For immediate release:
May 27, 2014
The 47th Jerusalem Day
Brachie Sprung, Mayor's Adviser for Foreign Affairs & International Media

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics: Young People are Choosing
Jerusalem
*The growth in Zionist education is continuing after a decade and a half of
decline
* Half of the people moving to Jerusalem are young people aged 20-34
* The number of young people leaving the city has declined by approximately
70% in the last 4 years
* A record number of new building projects began in the capital during 2013,
breaking the previous record which stood for 20 years
* Approximately 7 million people visited cultural events, festivals and
cultural institutions in the city during 2013
* 92% of Jerusalem's residents are happy with their lives
* Jerusalem's residents are the most optimistic in Israel in regard to their
future.

Mayor Nir Barkat: "The residents of Jerusalem feel the youthful energy
coursing through Israel's capital, and are enjoying the great wave of
development enveloping Jerusalem."

In the 47th year to the unification of Jerusalem, Israel's capital is
establishing itself as the leading city in Israel.

Jerusalem is leading in housing, culture and the arts, education, tourism
and in national events. Jerusalem is experiencing growth in all fields, and
is drawing visitors from around the world.

The education in the Zionist sector (state and state-religious) is
continuing to grow after a decade and a half of continuous decline. The past
four years have seen continuous growth in state and state-religious
education systems from 58,908 students in the beginning of the 2010-2011
school year, to 62,941 students in the beginning of the 2013-2014 school
year. Registration to first grade in the state and state-religious education
systems is expected to increase by 5% in the 2014-2015 school year. The rise
in the percentage of matriculation eligibility in the city is continuing:
76% in the state-religious education system (compared with 71% who were
eligible last year) and 69% in the state education system (compared with 66%
who were eligible last year).

Approximately 30,000 young people have moved to Jerusalem in the last four
years. Most of the people who moved to Jerusalem in 2012 are young people
between the ages of 20 and 34, who constituted 51% of all those moving into
Jerusalem (5,330) from the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and the Jerusalem
metropolitan area. The main cities to which people move when they leave
Jerusalem are: Tel Aviv, Beit Shemesh, Modi'in Illit, Bnei Brak and Beitar
Illit.

A record number of new building projects began in the city during 2013,
breaking the previous record which stood for 20 years. In the last three
years, the municipality has approved plans for the construction of 15,651
new residential units throughout the entire city. Approximately 7 million
people visited cultural events, festivals and cultural institutions in the
city during 2013. Approximately 4 million tourists stayed in Jerusalem,
overtaking the number of tourists in Haifa and Tel Aviv. The revenue from
the hi-tech industry in Jerusalem: nearly NIS 12 billion, compared with only
NIS 6.7 billion in Tel Aviv and NIS 7 billion in Haifa. The municipality is
advancing the construction of 4 million square meters for businesses and
employment, which will add 100,000 new jobs to the city. 2,335 new
immigrants settled in Jerusalem during 2013, 959 of them between the ages of
19 and 30. These immigrants constitute 13% of all new immigrants arriving to
Israel, twice as many as Tel Aviv (1,060) and Haifa (1,130). The residents
of Jerusalem are happy with their life in the city: 92% of Jerusalem's
residents are happy with their lives, compared with 88% in Israel, 86% in
Tel Aviv and 81% in Haifa. Jerusalem's residents are also the most
optimistic in Israel in regard to their future: 63% of the residents
estimated that their life in the future will be better. This rate is a bit
higher than the rate in Israel (59%), in Tel Aviv (57%) and in Haifa (54%).

Mayor Nir Barkat: "The residents of Jerusalem feel the youthful energy
coursing through the city, and are enjoying the great wave of development
enveloping Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a modern, attractive and leading city,
which attracts young people who enjoy the culture, sport, leisure, excellent
education and quality of life that exists only in Jerusalem. We are
continuing to develop the city together with the residents, and are
investing all of our resources in developing Israel's capital for future
generations. It is a great privilege."

