Israeli flags in Jerusalem (file)
Israeli flags in Jerusalem (file)Flash 90

Since last Independence Day, the Central Bureau of Statistics said Thursday, Israel's population has grown by 157,000, and now totals 8,180,000.

Jews account for 75% of that total, with the Jewish population standing at 6,135,000. There are 1,694,000 Arabs in Israel (Muslims and Christians), as well as 351,000 “others” - non-Arab Christians and members of other religions – constituting 4.3% of the population.

Since last Independence Day, 178,000 new babies were born in Israel, while 42,000 people died. A total of 24,000 immigrants came to the country. Currently, about 75% of the country's residents were born in Israel.

In 1948, the CBS said, there was just one city in Israel with a population greater than 100,000 – Tel Aviv. Today, 13 other cities have joined that list, with six cities – Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rishon Lezion, Jerusalem, Petach Tikvah, and Ashdod now having over 200,000 residents.