Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of March 2022 stood at $206,138 million, a decline of $910 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The level of the reserves relative to GDP was 42.8 percent (Figure 1).

 

The decline was the result of:

a.       A revaluation[1] that decreased the reserves by approximately $1,601 million.

b.      Government transfers to abroad totaling approximately $122 million.

 

In contrast, the decline was partly offset by Private sector transfers of approximately $813 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

March 2021

183,664c

2,016

185,680c

April 2021

191,957c

2,043

194,000c

May 2021

196,348

2,002

198,350

June 2021

198,192

1,983

200,175

July 2021

199,709c

1,986

201,695c

August 2021

201,305c

4,602d

205,907c

September 2021

199,430c

4,550

203,980c

October 2021

202,892

4,581

207,473

November 2021

204,152

4,618c

208,770c

December 2021

208,320c

4,673

212,993c

January 2022

204,149c

4,588

208,737c

February 2022

202,461c

4,587

207,048c

March 2022

201,594

4,544

206,138

 

 

 



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.

d On August 23, 2021, the International Monetary Fund allocated approximately $2.6 billion to Israel, as part of the IMF’s $650 billion allocation to all of the organization’s member countries. Together with this increase in reserves at the IMF, a long-term liability to the IMF—in the amount that was allocated—was added to the Bank of Israel balance sheet.​