Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of February 2021 stood at $185,091 million, an increase of $5,590 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 45.9 percent of GDP (Figure 1).
The increase was the result of:
a. Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling $4,912 million.
b. A revaluation[1] that increased the reserves by approximately $927 million.
In contrast, the increase was partly offset by:
a. Private sector transfers of approximately $97 million.
b. Government transfers to abroad totaling approximately $152 million.
Israel's Foreign Exchange Reserves ($ million)
|
Date |
Reserves excluding IMF (including reserves bought under the natural gas purchase program) |
Reserves at the IMF[2] |
Total Foreign Exchange Reserves |
|
February 2020 |
129,451c |
1,725 |
131,176c |
|
March 2020 |
124,231c |
1,710 |
125,941c |
|
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 |
183,026 |
2,065 |
185,091 |
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.