A City on the Rise
+ The construction of a record number of residential units began in
Jerusalem during 2013, breaking the previous record which stood for 20
years.
+ In the past three years, the municipality has approved plans for the
construction of 15,651 new residential units throughout the entire city.
+ Most people who moved to Jerusalem are young people aged 20 and 34.
+ Approximately 7 million people visited cultural events, festivals and
cultural institutions in the city during 2013.
+ Jerusalem is a leading city for tourism. Approximately 4 million
tourists stayed in Jerusalem during 2012, a 22% increase in comparison to
2011.
+ Revenue from the hi-tech industry in Jerusalem: nearly NIS 12 billion,
compared with only NIS 6.7 billion in Tel Aviv and NIS 7 billion in Haifa.
+ The municipality is advancing the construction of 4 million square
meters for businesses and employment, which will add 100,000 new jobs to the
city.
+ 2,335 new immigrants settled in Jerusalem during 2013, 959 of them
between the ages of 19 and 30. These immigrants constitute 13% of all new
immigrants arriving to Israel, twice as many as in Tel Aviv (1,060) and
Haifa (1,130).
+ The residents of Jerusalem are happy with their life in the city: 92%
of Jerusalem's residents are happy with their lives, compared with 88% in
Israel, 86% in Tel Aviv and 81% in Haifa.
+ Jerusalem's residents are the most optimistic about their life in the
future. 63% of the residents estimated that their life in the future will be
better. This rate is a bit higher than the rate in Israel (59%), in Tel Aviv
(57%) and in Haifa (54%).

Building and Housing
+ 2013 was a record regarding the number of residential units whose
construction began, and the number of residential units whose construction
ended.
+ The construction of a record number of residential units started in
Jerusalem during 2013, breaking the previous record which stood for 20
years – the construction of 3,442 apartments began in 2013, compared with
2,470 in 2012 and 2,360 in 2011.
+ Jerusalem also leads in the percentage of apartments whose construction
ended, when compared with Tel Aviv and Haifa. In 2013, the percentage of
apartments whose construction ended in Jerusalem constituted 6% of all the
apartments whose construction ended in Israel, higher than Tel Aviv (4%) and
Haifa (2%).
+ In the last three years, the municipality has approved plans for the
construction of 15,651 new residential units throughout the entire city.
+ Evacuation and renewal for bureaucracy: This year, the mayor has
announced a plan of "evacuation and renewal for bureaucracy", a reform which
is the first of its kind in Israel. As part of this plan, the municipality
of Jerusalem will assume the responsibility of leading urban renewal
projects. The plan includes a new municipal policy for encouraging,
incentivizing and accompanying the residents and the entrepreneurs in urban
renewal projects.

Young People are Choosing Jerusalem
+ 10,450 new residents moved to Jerusalem from various areas of the
country during 2012.
+ Most those who moved to Jerusalem are young people between the ages of
20 and 34, who constituted 51% of all those moving into Jerusalem (5,330).
+ The number of young people leaving the city has declined by
approximately 70% in the last 4 years.
+ The municipality is investing in empowering young people: we founded
the Young People's Authority, we inaugurated a youth center built at an
investment of NIS 15 million, we assisted in establishing dozens of
communities of young idealists in various neighborhoods, we will expand the
young neighborhood project, we dramatically broadened the cultural life
available to young people, while at the same time creating new employment
and housing solutions for young people.

Education
+ The state and state-religious education systems are continuing to grow
after a decade and a half of continuous decline.
+ The past four years have seen continuous growth in state and
state-religious education systems from 58,908 students in the beginning of
the 2010-2011 school year, to 62,941 students in the beginning of the
2013-2014 school year.
+ Registration to first grade in the state and state-religious education
systems is expected to increase by 5% in the 2014-2015 school year.
+ The rise in the percentage of matriculation eligibility in the city is
continuing: 76% in the state-religious education system (compared with 71%
who were eligible last year) and 69% in the state education system (compared
with 66% who were eligible last year).
+ Discounted afternoon programs operate throughout the city and are
available to all the children who attend municipal kindergartens. In the
coming year, first and second graders will also enjoy high quality
discounted afternoon programs at an affordable price.
+ 38,100 students, who constitute 14% of all the students in Israel,
attended higher education institutions in Jerusalem. 20,300 students
attended the Hebrew University, 11,800 students attended seven academic
colleges, and 6,000 attended five academic colleges of education.

