New 'Apocalypse' Threatens Israel as Citizens' Future Hangs in the Balance
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – At least 1,370 doctors have left Israel between 2023 and 2025, according to a recent study by Tel Aviv University. The figure starkly highlights the worsening brain drain crisis from the country’s medical sector.
Citing Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (8/9/2026), the worrying findings were published on Sunday by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The study classified a doctor as having ‘left’ if they spent more than 270 days abroad during the first year after their departure and did not stay in Israel for more than three consecutive months thereafter.
The study’s author, Prof. Itay Ater, explained that economists had in fact been warning since 2023 of an accelerating exodus of skilled professionals amid Israel’s political and security turmoil.
“These concerns first emerged during the government’s judicial overhaul push and intensified after the 7 October 2023 attack and the war that followed,” he said.
The researchers highlighted in particular the departure of doctors aged over 45, a group that has generally completed specialist training and plays a central role in training younger doctors. Alarmingly, one in five doctors who left Israel during the three-year period was over 45, a trend described as deeply concerning.
The losses have hit a number of medical specialities hard. Around 116 ophthalmologists, dermatologists and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists were recorded as leaving Israel, equivalent to 6.2% of all doctors in those fields. In addition, 188 surgeons, or roughly 6% of the total, have also departed. The Tel Aviv region recorded the highest departure rate, with 5.4% of its doctors choosing to leave.
The findings add to an already heavy burden, after a report by Israel’s Ministry of Finance last week showed that around 24% of specialist doctors at general hospitals are expected to reach retirement age in the coming years. Meanwhile, another 25% have already passed retirement age but are forced to keep working amid the medical staff shortage crisis.
Ater again sounded the alarm that the trajectory of this trend poses a far greater concern than the current situation alone.
“This trend could worsen further after Israel’s general election scheduled for 27 October,” he warned.
The study adds to mounting evidence of a growing wave of mass emigration from Israel. Another Tel Aviv University study in August revealed that 268,509 Israeli citizens had left the country for at least three months between 2023 and 2025, a figure described by local broadcaster KAN as a record high.
The surge in departures has been directly linked to the ongoing war, skyrocketing living costs and the political crisis surrounding the weakening of judicial power. According to a Kantar poll in August, around one in five Israeli citizens has considered emigrating over the past two years, while a further 12% said the outcome of the upcoming election could significantly influence their decision to remain in the country.