The number of Jews living in 27 Latin American countries has risen from 505, 000 in 1939 to 667, 000 in 1956, due mainly to natural increase and post-war migration from Europe. The 1956 figure constitutes about five percent of the global Jewish population of 11, 810, 000, according to a report issued in New York today by the World Jewish Congress.
A breakdown of the WJC statistics shows that 626, 000 Jews are residing in 12 South American countries, and 41, 000 in 15 Central American lands. The Latin American Jewish population rise has been most marked in six countries–Argentina from 320, 000 to 400, 000 since 1939; Brazil from 75, 000 to 125, 000; Chile from 20, 000 to 35, 000; Colombia from 4, 000 to 9, 000; Uruguay from 30, 000 to 40, 000 and Venezuela from 2, 000 to 5,000.
Other 1956 figures include: Bolivia, 3,000; Costa Rica, 1,200: Cuba, 8,000; Curacao, 750; Dominican Republic, 300; Ecuador, 3, 000; El Salvador, 260; British Guiana, 130; Guatemala, 930; Haiti, 100; Honduras, 80; Jamaica, 1, 400; Martinique, 100; Mexico, 26,500; Nicaragua, 200; Panama, 1,500; Paraguay, 1,500; Peru, 3,500; Surinam, 1,000; Trinidad, 200, and Virgin Islands, 60. Throughout Latin American communities there are about 220 Jewish schools with a total enrollment of close to 30,000 children, the report establishes.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
