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Economic Overview

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

The Israeli economy has recorded one of the best performances of the OECD countries in recent years, mainly due to an increase in the working-age population and the participation rate. After an abrupt halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Israeli economy resumed its growth path in 2021 (+8.6%) and 2022 (+6.1% - IMF) thanks to buoyant private consumption (around 50% of GDP) and investment, with the resilient high-tech sector attracting venture capital. Moreover, the effects of the Russian aggression on Ukraine had a milder impact on Israel as the country is self-sufficient in natural gas, although the conflict is expected to weaken external demand in the short term. Therefore, the IMF projects growth to moderate to 3% this year and the next, as sustained inflation bites on household spending and higher interest rates drag investment.

In 2022, government fiscal spending was reduced as COVID-related measures were phased out and subsidies in agriculture eased. The strong economic performance led to an increase on the revenue side, contributing to the narrowing of the government budget, estimated at 0.6% of GDP (from 3.6% one year earlier). Nevertheless, measures taken to mitigate the increase in the cost of living will weigh on future budgets, with deficits projected at 0.9% of GDP this year and 1.6% in 2024 (IMF). The public debt-to-GDP ratio resumed a downward path, standing at 61.5% in 2022 (from 68% one year earlier, marking the sharpest decline in 35 years) with projections for a further decrease in 2023 (57.6%) and 2024 (55.7%). Consumer price inflation, at 4.5%, was lower than in most OECD countries, but still above the 1-3% target range set by the Central Bank, which raised the policy rate five times in 2022, from 0.1% to 2.75%. As the global situation normalizes, the IMF sees the inflation rate decelerating over the forecast horizon (at 3.6% this year and 2.5% in 2024), although the robust domestic demand calls for a continuation of the gradual tightening of monetary policy so as not to add to inflationary pressures. International institutions welcomed the country’s ambitious reform programme aimed at boosting infrastructure investment, reforming the vocational system and improving the business environment, as well as the measures taken to reduce tariff and non-tariff import barriers that could have a double positive impact in reducing the cost of living and spurring competition and productivity.

Israel has one of the highest living standards in the region, with salaries in line with the European average (the GDP per capita PPP was estimated at USD 52,173 in 2022 by the IMF). However, 25% of Israelis live in poverty and inequality is relatively high. Furthermore, households suffer from high real estate prices and costs of living. The Israeli labour market is tight, with a low unemployment rate (3.9% in 2022) and employment above pre-crisis levels, so that the vacancy rate has stabilised at a historically high level towards the end of the year. According to IMF estimates, the unemployment rate will decrease further to 3.8% in 2023 and 3.7% in 2024.

 
Main Indicators 202020212022 (E)2023 (E)2024 (E)
GDP (billions USD) 413.27488.53522.53539.22563.27
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) -1.98.66.42.93.1
GDP per Capita (USD) 44,85052,15254,71055,53657,064
General Government Balance (in % of GDP) -9.5-3.5-0.7-1.8-1.7
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) 70.768.060.957.655.3
Inflation Rate (%) -0.61.54.44.33.1
Unemployment Rate (% of the Labour Force) 4.35.03.83.83.7
Current Account (billions USD) 22.5721.0119.0918.8718.68
Current Account (in % of GDP) 5.54.33.73.53.3

Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , October 2021

Country Risk

See the country risk analysis provided by La Coface.

 

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Main Sectors of Industry

Israel has a diversified and technologically advanced economy. The agricultural sector employs 1% of the active population, accounting for 1.3% of GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country has an agricultural land of 638,400 ha (FAO) and its main crops are fruits and vegetables, cereals, wine, and cattle farming. Israel is almost completely dependent on imports to meet its supply of food products: its limited land and water resources preclude agricultural self-sufficiency and affect local production costs and consumer prices; nevertheless, the increasing technological progress and innovation, a high level of investment in R&D, and the potential expansion of water resources are among the primary drivers behind the agricultural sector’s growth. Israel has become a leading agri-tech country, “greening” the desert to grow most of the exported food. In 2021, agricultural exports reached USD 1.1 billion (CBS – latest data available).

Israeli industry excels in the production of chemical products (Israel specialises in generic medicines), plastics and high-tech (aeronautics, electronics, telecommunications, software, biotechnologies, etc.). Industry as a whole comprises 17.2% of GDP and employs 17% of the workforce (World Bank). Numerous companies, particularly those that produce state-of-the-art technology, have benefited from their ability to secure funding from Wall Street and other international financial centres (Israel ranks second, after Canada, in terms of the number of companies registered on American stock markets). Furthermore, many leading international hi-tech companies have established R&D centers in Israel: companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, IBM and Apple chose Israel as the site for their first development centers outside of the United States. Other important sectors of activity include diamond cutting, textiles and tourism. Overall, the manufacturing sector is estimated to account for 10% of GDP.

