Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of January 2018 stood at $117,615 million, an increase of $4,604 million from their level at the end of the previous month. The reserves represent 34.5 percent of GDP (Figure 1).

 

The increase was the result of:

a.       Foreign exchange purchases by the Bank of Israel totaling $1,806 million.

b.      A revaluation[1] that increased the reserves by about $1,841 million.

c.       Government transfers from abroad totaling about $939 million.

d.      Private sector transfers of about $18 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

January 2017

10,500

100,430c

1,183

101,613c

February 2017

10,750

100,843 c

1,179

102,022c

March 2017

10,750

101,992c

1,182

103,174c

April 2017

11,000

103,949c

1,193

105,142c

May 2017

11,250

106,163

1,204

107,367

June 2017

11,390

107,499

1,207

108,706

July 2017

11,540

108,733c

1,377

110,110c

August 2017

11,540

109,642

1,378

111,020

September 2017

11,740

109,678

1,373

111,051

October 2017

12,000

109,943

1,366

111,309

November 2017

12,000

110,734

1,345

112,079

December 2017

12,000

111,487

1,524c

113,011c

January 2018

12,000

116,093

1,522

117,615

 

 

 

Figure 1

Level of foreign exchange reserves, and their ratio to GDP, 2007–18

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[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 in the IMF.

c Updated after the original date of publication.