Israel lost 1,370 doctors for extended periods between 2023 and 2025
A Tel Aviv University study found that 1,370 doctors left Israel for at least a year between 2023 and 2025. Researchers recorded a net loss of 509 physicians in 2023 and 2024, while warning that not every departure is permanent.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Places in the report
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How the effects could reach youConditional effects
Event date: Between 2023 and 2025, 1,370 doctors left Israel for at least one year; the study also recorded a net loss of 509 doctors in 2023 and 2024. [1][2][3]
What happened
The study counted 416 doctors leaving in 2023, 530 in 2024 and a preliminary 419 in 2025. The 2024 figure was the highest annual total in the reported period. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Israel's medical exodus grows as nearly 1,400 doctors leave inside three yearsjpost.com · Article published: Sep 6, 2026, 1:00 PM UTC
After accounting for doctors who returned, Israel recorded a net loss of 509 physicians in 2023 and 2024, averaging about 255 per year. That compares with an average annual net loss of 54 from 2010 to 2019. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Israel's medical exodus grows as nearly 1,400 doctors leave inside three yearsjpost.com · Article published: Sep 6, 2026, 1:00 PM UTC
- DOCTOR EXODUS: Nearly 1,400 Doctors Left Israel In Three Years As Medical Exodus Nearly Doublestheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Sep 6, 2026, 8:31 PM UTC
Experienced doctors formed a larger share of recent departures than in the earlier comparison period. One account said at least 14% were experienced, while another reported more than 20%, indicating a difference in how the category was measured or reported. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Israel's medical exodus grows as nearly 1,400 doctors leave inside three yearsjpost.com · Article published: Sep 6, 2026, 1:00 PM UTC
- DOCTOR EXODUS: Nearly 1,400 Doctors Left Israel In Three Years As Medical Exodus Nearly Doublestheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Sep 6, 2026, 8:31 PM UTC
Departures were reported across medical specialties. Among doctors under 60, the highest rates cited were for ophthalmologists, dermatologists and ENT specialists at 9.4%, followed by surgeons at 8.8% and pediatricians at 6.4%. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- DOCTOR EXODUS: Nearly 1,400 Doctors Left Israel In Three Years As Medical Exodus Nearly Doublestheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Sep 6, 2026, 8:31 PM UTC
The study’s researchers said the loss could affect healthcare capacity, including longer waits for surgery and other treatment. That is a projected consequence attributed to the researchers, not a measured nationwide waiting-time result. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- DOCTOR EXODUS: Nearly 1,400 Doctors Left Israel In Three Years As Medical Exodus Nearly Doublestheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Sep 6, 2026, 8:31 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The study was conducted by Tel Aviv University researchers Prof. Itai Ater, Prof. Nittai Bergman and Doron Zamir. [1]
What happened before, and what is different now
A documented earlier episode helps explain a possible mechanism. Its outcome does not predict this event.
The earlier episode
Between 2013 and 2015, 705 doctors left Israel, compared with 1,370 between 2023 and 2025. [2][3]
What connects them
Both figures measure doctors leaving Israel for at least a year across comparable three-year periods. [1][2][3]
What is different
The later period recorded 94% more departures, and the recent study found a net loss of 509 doctors in 2023 and 2024.
What to watch here
The increase indicates a substantially larger staffing challenge than the earlier period, but the study does not establish how many recent departures will become permanent.
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [3] Israel loses nearly 1,400 doctors over past 3 years as medical brain drain accelerateynetnews.com
- [1] Israel's medical exodus grows as nearly 1,400 doctors leave inside three yearsjpost.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3
- [2] DOCTOR EXODUS: Nearly 1,400 Doctors Left Israel In Three Years As Medical Exodus Nearly Doublestheyeshivaworld.comReferenced for: detail 2, detail 3, detail 4, detail 5
Questions answered by the reporting
Does leaving for a year prove that a doctor permanently emigrated?
No. Researchers cautioned that doctors may spend a year abroad for fellowships, research or advanced training, although the rise among experienced physicians raises concern about permanent departures. [2]
Which areas recorded the most departures?
The Tel Aviv District recorded 429 departures between 2023 and 2025, followed by the Central District with 290. [2]
What this could mean for you
Some patients could encounter longer waits for surgery or other treatment.
A sustained net loss of physicians can reduce available clinical staffing, especially where experienced specialists are difficult to replace.
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Departures must remain permanent and replacement, recruitment or retention must not offset them.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
More doctors remain abroad rather than returning after training, research or fellowships.
The loss continues among experienced physicians and high-departure specialties.
Pressure eases if…
Doctors who are currently abroad return to Israel.
Recruitment or retention measures offset the reported net physician loss.
Still unclear
How many of the doctors who spent at least a year abroad have permanently left Israel is not established.
The sources do not quantify current waiting-time increases or show how staffing changed in individual hospitals.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
In the last three years, about 1,370 doctors left Israel for a period longer than 12 months, a Tel Aviv University study published on Sunday…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Approximately 1,370 doctors left Israel for at least a year between 2023 and 2025, nearly double the number who departed during the same three-year period…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Israel lost nearly 1,400 doctors over the past three years as physician emigration accelerated sharply, according to a new Tel Aviv University study that found…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.