Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of April 2021 stood at $193,996 million, an increase of $8,316 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 48.1 percent of GDP (Figure 1).

 

The increase was the result of:

a.       Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling $5,266 million.

b.      Private sector transfers of approximately $186 million.

c.       A revaluation[1] that increased the reserves by approximately $3,129 million.

 

 

In contrast, the increase was partly offset by Government transfers to abroad totaling approximately $265 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel's Foreign Exchange Reserves ($ million)

 

Date

Reserves excluding IMF (including reserves bought under the natural gas purchase program)

Reserves at the IMF[2]

Total Foreign Exchange Reserves

April 2020

131,755c

1,792

133,547c

May 2020

140,650

1,863

142,513

June 2020

145,499

1,838

147,337

July 2020

155,772c

1,891

157,663c

August 2020

159,789

1,899

161,688

September 2020

158,700

1,884

160,584

October 2020

158,859c

1,889

160,748c

November 2020

165,033c

1,914

166,947c

December 2020

171,242c

2,055

173,297c

January 2021

177,444c

2,057

179,501c

February 2021

182,990c

2,065

185,055c

March 2021

183,664c

2,016

185,680c

April 2021

191,953

2,043

193,996

 

 

 



a Includes Bank of Israel payments and receipts in foreign currency.

b This column includes Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), the balance of NAB loans, and the balance of Israel's reserve tranche at the IMF.

c Updated after the original date of publication.​