1.IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL BY CONTINENTS
DURING THE LAST DECADE AND 1998
CONTINENT
1989-1998
1998
No
%*
No
%*
EUROPE
810,580
90.1%
49,265
86.9%
OF THIS: F.S.U.
768,079
85.0%
46,021
81.2%
NORTH AMERICA
18,448
2.1%
1,788
3.2%
LATIN AMERICA
15,439
1.7%
1,390
2.5%
ASIA
10,714
1.2%
572
1.0%
AFRICA
43,571
4.8%
3,514
6.2%
OF THIS: ETHIOPIA
38,780
4.3%
3,110
5.5%
OCEANIA
1,183
0.1%
130
0.2%
UNKNOWN
3,360
TOTAL
903,335
100%
34
56,693
*NOT INCLUDING UNKNOWN.
NOTE: THE ASIAN REPUBLICS OF F.S.U. ARE INCLUDED IN EUROPE.
SOURCE: CENTRAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS.
100%
2. IMMIGRATION DURING LAST DECADE BY YEAR
250
7000
6000
200
5000
150
4000
Immigrants
Total Population
3000
100
2000
50
1000
0
0
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
#
Immigrants
24.050
199.516
176.100
77.057
76.805
79.844
%
immigrants
2.7%
22.1%
19.5%
8.5%
8.5%
Total
Population
4.518
4.660
4.949
5.123
5.261
Year
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Total
76.361
70.919
67.990
56.693
903.335
8.8%
8.4%
7.9%
7.3%
6.3%
100%
5.399
5.544
5.685
5.828
5.970
6.120
3. IMMIGRATION FROM F.S.U. ACCORDING TO
REPUBLICS IN THE LAST DECADE AND IN 1998
REPUBLIC
1989-98
%
1998
%
RUSSIA
230,282
30.7%
14,450
31.5%
UKRAINE
242,072
32.3%
20,079
43.7%
BELARUS
63,176
8.2%
2,258
4.9%
MOLDAVIA
44,189
5.9%
1,194
2.6%
BALTIC
REPUBLICS
19,236
2.6%
680
1.5%
152,126
20.3%
7,138
CENTRAL
ASIAN REPUBLICS,
AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA AND
ARMENIA
NOT KNOWN
TOTAL F.S.U.
IMMIGRANTS
16,998
768,079
* Not including unknown
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics
100%
222
46,021
15.8%
100%
4. IMMIGRATION FROM FORMER SOVIET UNION BY
AGE LAST DECADE AND 1998
AGE
GROUP
1998
1989-1998
0-4
2,612
47,124
5.7%
5.7%
5-9
3,050
57,651
6.6%
7.5%
10-14
3,151
54,293
6.8%
7.1%
15-19
4,593
60,274
10.0%
7.8%
20-24
4,244
57,413
9.2%
7.5%
25-29
4,294
59,047
9.4%
7.7%
30-34
3,274
61,217
7.1%
8.0%
35-39
3,101
57,822
6.7%
7.5%
40-44
2,866
56,969
6.2%
7.4%
45-49
2,746
36,969
6.0%
4.7%
50-54
2,226
37,460
4.8%
4.8%
55-59
2,385
40,602
5.2%
5.3%
60-64
2,729
43,005
6.0%
5.6%
65-69
1,801
41,639
3.9%
5.4%
70-74
1,444
24,735
3.1%
3.2%
75+
1,515
34,175
3.3%
4.4%
TOTAL
46,021
769,842
100%
100%
Source:
%
1998
%
1989-1998
Central Bureau of Statistics 1989 – 1997. Ministry of
Immigrant Absorption 1998.
5. MAJOR OCCUPATIONS OF IMMIGRTANTS FROM THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION LAST DECADE AND 1998
OCCUPATION
1998
1998-1989
%
1998
%
1989-1998
4,100
82,250
9.1%
10.7%
PHYSICIANS & DENTISTS
800
16,900
1.6%
2.2%
ARTISTS & AUTHORS
750
16,450
1.8%
2.1%
NURSES &
PARA-MEDICALS
1,150
18,550
2.4%
2.4%
TEACHERS
2,400
38,700
4.9%
5.0%
46,000
769,850
100%
100%
ENGINEERS
TOTAL
Source:
Central Bureau of Statistics 1989-1997
Ministry of Immigration Absorption 1998
6. ESTIMATED JEWISH POPULATION IN F.S.U. ELIGIBLE FOR
IMMIGRATION UNDER THE LAW OF RETURN – 1998(IN THOUSANDS)
JEWISH POPULATION
ACCORDING TO 1989
SOVIET CENSUS
ESTIMATED JEWISH
POPULATION 1998*
TOTAL IN
F.S.U.
