. Earlier this year, a Tel Aviv University study found that roughly 90,000 Israelis left for extended periods in 2025, warning of a 'critical brain drain' (The Zioneer, Aug 3). Data presented to the Knesset showed a net loss of approximately 140,000 Israelis between 2022 and 2024 (The Zioneer, June 16). However, Central Bureau of Statistics data from the first half of 2025 suggested a slowdown in the trend, with fewer leaving and more returning (The Zioneer, July 29).
The Tax Authority study specifically highlights the loss of high-income earners and skilled professionals, a pattern that economists have flagged as a strategic concern for Israel's economy. The doubling of large fund transfers abroad also indicates capital flight alongside the human outflow. The study's full methodology and detailed breakdown were not yet made public in the initial report.
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