Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of September 2021 stood at $203,990 million, a decrease of $1,917 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 46.3 percent of GDP (Figure 1).
The decrease was the result of a revaluation[1] that decreased the reserves by approximately $3,210 million.
In contrast, the decrease was partly offset by:
a. Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling approximately $1,005 million.
b. Private sector transfers of approximately $138 million.
c. Government transfers from abroad totaling approximately $150 million.
Israel's Foreign Exchange Reserves ($ million)
|
Date |
Reserves excluding IMF (including reserves bought under the natural gas purchase program) |
Reserves at the IMF[2] |
Total Foreign Exchange Reserves |
|
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 |
191,957c |
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 |
201,305 c |
4,602d |
205,907 c |
|
September 2021 |
199,440 |
4,550 |
203,990 |
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, the International Monetary Fund allocated approximately $2.6 billion to Israel, as part of the IMF allocation to all of the organization’s member countries totaling $650 billion. Together with this increase in IMF reserves, a long-term liability to the IMF—in the amount that was allocated—was added to the Bank of Israel balance sheet.