05.5.2026
For the Jerusalem Foundation, every day is Jerusalem Day! but officially this year, May 14th eve will mark the beginning of Jerusalem Day. To celebrate this special occasion, we put together some fun facts about the city, which help explain why it has such a special place in our hearts and the great potential it carries, despite its complexities and challenges.
Did you know that?
- Jerusalem is Israel’s youngest city: Jerusalem has the highest birthrate in the country, and with about one-third of its population (around 32%) made up of children, it reflects a vibrant, growing city with strong potential for the future
- With over 1,050,000 residents, Jerusalem is by far Israel’s largest city – the runner up is Tel Aviv, with close to 500,000 residents
- Jerusalem can be determined as “Israel’s Capital of Nonprofit Organizations,” reflecting the number, diversity, and richness of organizations, as well as their contribution to the city’s economy (about one-third of all those employed in the city work in social society organizations!).
- In recent years, Jerusalem has led Israel’s large cities in recycling by a wide margin, maintaining a structurally higher recycling rate than the national average. Compared with Israel’s 18 largest cities (with 100,000 residents or more), Jerusalem ranks first in the rate of recycling.
- Jerusalem is home to nine higher education universities and colleges, including the Hebrew University, Israel’s first university, and nine arts-focused higher education institutions, including the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Israel’s first art school. Around 41,600 students are enrolled in higher education institutions in Jerusalem
- Jerusalem’s stage arts scene is exceptionally developed, with close to 15 theaters and theater groups spanning repertoire, nationally acclaimed theaters and fringe groups, as well as the ‘Al-Beit Theater’ – an Arabic speaking, east Jerusalem theater which produces original work
- Want to ride your bicycle? Despite its hilly terrain, the city has 88,006 meters of bike paths, paving the way for a more active and connected future
- By law, most buildings in Jerusalem must be covered in Jerusalem stone, giving the entire city its iconic golden look—especially at sunset
*The information presented is based on the most recent available data, as published by the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research and the Jerusalem Municipality.