Yedioth Ahronoth: Israel fails to find a demographic balance in Jerusalem

A report published by the Israeli daily newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, on Wednesday, revealed that Israeli attempts to create a demographic balance in Jerusalem have failed, because of what it called the “transformation of the Haredim.” In addition to this, “the relatively slow lifestyle” which forces students who are studying at educational institutions in Jerusalem to leave the city at the end of their education, means “migration is negative” in only one direction.

Data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics showed that last year, more than 37000 students studied in Jerusalem but only 12300 students chose to remain in the city.

The newspaper quoted the Director-General of the New Spirit Association as saying that in the 1970s young people would stay in Jerusalem once having completed their studies, but today this trend has differed because of the “changes in the Haredim” community.

Data published by Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies revealed that in 2011 “negative migration” from the city saw 1500 Israelis leave Jerusalem for Tel Aviv, while less than 600 people moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The report indicates that whilst the high cost of living in Jerusalem is similar to Tel Aviv’s Tel Aviv offers greater choice of working places and conditions. This is despite efforts by the Israeli municipality to transform Jerusalem in order to attract Israeli students and youth.

The report also showed that the Israeli municipality, in addition to other bodies such as “Eir Akadimeit” and university student unions, are working to create better workplaces, housing, places for entertainment, and cultural life for students.

The newspaper reported that “Jerusalem Day” (Wednesday) is now an official day when political statements about the importance of the city are made.