Tens of Thousands of New Jobs in the City
+ The municipality is advancing the construction of 4 million square
meters for businesses and employment in the new business district which is
being at the entrance to the city, in Talpiot, in Giva'at Shaul, Malcha, Har
Hotzvim, the east of the city and more.
+ A record number of 50,000 new jobs were created in Jerusalem between
2008 and 2012, and the municipality is advancing the addition of a further
100,000 new jobs in the next couple of years.
+ The number of employed people in Jerusalem – 293,800 – 9% of all those
employed in Israel.
+ The percentage of women in the workplace in Jerusalem (82%) is higher
than the percentage of men in the workplace (71%).
+ 75% of those employed in Jerusalem are city residents, 11% are
residents of Judea and Samaria, 6% are residents of the Jerusalem district
and 1% are residents of Tel Aviv.
+ 48% of those employed in the city work in the public service sector
(compared with only 27% in Tel Aviv).
+ Revenue from the hi-tech industry in Jerusalem: nearly NIS 12 billion,
compared with only NIS 6.7 billion in Tel Aviv and NIS 7 billion in Haifa.

Approximately 4 Million Tourists
+ Jerusalem is a leader in tourism.
+ The number of stays at Jerusalem hotels was 3,893,300, which
constituted 17% of all tourist stays in Israel.
+ The number of Israeli stays in 2013 was 836,200, compared with 762,400
stays in 2012, 684,900 stays in 2011 and 653,900 stays in 2010.
+ The revenue from hotels in Jerusalem reached NIS 2.76 billion.
+ Jerusalem leads in the average length of stay per tourist – 3.4 nights,
compared with 3.2 in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
+ Jerusalem offers over 9,300 hotel rooms, and the municipality is
planning to add 5,400 rooms over the next five years.
+ 80% of tourists entering Israel visit Jerusalem.

A Capital of Sports and Culture
+ Approximately 7 million people visited culture events, festivals and
cultural institutions in the city during 2013.
+ The number of culture events and festivals taking place in Jerusalem
has increased by 300%.
+ The municipal budget for supporting cultural events has increased 8
fold.
+ Many events are planned to take place in the city during the summer:
The Light Festival, The International Movie Festival, The Front Stage line
of street parties, The Jerusalem Culture Season, The Wine Festival at the
Israel Museum, a Puppet Theater Festival, "Hutzot HaYotzer" and many more.
+ A Formula 1 exhibition will be held this year in the streets of
Jerusalem for the second time in history.
+ "HaPayis" Arena, which will be inaugurated this year, will become a
multipurpose sports and culture center. The arena is part of the national
sports complex which includes the expanded Teddy Stadium (34,000 seats), an
Olympic swimming center, an upgraded tennis center, a sports hotel, a light
rail line and more.
+ Approximately 30,000 runners took part in the fourth International
Jerusalem Marathon which took place this year, 2,500 of which were from 54
countries around the world. The Marathon was elected as one of the ten best
international spring races in the world, by the British running magazine
"Women's Running Magazine". The hotels throughout the city were packed, with
over 10,000 stays booked. The marathon created a positive impression both in
Israel and abroad, contributing substantially to the city's economy and its
global branding.

