The Holocaust of the Second World War decimated the Ashkenazim , affecting almost every Jewish family . It is estimated that in the 11th century Ashkenazi Jews composed three percent of the world 's total Jewish population , while an estimate made in 1930 ( near the population 's peak ) had them as 92 percent of the world 's Jews . Immediately prior to the Holocaust , the number of Jews in the world stood at approximately 16.7 million . Statistical figures vary for the contemporary demography of Ashkenazi Jews , ranging from 10 million to 11.2 million . Sergio Della Pergola , in a rough calculation of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews , implies that Ashkenazi Jews make up less than 74 % of Jews worldwide . Other estimates place Ashkenazi Jews as making up about 75 % of Jews worldwide
The Holocaust
The Holocaust
Ashkenazi Jews