The Jewish population of Europe decreased dramatically during the 20th century, as millions of Jews were killed during the Holocaust of the Second World War, while millions of others emigrated to escape persecution (notably to Israel and the U.S.). Some estimates suggest that the total number of Jews in Europe in 1933 was approximately 9.5 million people, with the majority of these living in Eastern Europe. Jews were a minority in most countries, however they still made up a significant portion of the population in countries such as Hungary, Poland and Romania. Following the war however, the Jewish populations in these countries dropped drastically, and by the end of the century they made up just 0.1 percent or less in several countries.
Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991
Characteristic
1930-31
1977-91
Poland (1931 & 1991)
8.5%
0%
Czechoslovakia (1930 & 1991)
2.4%
0.1%
Hungary (1930 & 1990)
4.8%
1%
Romania (1930 & 1977)
4%
0.1%
Yugoslavia (1931 & 1981)
0.1%
0%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Jewish share of total population1930-311977-91Poland (1931 & 1991)Czechoslovakia (1930 & 1991)Hungary (1930 & 1990)Romania (1930 & 1977)Yugoslavia (1931 & 1981)
0%2%4%6%8%10%
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The total Jewish populations in each country in these years are as follows (in thousands):
Poland - 1931: 2,700, 1991: 15
Czechoslovakia - 1930: 354, 1991: 12
Hungary - 1930: 500, 1990: 100
Romania - 1930: 728, 1977: 25
Yugoslavia - 1931: 18, 1981: 1
These estimates may differ from other figures on the platform, as different sources used a variety of criteria when making these estimates.
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Random House (Penguin Books). (December 31, 1999). Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/
Random House (Penguin Books). "Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991." Chart. December 31, 1999. Statista. Accessed May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/
Random House (Penguin Books). (1999). Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/
Random House (Penguin Books). "Share of Total Population Who Were Jewish in Select Eastern European Countries and in Select Years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Dec 1999, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/
Random House (Penguin Books), Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/ (last visited May 11, 2025)
Share of total population who were Jewish in select Eastern European countries and in select years between 1930-31 and 1977-1991 [Graph], Random House (Penguin Books), December 31, 1999. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1069982/jewish-population-share-in-early-late-1900s/
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