RUSSIAN
REPUBLIC
THE OTHER
REPUBLICS
1,480
570
910
540
540
215
CHANGE IN
PERCENTAGE
-64%
-43%
-76%
ESTIMATED
POPULATION ELIGIBLE
UNDER THE LAW OF
RETURN 1989
2,368
912
1,456
IMMIGRANTS TO ISRAEL
1989-1998
768
230
543
EMMIGRATION TO
OTHER COUNTRIES
1989-1998
470
-
-
84
-
-
NEGATIVE NATURAL
GROWTH RATE**
ESTIMATED
POPULATION ELIGIBLE
UNDER THE LAW OF
RETURN - 1998
SOURCE:
1,046
627
419
REPORTS OF THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY JUDAISM, HEBREW UNIVERSITY AND THE LIASON BUREAU.
* PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES OR THEIR CHILDREN AS JEWS IN CENSUS REPORTS.
** BIRTHS AND THOSE PEOPLE MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE LAW OF RETURN PLUS NEW SPOUSE OF
ELIGIBLE UNDER LAW OF RETURN LESS DEATHS
SOMEONE
9. WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT* AMONG
IMMIGRANTS OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991 - 1997
Year
Source:
Total
Population
Above Age 15
Belong to
Civilian
Workforce
Employed
Unemployed
1991
211.000
96.400
59.300
37.100
1992
295.000
153.800
109.800
1993
358.400
192.700
1994
414.000
1995
Percent
Belonging
to Civilian
Workforce
Percent Unemployed
Immigrants
Total
Population
45.7%
38.5%
11.7%
44.000
52.0%
28.6%
12.0%
155.400
37.300
53.8%
19.4%
10.8%
228.600
198.400
30.200
55.2%
13.2%
8.1%
517.000
268.900
243.000
25.900
52.0%
9.6%
7.3%
1996
568.600
297.000
265.700
31.200
52.2%
10.5%
7.3%
1997
619.600
332.000
302.300
29.700
53.6%
9.0%
7.9%
1998
652.200
351.800
310.700
41.100
54.2%
10.4%
8.2%
Central Bureau of Statistics Labor Force Surveys, October-December
* Accumulative each year from 1990.
12. ACTIVITIES TO ADVANCE THE EMPLOYMENT
OF IMMIGRANTS 1998
•Nearly 7,700 immigrants participated in 380 evening classes that were opened to assist
them in their career advancement. The topics of the classes included: computer
graphics, computer basics, CAD-CAM, computer languages, data processing,
computerized accounting, comptroller, English, Arabic and others.
•Some 2,300 unemployed immigrants learned during the year in 6 centers that operated
throughout the country for the purpose of helping people to find suitable employment.
•Some 1,750 doctors, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, accountants and lawyers
participated in 57 courses that were opened to assist immigrants get through the
processes of registration, licensing and professional upgrading.
• Employment-oriented Hebrew language training courses (ulpans) were set up in Haifa
and Beer-sheva (in the following professions: high-tech, medicine and social sciences).
•786 personal grants to artists, and sport people were approved.
•Project completion assistance was given to 248 immigrant artists.
•Aid from the Fund for the Employment of Artists and Sportspeople was given to 136
immigrants (a total of 1,210 monthly units of assistance was given).
•Financial help was secured for 40 immigrants who are members of the Olympics team,
and are scheduled to participate in the year 2000 Olympics (monthly stipends are given).
•The Ministry participated in a program, which found positions in government offices,
and in public sector institutions for 358 immigrants and returning residents who
are academics.
3. ABSORPTION OF SCIENTISTS
The Nature of the Problem:
Long-Term Absorption of Scientists.
General Background
•Until present time 13,275 scientists have immigrated and an additional yearly
immigration of 750 anticipated in the upcoming years.
•Approximately 9,800 scientists have been initially integrated into scientific employment
(8,390 of them received from the Ministry Absorption of Immigrant Absorption).
•The assistance provided by the Ministry is given for a period of up to three years. It is expected
that at the end of this period of assistance a portion of the scientists will be discharged from
their place of work.
•Effective absorption of scientists comprises a unique contribution to the growth of the
economy.
Objectives
•Continuing to help immigrant scientists over the long-term in the areas of their expertise
•Completion of the long-term plan for the absorption of scientists in universities and research
organizations after the end of the period of aid from the Center of Absorption in Science to
scientists (Giladi program).
• Activation of plan for the long-term absorption of immigrant scientists in universities and
research organization within the framework of the KAMEYA Program.
Source: Ministry of Immigrant Absorption
14. SCIENTISTS REGISTERED AT THE CENTER OF ABSORPTION IN SCIENCE
(C.A.S.) WHO FOUND EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR FIELD 1989-1998
15000
12000
9000
6000
3000
0
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Scientists registered at the C enter of
Absortion in Science
280
2250
5310
7630
9200
10140
10965
11700
12500
13275
Scientists employed
270
710
2360
4315
5985
7400
8250
8820
9290
9800
Scientists placed in scientific jobs with aid of
C AS
260
640
1910
3535
4895
6110
6750
7329
7790
8390
41
140
650
1480
2320
2915
3285
3475
3690
4040
140
270
570
1010
1270
1610
1800
1970
2125
2250
Scientists placed in private jobs with aid of
C AS
Scientists placed in university jobs with aid of
C AS
15. SCIENTISTS IN THE “GILADI” AND “KAMAEYA”
PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO YEAR
PROGRAMS
GILADI
KAMEYA
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
-
235
385
250
150
NEW PARTICIPANTS
235
150
100
50
30
TOTAL
235
385
485
300
180
NEW CANDIDATES
-
-
-
235
150
TOTAL
-
-
-
235
385
CONTINUING PARTICIPANTS
1.The "GILADI" program was created in 1995 when 530 scientists were chosen according to their scientific achievements up to
that time .
