Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of February 2020 stood at $131,151 million, an increase of $1,176 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 33.2 percent of GDP (Figure 1).

 

The increase was the result of:

a.       Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling $2,764 million.

b.      Private sector transfers of approximately $1 million.

 

The increase was partly offset by:

a.       A revaluation[1] that decreased the reserves by approximately $1,205 million.

b.      Government transfers to abroad totaling approximately $384 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

February 2019

116,218c

1,721

117,939c

March 2019

116,514c

1,705

118,219c

April 2019

117,044

1,699

118,743

May 2019

116,485

1,639

118,124

June 2019

118,460

1,648

120,108

July 2019

118,309

1,685

119,994

August 2019

118,134c

1,678c

119,812

September 2019

117,797c

1,672

119,469c

October 2019

119,671

1,690

121,361

November 2019

120,702

1,681

122,383

December 2019

124,253c

1,761c

126,014c

January 2020

128,231 c

1,744

129,975 c

February 2020

129,426

1,725

131,151

 

Figure 1

Level of foreign exchange reserves, and their ratio to GDP, 2007–20

​​

 גרף אנגלית.png
​  Figure 1​


[1] Includes Bank of Israel payments and receipts in foreign currency.

[2] 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.​