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In this piece, we’ll explore the 20 countries with the largest Jewish populations globally. If you prefer to skip the background on the Jewish community, you can jump directly to the section on the 5 countries with the largest Jewish populations.
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Percentage of World Jewry = 0.09%
Chile has a very small Jewish population, making up about 0.09% of the world’s Jews. The Jewish community in Chile is mostly concentrated in the capital, Santiago. The historical composition of the Jewish population in Chile has been shaped by waves of Jewish immigration, particularly from Eastern Europe, especially after the Holocaust. Today, Chile has a handful of synagogues and Jewish schools.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.10%
Uruguay is home to a small Jewish population, with 0.1% of the world’s Jews residing there. The Jewish community in Uruguay is primarily located in the capital, Montevideo. There are several synagogues and Jewish schools in Uruguay, although the community remains relatively small.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.12%
Switzerland has a Jewish population of around 20,500 people. The Jewish community in Switzerland dates back centuries, with the first Jewish settlers arriving in the late 16th century. Switzerland has many synagogues and a thriving Jewish community.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.16%
Italy has a Jewish population of around 26,900 people, making up 0.16% of the world’s Jewish population. Italy has a long history of Jewish presence, dating back to Roman times. The country is at the seventeenth position on our list of countries with the largest Jewish population in the world.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.17%
Belgium has a Jewish population of approximately 29,000 individuals. The Jewish community in Belgium has a rich history, with Jews having lived in the region since the Middle Ages.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.2%
The Netherlands has a Jewish population of around 29,700, accounting for 0.2% of the world’s Jewish population. The Dutch Jewish community has a long history, with the first Jewish settlement in Amsterdam dating back to the 12th century.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.3%
Ukraine is home to approximately 33,000 Jews, placing it among the top 15 countries with the largest Jewish populations in the world. The historical roots of the Jewish community in Ukraine run deep, with a significant presence dating back to the Middle Ages. Despite facing periods of severe persecution, particularly during the Holocaust, the Jewish community in Ukraine has managed to maintain its identity and traditions.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.3%
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Mexico has a Jewish population of around 40,000 people. The Jewish community in Mexico traces its roots back to the early 16th century when Spanish Jews arrived in New Spain. Today, Mexico has a small but vibrant Jewish community that adds to the North American Jewish population.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.3%
Hungary has a Jewish population of around 46,000 people. The country accounts for 0.3% of the world’s Jewish population. The first Jewish settlement in Hungary dates back to the 13th century in the city of Pest.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.3%
Approximately 50,000 Jews are living in South Africa today. Many Jews arrived in South Africa during the 19th century, fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe. Over the years, the Jews have played significant roles in various aspects of South African society, including business, politics, culture, and academia.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.6%
Brazil is home to a Jewish population of 90,500 individuals. The Jewish community in Brazil dates back to the 19th century, with many Jews arriving from Eastern Europe and Russia. Today, the Jewish community in the country is centered in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazil also has several synagogues, a Jewish school, and a Jewish cultural center.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.8%
Australia has a Jewish population of around 117,000 people. It is among the top 10 countries with the highest Jewish population in the world. The Jewish community first arrived in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Percentage of World Jewry = 0.8%
Despite Germany’s role in the Holocaust that wiped out millions of Jews from the world, Germany made it to the top 8 countries with the largest Jewish population in the world. The country has a Jewish population of around 120,000 people. The Jewish community in Germany dates back to the Middle Ages, with Jews playing a significant role in German society.
Percentage of World Jewry = 1.0%
Russia is home to 1% of the world’s Jewish population, with around 132,000 Jews living in the country. Russia is the only other country besides Israel to have a Jewish autonomous region, with its center in Birobidzhan. However, less than a thousand Jews are living in this area now.
Percentage of World Jewry = 1.1%
Argentina has a Jewish population of around 171,000 people, making up 1.1% of the world’s Jews. The Jewish community in Argentina dates back to the 19th century, with many Jews arriving from Eastern Europe.
Some of the world’s most popular companies, such as Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Facebook (NASDAQ:META), and the New York Times (NYSE:NYT), have Jewish individuals in positions of authority.
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