The official statistics for Israel's population are in, and the news is not great. The total number of people in the country (excluding the estimated 250,000 foreign workers) at the end of last year was 6.63 million, for a total annual growth of only 1.9%. This compares with a growth rate of 2.2% in 2001, and 2.6% in 2000. The only area that showed an increase in growth was Yesha, which increased by 5.7% - mostly in the hareidi towns of Kiryat Sefer and Beitar Illit. The Jewish communities in Gaza grew by 4.6%, and the total number of people in Judea, Samaria and Gaza as of June 30 of this year was over 230,000.



Beit Shemesh grew by a speedy 8.6%, and now stands at 53,400 residents. Even more impressive was Modiin, which grew almost 12% to 34,700.



The seven largest cities in Israel are:

Jerusalem - 680,400 (up 1.6%)

Tel Aviv-Jaffa - 360,400 (0.7%)

Haifa - 270,800 (down 0.5%)

Rishon LeTzion - 211,600 (up almost 1.8%)

Ashdod - 187,500 (up more than 3.5%)

Be'er Sheva - 181,500 (up 2%).

Petach Tikvah - 172,600 (up 1.1%)



Next on the list are Holon, Netanya, Bnei Brak, Bat Yam, Ramat Gan, and Ashkelon, followed by Rehovot with 98,800 residents. The largest Yesha localities are Maaleh Adumim (26,500), Modiin Illit (also known as Kiryat Sefer, with 22,000 residents), Beitar Illit (20,200), Ariel (16,300), and Efrat (6,800).