Fact Check: "Israel is the second-largest country in terms of population in the Middle East."
What We Know
The claim that Israel is the second-largest country in terms of population in the Middle East is incorrect. According to the List of Middle Eastern countries by population, as of the latest estimates, Turkey holds the position as the most populous country in the Middle East, followed by Iran. Israel ranks significantly lower, with a population of approximately 9 million, which places it behind both Turkey and Iran, as well as Egypt, which has a population exceeding 100 million.
Analysis
To evaluate the claim, we must consider the population statistics of the countries in the Middle East. The World Factbook lists Israel's population at around 9 million, which is far less than that of Turkey (approximately 85 million) and Iran (approximately 85 million) as well. Egypt, with its population of over 100 million, is also ahead of Israel.
The source from Wikipedia provides a comprehensive list of Middle Eastern countries sorted by population, confirming that Israel does not rank second. The reliability of these sources is generally high; the World Factbook is a reputable publication by the CIA, and Wikipedia's demographic data is often updated and cited from official statistics.
Furthermore, the demographic breakdown of Israel indicates that its population is primarily composed of Jewish citizens, with significant Arab and other minority populations, but this does not affect its ranking in terms of overall population size within the region (Demographics of Israel).
Conclusion
The claim that Israel is the second-largest country in terms of population in the Middle East is False. The evidence clearly shows that Turkey and Iran are the two most populous countries in the region, followed by Egypt, with Israel ranking much lower in population size.
