Beit Shemesh Ranks Fourth in Israel for Births: 6,974 Babies Born in 5786

Nearly 7,000 babies were registered in the city last year, putting Beit Shemesh ahead of cities including Ashdod, Haifa and Netanya

Beit Shemesh continues to grow. New data released Sunday by the Population and Immigration Authority shows that 6,974 babies were registered in Beit Shemesh during the past Hebrew year, 5786, placing the city fourth in Israel for the number of births.

Beit Shemesh ranked behind Jerusalem, which topped the list with 23,336 births, followed by Bnei Brak with 8,225 and Tel Aviv-Yafo with 7,405.

The city ranked ahead of major cities including Ashdod, Chaifa, Rishon LetZion, Netanya and Petach Tikva, as well as Modi'in Illit.

Across Israel, 179,398 babies were registered during 5786, according to the data, which is current as of September 6, 2026.

Nearly 7,000 Babies in One Year

The nearly 7,000 births recorded in Beit Shemesh reflect the city's rapid growth and its large number of young families. The city recently passed the 200,000-resident mark and continues to expand as new neighborhoods are built and more families move to the city.

The growing number of children and families also creates a need for more schools, kindergartens, childcare, public services, infrastructure and transportation.

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg said: “Nearly 7,000 babies in one year means, first and foremost, 7,000 happy occasions for families in Beit Shemesh. This number tells the story of a young city growing at an extraordinary pace. This growth requires us to continue expanding our schools, services and infrastructure so that we can provide the best possible support for the city’s families and children.”

Israel’s Top 10 Cities for Births

1. Jerusalem - 23,336
2. Bnei Brak - 8,225
3. Tel Aviv-Yafo - 7,405
4. Beit Shemesh - 6,974
5. Ashdod - 4,031
6. Chaifa - 3,421
7. Rishon LetZion - 3,413
8. Netanya - 3,343
9. Petach Tikva - 3,338
10. Modi'in Illit - 3,113

The figures are current as of September 6, 2026, and were published by the Population and Immigration Authority.