A recent study conducted at the Zionist “Tel Aviv” University has revealed a sharp increase in emigration from the occupied Palestinian territories, now affecting high-income earners and skilled professionals, including engineers and doctors. Experts warn this trend poses a serious threat to the sustainability of Israel’s economy and innovation capacity.
According to the Israeli financial daily Calcalist, approximately 90,000 settlers left the occupied territories between January 2023 and September 2024, including 50,000 in 2023 and 40,000 in the first nine months of 2024. This represents a significant departure from previous years, when emigration levels had remained relatively stable.
The Zionist researchers Itai Attar, Netai Bergman, and Doron Zemir from “Tel Aviv University” described the current wave as a “migration imbalance,” predominantly affecting young, high-income, and highly skilled individuals—demographics crucial to the economy.
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A new study presents data from senior economists at Tel Aviv University: More people are leaving Israel in the last two years.
What is interesting in this study is which populations are leaving. Bottom line: strong populations, educated people, doctors,… pic.twitter.com/iqBoNxiW6v
— Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده (@RamAbdu) November 26, 2025
Heavy Financial Losses for the Government
The study estimates that this exodus has cost the government around approximately $395 million in lost tax revenue in less than two years. This figure excludes indirect losses such as reduced VAT or corporate tax income.
The report highlights the departure of 875 doctors since early 2023, resulting in a net loss of 481 after accounting for those who returned—exacerbating an already strained healthcare system. Among university graduates, 19,000 left, including 6,600 in science and engineering and 633 with doctoral degrees, yielding a net loss of 224 researchers.
Over 3,000 Zionist engineers emigrated, leaving a net deficit of 2,330 professionals. Experts warn that such losses undermine the foundations of innovation and scientific research that the economy heavily relies on. More than 75% of emigrants are under 40, but concern is particularly acute over the departure of those over 40, who possess irreplaceable expertise critical to key economic sectors.
Warning of a “Point of No Return”
Zionist researchers caution that if this trend continues, the Israeli occupation’s economy could enter a spiral of structural decline that may irreversibly damage its productive and innovative capacities, potentially reaching a “point of no return.”
Source: Tasnim News (Edited and translated by Al-Manar Website)