2.The selection of a scientist for the "GILADI" program was on an individual basis for a period of 3 years.
3.Beginning from 1999 the "KAMEYA" program (Absorption of Immigrant Scientists) will be put into operation to absorb
outstanding scientists who have completed the "GILADI" program in research positions, and in accordance with the academic
procedures in force in scientific institutions.
4.In the course of 1998 an additional 30 scientists will be added to the "GILADI" program, when they complete the period of their
regular eligibility to receive aid from C.A.S( Candidates over the age of pension will not be chosen ).
5.Approximately 85% of all the candidates chosen for the “GILADI” program are employed in universities.(The others
are in colleges research institutes and hospitals).
16. BASHAN TECHNOLOGICAL IMPLEMENTATIONS
THE PURPOSE
Establishment of a data-base comprised of the ideas and inventions of immigrant
engineers and scientists, assistance for the advancement of these ideas and inventions,
support for the establishment of new companies: raising financial resources, and creating
connections with industry both in Israel and abroad.
SITUATION AT THE END OF 1998
•There are 4 centers in operation throughout the country to gather ideas and
inventions.
•So far around 3,500 immigrants engineers and scientists who are technological
entrepreneurs have approached BASHAN.
•Nearly 3,000 proposals were submitted, from which around 2,800 have been
checked.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES DURING 1998
1. Referals to BASHAN
around 420 people
2. Presentations
around 340 project proposals
3. Checked and rejected
around 195 files (57%)
4. Handled and advanced
68 projects including
Source:
BASHAN
Administr
ation.
•Setting up 3 new companies
•Planting 12 projects in technological incubators
•Concluding of 14 agreements for alliances with both civil and military industries
in Israel (including one agreement with a company in the United States).
17. ENTREPRENEURSHIPS
GENERAL
The Entrepreneurship Unit is responsible for the development of both infrastructure assistance and also of a supportive environment
for immigrant entrepreneurs.
It helps facilitate the efforts of these talented individuals to actualize their entrepreneurial initiatives, to overcome the difficulties
inherent in starting to work in a new, unknown business environment, and to earn a decent salary in order to support themselves and
their families.
The purpose of the Unit is to reveal the entrepreneurial potential that exists among the new immigrants. Achieving this goal will
enable the immigrant entrepreneurs to be absorbed into Israeli society, having already gained economic independence. They are also
better able to contribute to the overall growth of the economy.
The entrepreneurship channel offers a long-term solution to immigrant absorption and contributes to the immigrant and his family
becoming firmly rooted in Israel. Consequently, it is possible to discern the broad national and social significance of the program.
PURPOSES
1.Exposing the new immigrants to an acquaintanceship with the Israeli business world, and offering them the tools and
monetary resources which best enable the flowering of their entrepreneurial talents.
2.Developing and advancing the regional infrastructure by means of a national deployment of counseling services, training
courses and professional accompaniment to actualize their entrepreneurial ideas, and to give support to already existing
businesses.
3.Financial aid for the essential initial investment to develop new businesses, and to take advantage of available business
opportunities.
4.Developing instructional programs and extensive projects that create broad underpinnings for the entrepreneurial initiatives
of the new immigrants.
5.Establishing cooperation and coordination with the relevant government agencies, and with the resource centers that are
investing in the immigrants’ activities and shaping their programs to fit the needs of the immigrant entrepreneurs.
Source: Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.
29. RETURNING RESIDENTS
The purpose of the department of returning residents of the Ministry of Absorption
•To increase the number of returnees from among the Israeli living abroad.
•To broaden the framework for maintaining contact with Israeli citizens living abroad and
increasing their involvement in activities geared for them.
•To improve the absorption process in Israel for returning residents.
Background Data
During the year 1991-1995 the number of returning residents increased and so did the number of
inquiries to the Ministry of Absorption. In 1996 a slight decrease in the number of returnees began, and
since then the estimated number has stabilized at an average of 12,000 a year.
Securing Employment Opportunities in Israel for Returning Academics
•In 1998 4 “Employment Fairs” in the High Tech area were organized in North America.
•Also, 3 meetings were organized in North America between representatives of “technological
incubators” and entrepreneurs in the area of bio-technology.
•In South Africa and Europe 4 Employment Fairs were held.
•In order to encourage artists to return, the Ministry assisted in the participation of returning
artists in a number of exhibitions that were held throughout Israel.
•In 1998 an Interministerial Committee of Director-Generals was established for the purpose of
encouraging the return of Israelis living abroad. The recommendations of the Committee
included improving the rights offered to individuals and developing unique programs to
encourage them to return to Israel. The recommendations of the Committee were approved by a
Government decision.
•A movie was produced to provide information to returning residents.