Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of November 2018 stood at $115,056 million, an increase of $1,145 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 31.4 percent of GDP (Figure 1).
a. Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling $218 million, all of which were part of the purchase program intended to offset the effects of natural gas production on the exchange rate.
b.Government transfers from abroad totaling about $309 million.
c. A revaluation[1] that increased the reserves by approximately $623 million.
In contrast, the increase was offset by private sector transfers of approximately $5 million.
Israel's Foreign Exchange Reserves ($ million)
|
Date |
Reserves bought under the natural gas purchase program |
Reserves excluding IMF (including reserves bought under the natural gas purchase program) |
Reserves at the IMF[2] |
Total Foreign Exchange Reserves |
|
November 2017 |
12,000 |
110,734 |
1,345 |
112,079 |
|
December 2017 |
12,000 |
111,487 |
1,524c |
113,011c |
|
January 2018 |
12,000 |
116,100c |
1,522 |
117,622c |
|
February 2018 |
12,304 |
114,783c |
1,510c |
116,293c |
|
March 2018 |
12,447 |
114,609c |
1,518 |
116,127c |
|
April 2018 |
12,471 |
113,872 |
1,482 |
115,354 |
|
May 2018 |
12,625 |
113,239 |
1,461 |
114,700 |
|
June 2018 |
12,750 |
113,340c |
1,492 |
114,832c |
|
July 2018 |
12,750 |
114,292 |
1,490 |
115,782 |
|
August 2018 |
12,923 |
114,520 |
1,485 |
116,005 |
|
September 2018 |
12,939 |
113,980c |
1,478 |
115,458c |
|
October 2018 |
13,056 |
112,446 |
1,465 |
113,911 |
|
November 2018 |
13,274 |
113,405 |
1,651 |
115,056 |
[1] This 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.