The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world’s great civilizations in Egypt. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Arab conquerors introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and ruled for the next six centuries. The Mamluks, a local military caste, took control around 1250 and continued to govern after the Ottoman Turks conquered Egypt in 1517.
Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt’s government in 1882, but the country’s nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Egypt gained partial independence from the UK in 1922 and full sovereignty in 1952. British forces evacuated the Suez Canal Zone in 1956. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt’s fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals.
Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK’s ouster in 2011. Egypt’s military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed MORSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MORSI’s government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MORSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and then elected former defense minister Abdel Fattah EL-SISI president. EL-SISI was reelected to a second four-year term in 2018 and a third term in December 2023. TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
Geographic coordinates
27 00 N, 30 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total : 1,001,450 sq km
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
comparison ranking: total 31
Area – comparative
more than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 2,612 km
border countries (4): Gaza Strip 13 km; Israel 208 km; Libya 1,115 km; Sudan 1,276 km
Coastline
2,450 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or the equidistant median line with Cyprus
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Terrain
vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
Elevation
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
mean elevation: 321 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc
Land use
agricultural land: 4.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 3.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 95.9% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
36,500 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala – 1,360 sq km
note – largest of Nile Delta lakes
Major rivers (by length in km)
An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) – 6,650 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Major aquifers
Nubian Aquifer System
Population distribution
approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km (12 mi) of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms
Geography – note
controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People and Society
Population
total: 111,247,248 (2024 est.)
male: 57,142,484
female: 54,104,764
comparison rankings: total 15; female 15; male 15
Nationality
noun: Egyptian(s)
adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups
Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)
note: data represent respondents by nationality
Languages
Arabic (official); English and French widely understood by educated classes
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، أفضل مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic audio sample:
Religions
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10%
Age structure
0-14 years: 33.8% (male 19,349,395/female 18,243,571)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 34,646,369/female 32,792,151)
65 years and over: 5.6% (2024 est.) (male 3,146,720/female 3,069,042)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 65 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 55.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 9.2 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 10.8 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 24.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 24.3 years
female: 24.4 years
comparison ranking: total 177
Population growth rate
1.49% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 65
Birth rate
19.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 73
Death rate
4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 212
Net migration rate
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 115
Population distribution
approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km (12 mi) of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population: 43.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
22.183 million CAIRO (capital), 5.588 million Alexandria, 778,000 Bur Sa’id (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
22.6 years (2014 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 129
Infant mortality rate
total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 88
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75 years (2024 est.)
male: 73.8 years
female: 76.2 years
comparison ranking: total population 132
Total fertility rate
2.65 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 63
Gross reproduction rate
1.28 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
58.5% (2014)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.7% of population
rural: 99.7% of population
total: 99.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.3% of population
rural: 0.3% of population
total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
4.6% of GDP (2021)
7.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.9% of population
rural: 98.2% of population
total: 98.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.1% of population
rural: 1.8% of population
total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
32% (2016)
comparison ranking: 19
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 175
Tobacco use
total: 25.8% (2025 est.)
male: 51% (2025 est.)
female: 0.3% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 39
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
71.1% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 1.8% (2021)
women married by age 18: 15.8% (2021)
Education expenditure
3.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
12% national budget (2015 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 114
Literacy
total population: 71% (2017 est.)
male: 76% (2017 est.)
female: 66% (2017 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2018)
Environment
Environment – current issues
rapid growth in population straining natural resources; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution in coastal ecosystems; water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
Land use
agricultural land: 4.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 3.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 95.9% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 43.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 63.16 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 238.56 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 59.68 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 21 million tons (2012 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.625 million tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.5% (2013 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala – 1,360 sq km
note – largest of Nile Delta lakes
Major rivers (by length in km)
An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) – 6,650 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Major aquifers
Nubian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 10.75 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 5.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 61.35 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
57.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form: Egypt
local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form: Misr
former: United Arab Republic (short-lived unification with Syria)
etymology: the English name Egypt derives from the ancient Greek name for the country, “Aguptos,” and the ancient Roman name, “Aegyptus,” with the Greek form coming from the words aia gupos, or “land of the vulture;” the Arabic name for the country, Misr, can be traced to the Assyrian word misir, meaning “fort”
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Cairo
geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Friday in October
etymology: the ancient Egyptian name of the original city was Khere-ohe or Kheri-aha; the modern city’s name may also derive from the Arabic al-qahir, meaning “the victorious;” this is an Arabic name for the planet Mars, which was in the ascendant on the day in 969 A.D. when construction on the new part of the city began
Administrative divisions
27 governorates (muhafazat, singular – muhafazat); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma’iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa’id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina’ (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina’ (North Sinai), Suhaj
Legal system
mixed system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws; Supreme Constitutional Court reviews laws
Constitution
history: several previous; latest approved by a constitutional committee in December 2013, approved by referendum held on 14-15 January 2014, ratified by interim president on 19 January 2014
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by one fifth of the House of Representatives members; a decision to accept the proposal requires majority vote by House members; passage of amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote by House members and passage by majority vote in a referendum; articles of reelection of the president and principles of freedom are not amendable unless the amendment “brings more guarantees”
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: if the father was born in Egypt