The majority of the workforce (82%) is employed in the tertiary sector, which accounts for 72.4% of GDP. Tourism remains significant despite the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: in 2022, 2.675 million tourist entries were recorded (as opposed to only 397,000 in 2021 and 831,000 in 2020, but still 41% below the pre-covid level). Revenue from incoming tourism stands at about ILS 13.5 compared to about ILS 23 billion in 2019. The Israeli economy is also at the forefront of hi-technology services industries. Although highly exposed to the real estate sector, the Israeli banking system is considered stable.

 
Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector Agriculture Industry Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) 0.9 17.2 81.9
Value Added (in % of GDP) 1.3 17.2 72.4
Value Added (Annual % Change) 6.7 6.0 9.2

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

 
Monetary Indicators 20162017201820192020
Israeli New Sheqel. (ILS) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 USD 3.843.603.593.603.44

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

 

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Foreign Trade

Israeli foreign trade represents 51% of the country's GDP (World Bank, latest data available) and exports, the backbone of the country's growth, represent about one-quarter of the country's GDP. The main goods imported by Israel include machine and electronics manufacturing  (15%), machinery and equipment (8.5%), chemical products (6.9%), and furniture and electrical equipment (5.3%). In 2022, manufacturing, mining and quarrying exports (excluding diamonds) constituted 91% of all exported goods, exports of diamonds represented 8% and the remaining 1% were agriculture, forestry and fishing exports (data CBS). A breakdown by economic activity points to a 91% increase in the exports of pharmaceutical products, with electronic components and boards rising by 31.7% compared with 2021.

In terms of geographic origin, imports came chiefly from China (13.3%), the U.S. (9%), Germany (6.6%), Switzerland (5.7%) and Turkey (5.3%); whereas exports were directed mainly towards the U.S. (by far the largest partner, accounting for 27.7% of total exports), China (6.8%), India (5.7%), the UK (4.6%), and Ireland (3.8% - data CBS 2022). Israel has a liberal import policy: in addition to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, Israel has FTAs with Canada, Turkey, the EU and EFTA. Furthermore, in 2022 it signed an FTA with the United Arab Emirates.

Israel’s balance of trade for goods is structurally negative, but the one of services is positive thanks to strong exports of high-tech services, such as computer consulting services, computer services and software. According to WTO’s latest data, in 2021 merchandise exports reached USD 60.1 billion (+20.9% y-o-y), while imports amounted to around USD 70 billion (+31.6%). In the same year, exports of services reached USD 71.7 billion, with imports standing at USD 32 billion (+36.8% and +20%, respectively). Thanks to the contribution of services, the World Bank estimated the country’s trade balance to be positive by 4% of GDP in 2021. According to the Israeli Statistics Office (CBS), in 2022 the trade deficit (goods only) increased by 19.6% year-on-year, as exports of goods increased by 22.8% and imports by 21.6% (to USD 66.8 and 104 billion, respectively).

 
Foreign Trade Values 20172018201920202021
Imports of Goods (million USD) 71,90876,59876,59169,98592,155
Exports of Goods (million USD) 61,15061,95258,50749,76360,159
Imports of Services (million USD) 28,57930,51631,94625,04232,073
Exports of Services (million USD) 44,68750,62455,51252,54571,785

Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Indicators 20172018201920202021
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 56.658.956.350.955.0
Trade Balance (million USD) -10,343-16,725-15,073-11,675-21,486
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) 6,8553,2048,99618,44419,305
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 4.47.23.2-8.120.6
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 4.95.73.7-2.714.6
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 27.329.027.023.225.5
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 29.229.929.327.729.5

Source: World Bank ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Forecasts 20222023 (e)2024 (e)2025 (e)2026 (e)
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) 8.00.73.03.33.4
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) 11.71.54.04.64.6

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

 
International Economic Cooperation
Israel is a member of the following international economic organisations: IMF, OECD, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC) (observer), ICC, WTO, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Israel click here. International organisation membership of Israel is also outlined here.
Free Trade Agreements
The complete and up-to-date list of Free Trade Agreements signed by Israel can be consulted here.
 