Jerusalem – A Green City
+ The new Mesilla Park opened, with bicycle paths, sitting corners,
lawns, playgrounds and sports facilities. The Park is 7 kilometers long and
goes through seven of the city's neighborhoods, starting at Liberty Bell
Park and ending in Malcha. It is part of the 42 kilometers of new bicycle
paths that surround Jerusalem.
+ The Jerusalem Park – a nature and recreation park that covers an area
of almost 3710 acres. The park includes a system of three metropolitan parks
that surround the city: Emek Ha'Arazim, Emek Motza, and Emek Refa'im. The
Park offers hiking, bicycle paths, picnic areas and playgrounds.
+ The renewed Gazelle Valley is Jerusalem's first urban nature park, and
covers an area of almost 62 acres. As part of the renovation, new deer will
be brought to the park. Bicycle paths, a bird promenade, observation points
and playgrounds are currently being constructed in the park.
+ The Aquarium – the largest underwater park in Israel, and also the
first of its kind in Israel, was built as part of a 32 acre expansion of the
Biblical Zoo aimed at the promotion of nature conservation and educational
programs. Several giant aquariums will be built in the park, where visitors
will be able to observe underwater animals from various angles.
Additionally, an educational center will be built in the park in order to
promote the understanding of the underwater world surrounding Israel.
+ Recycling in Jerusalem: 65,881 tons were recycled in Jerusalem in 2013,
compared with 40,992 tons in 2012- a spike of 60% in the citywide recycling
of garbage. In recent years the municipality has placed over 3,000
collection containers for various recyclable materials throughout the city,
while hundreds of containers for collecting organic waste were also created,
and composters were subsidized in the city's neighborhoods.
+ The Atarot garbage sorting and treatment center, which will be
inaugurated this year, will quadruple the amount of the recycled garbage in
Jerusalem.

Residents of Jerusalem: Optimistic and Pleased with their Lives
+ The residents of Jerusalem are happy with their life in the city: 92%
of Jerusalem's residents are happy with their lives, compared with 88% in
Israel, 86% in Tel Aviv and 81% in Haifa.
+ Jerusalem's residents are the most optimistic in regard to their
future. 63% of the residents estimated that their life in the future will be
better. This rate is a bit higher than the rate in Israel (59%), in Tel Aviv
(57%) and in Haifa (54%).
+ 87% of Jerusalem's residents were either satisfied or extremely
satisfied with their workplace, which is similar to the rate in Israel and
in Tel Aviv (88%)
+ The residents of Jerusalem felt relatively secure in their place of
work. 56% did not fear losing their place of work at all, a similar rate to
Tel Aviv (57%), but lower that the overall rate in Israel (65%).
+ 64% of the residents of Jerusalem were either satisfied or extremely
satisfied with their income, a rate which is slightly higher rate than the
overall rate in Israel (59%) and the rate in Tel Aviv (58%).
+ 63% of the residents of Jerusalem were either satisfied or extremely
satisfied with their economic situation, a rate which is slightly higher
than the overall rate in Israel (59%) and the rate in Tel Aviv (54%).

Immigrants Choose Jerusalem
+ Jerusalem leads in absorbing new immigration: 2,335 new immigrants
settled in Jerusalem during 2013, 959 of them aged 19 and 30. These
immigrants constitute 13% of all new immigrants arriving in Israel, twice as
much as Tel Aviv (1,060) and Haifa (1,130).
+ Out of the 2,335 new immigrants who settled in Jerusalem during 2013,
581 were from the USA, 473 were from France, and 339 were from the former
Soviet Union.

Jerusalem in Numbers
+ Jerusalem in the largest city in Israel, with an area of almost 31,000
acres.
+ The word Yerushalayim (Jerusalem in Hebrew) appears in Google
124,000,000 times.
+ The word Jerusalem appears in Google 290,000,000 times.
+ The average temperature in Jerusalem during the winter is 12 degrees
centigrade, and 29 degrees during the summer
+ The total length of road in Jerusalem is 1,640 kilometers
+ The longest street in the city is Menachem Begin Blvd. which is 15.7
kilometers long.
+ The shortest road is Ma'ala a Tabuna stairs, which is 7.60 meters long,
followed by Matityahu Street, which is 9.55 meters long.
+ There are 28 kilometers of highway in Jerusalem.
+ Jerusalem is located in the Judea Mountains, and therefore offers 34.9
kilometers of stairs as shortcuts for the convenience of the city's
residence.
+ There are approximately 2,000 archeological sites in Jerusalem.

Data was sourced from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Jerusalem
Institute for Israel Studies, the Jerusalem Municipality departments, the
Israel Hotel Association and the Jerusalem Development Authority.