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2021
United States 27.1%
China 7.3%
India 4.5%
Netherlands 3.7%
United Kingdom 3.4%
See More Countries 53.9%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2021
China 11.6%
United States 9.4%
Switzerland 7.2%
Germany 7.1%
Türkiye 5.2%
See More Countries 59.5%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

 

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Political Outline

Current Political Leaders
President: Isaac HERZOG (since 7 July 2021)
Prime minister-designate: Benjamin NETANYAHU (since 29 December 2022)
Next Election Dates
Presidential: 2028
Parliament: 2025
Current Political Context
The government led by Naftali Bennett, supported by a coalition that comprised eight parties from different political factions including for the first time the participation of an Arab-Israeli party, suffered several legislative defeats in the Knesset and in June 2022 Bennett passed the baton to Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid who acted as caretaker prime minister until the elections scheduled for 1 November.
The parliamentary election saw the right-wing bloc led by Binyamin Netanyahu, with four parties (Likud, Religious Zionism, Shas, and United Torah Judaism) securing a comfortable 64-seat majority (out of 120 total seats). A couple of days before the end of the year, Netanyahu’s sixth government was sworn in. A change in the government policies will more likely happen on the domestic side rather than on the foreign one, although in light of the good relations between Netanyahu and Russian president Vladimir Putin Israel may take a more neutral stance over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Main Political Parties
The Israeli political system is based on proportional representation. No party is in a position to assume power independently, so political groups often co-operate and form coalition governments. The political parties represented in the Parliament are:

- Likud: National Liberal Party, right-wing, nationalist
- Yesh Atid (There is Future): centre, liberal
- Zionist Union: centre-left
- National Unity: a political alliance made up of the Blue and White party and the New Hope party, centrist
- Shas: zionist, populist, conservatism
- United Torah Judaism: right-wing, conservatism, religious
- Yisrael Beiteinu: conservatism, nationalism
- United Arab List (Ra'am): Arab political party, it is the political wing of the Southern Branch of the Islamic movement
Hadash-Ta'al: a joint list of the Ta'al party and Hadash political coalition, left-wing, endorses the two-state solution
- Israeli Labor Party (HaAvoda): left-wing.
Executive Power
The President is Head of the State and is elected by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, for a seven-year term. His/Her role is essentially ceremonial. The President chooses the leader of the party or majority coalition in the Knesset to exercise the functions of the Prime Minister for a four-year term. The Prime Minister is head of the Government and holds the executive power, including the execution of the law and the management of the country's current affairs. The Cabinet is chosen by the Prime Minister before being approved by the Knesset.
Legislative Power
Legislative power is Israel is unicameral. The Knesset (parliament) consists of 120 members, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. The Knesset can decide to be dissolved by a simple majority through a vote of no confidence. The Prime Minister cannot dissolve or veto the Knesset. Israeli citizens have significant political rights.
 

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COVID-19 Country Response

COVID-19 epidemic evolution
To find out about the latest status of the COVID-19 pandemic evolution and the most up-to-date statistics on the COVID-19 disease in Israel please visit the Ministry of Health’s Novel Caronavirus website, as well as the data dashboard provided by the Ministry of Health (in Hebrew).
For the international outlook you can consult the latest situation reports published by the World Health Organisation as well as the global daily statistics on the coronavirus pandemic evolution including data on confirmed cases and deaths by country.
Sanitary measures
To find out about the latest public health situation in Israel and the current sanitary measures in vigour, please visit the official governmental portal on the Novel Caronavirus. Further information is available on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Travel restrictions
The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new variants, evolves rapidly and differs from country to country. All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling. Regularly updated information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related travel restrictions in place including entry regulations, flight bans, test requirements and quarantine is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
It is also highly recommended to consult COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on the daily basis by IATA.
The US government website of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provides COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.
The UK Foreign travel advice also provides travelling abroad advice for all countries, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Import & export restrictions
For the up-to-date information on all the measures applicable to movement of goods during the period of sanitary emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak (including eventual restrictions on imports and exports, if applicable), please consult the website of the Israel Tax Authority.
For a general overview of trade restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Israel on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage.
Economic recovery plan
For information on the economic recovery scheme put in place by the Israeli government to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, refer to the dedicated page on the website of the Ministry of Finance.
For a general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) taken by the Israeli government to limit the socio-economic impasraelict of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Israel in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.
Support plan for businesses
For information on the local business support scheme established by the Israeli government to help small and medium-sized companies to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic on their activity, website of the Ministry of Finance. For news and updates, refer to the dedicated section on the official portal Gov.il.
For a general overview of international SME support policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak refer to the OECD's SME Covid-19 Policy Responses document. You can also consult the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.
Support plan for exporters
For the up-to-date information on possible support plans for exporters in Israel, if applicable, please consult the website of the Israel Export Institute and that of the Foreign Trade Administration.
 

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