dual citizenship recognized: only with prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch
chief of state: President Abdel Fattah EL-SISI (since 8 June 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Mostafa MADBOULY (since 7 June 2018)
cabinet: Cabinet ministers nominated by the executive branch and approved by the House of Representatives
election/appointment process: president elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 6-year term (eligible for 3 consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the House of Representatives
most recent election date: 10-12 December 2023
election results:
2023: Abdel Fattah EL-SISI reelected president in first round; percent of valid votes cast – Abdel Fattah EL-SISI (independent) 89.6%, Hazam OMAR (Republican People’s Party) 4.5%, Farid ZAHRAN (Egyptian Social Democratic Party 4%, Abdel-Samad YAMAMA 1.9%
2018: Abdelfattah ELSISI reelected president in first round; percent of valid votes cast – Abdelfattah ELSISI (independent) 97.1%, Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA (El Ghad Party) 2.9%; note – more than 7% of ballots cast were deemed invalid
expected date of next election: 2029
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwab)
number of seats: 596 (568 directly elected; 28 appointed)
electoral system: mixed system
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 10/24/2020 to 12/8/2020
parties elected and seats per party: Future of the Nation (Mostakbal Watan) (317); Republican People’s party (El Shaab el Gomhory) (49); Independents (117); Other (109)
percentage of women in chamber: 27.7%
expected date of next election: October 2025
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Majlis Al-Shiyoukh)
number of seats: 300 (200 directly elected; 100 appointed)
electoral system: mixed system
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 8/11/2020 to 9/9/2020
parties elected and seats per party: Future of the Nation (Mostakbal Watan) (148); Republican People’s party (17); Independents (88); Other (47)
percentage of women in chamber: 13.7%
expected date of next election: August 2025
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) (consists of the court president and 10 justices); the SCC serves as the final court of arbitration on the constitutionality of laws and conflicts between lower courts regarding jurisdiction and rulings; Court of Cassation (CC) (consists of the court president and 550 judges organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the CC is the highest appeals body for civil and criminal cases, also known as “ordinary justices”; Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) (consists of the court president and NA judges and organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the SAC is the highest court of the State Council
judge selection and term of office: under the 2014 constitution, all judges and justices selected and appointed by the Supreme Judiciary Council and approved as a formality by the president of the Republic; judges appointed for life; under the 2019 amendments, the president has the power to appoint heads of judiciary authorities and courts, the prosecutor general, and the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; courts of limited jurisdiction; Family Court (established in 2004)
Political parties
Al-Nour
Arab Democratic Nasserist Party
Congress Party
Conservative Party
Democratic Peace Party
Egyptian National Movement Party
Egyptian Social Democratic Party
El Ghad Party
El Serh El Masry el Hor
Eradet Geel Party
Free Egyptians Party
Freedom Party
Justice Party
Homeland’s Protector Party
Modern Egypt Party
My Homeland Egypt Party
Nation’s Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan)
National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party
Reform and Development Party
Republican People’s Party
Revolutionary Guards Party
Wafd Party
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020)
chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400
FAX: (202) 244-4319
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.egyptembassy.net/
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA GARG (since 15 November 2023)
embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo
mailing address: 7700 Cairo Place, Washington DC 20512-7700
telephone: [20-2] 2797-3300
FAX: [20-2] 2797-3200
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://eg.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Alexandria
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BRICS, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, LCBC (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the military-led revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956)
note: the Two Lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt were first united politically around 3200 B.C.
National holiday
Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; centered in the white band is the national emblem, a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield on its chest above a scroll with the country’s name in Arabic; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black) overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)
note: similar to the flags of Syria (two green stars in the white band), Iraq (an Arabic inscription centered in the white band), and Yemen (plain white band)
National symbol(s)
golden eagle, white lotus
National color(s)
red, white, black
National anthem
name: “Bilady, Bilady, Bilady” (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)
lyrics/music: Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH
note: adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was created after the signing of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Memphis and its Necropolis (c); Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (c); Nubian Monuments (c); Saint Catherine Area (c); Abu Mena (c); Historic Cairo (c); Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (n)
Economy
Economic overview
Africa’s second-largest economy; 2030 Vision to diversify markets and energy infrastructure; improving fiscal, external, and current accounts; underperforming private sector; poor labor force participation; expanded credit access
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.912 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.842 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.729 trillion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 17
Real GDP growth rate
3.76% (2023 est.)
6.59% (2022 est.)
3.29% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 86
Real GDP per capita
$16,700 (2023 est.)
$16,400 (2022 est.)
$15,600 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 114
GDP (official exchange rate)
$396.002 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
33.9% (2023 est.)
13.9% (2022 est.)
5.2% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 208
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 11.6% (2023 est.)
industry: 32.1% (2023 est.)
services: 51.3% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 139; industry 53; agriculture 69
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 82.6% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 6.8% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 11.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.4% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 19.1% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -21.3% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, milk, onions, oranges (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures
Industrial production growth rate
-0.57% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 158
Labor force
33.749 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 20
Unemployment rate
7.2% (2024 est.)
7.3% (2023 est.)
7.3% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 133
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 18.7% (2024 est.)
male: 12.4% (2024 est.)
female: 47.1% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 66
Population below poverty line
29.7% (2019 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
31.9 (2019 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 112
Average household expenditures
on food: 36.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 4.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.8% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 27.5% (2019 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
4.93% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.94% of GDP (2022 est.)
7.41% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $69.999 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $96.057 billion (2015 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
103% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: data cover central government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions
comparison ranking: 20
Taxes and other revenues
12.5% (of GDP) (2015 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 158
Current account balance
-$12.564 billion (2023 est.)
-$10.537 billion (2022 est.)
-$18.611 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 194
Exports
$68.218 billion (2023 est.)
$76.295 billion (2022 est.)
$58.339 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 56
Exports – partners
Saudi Arabia 10%, Turkey 9%, Italy 6%, USA 5%, UAE 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, garments, crude petroleum (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$82.265 billion (2023 est.)
$97.144 billion (2022 est.)
$94.039 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 50
Imports – partners
China 16%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Russia 6%, USA 6%, Germany 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, wheat, plastics, natural gas, packaged medicine (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$34.278 billion (2024 est.)
$33.07 billion (2023 est.)
$32.144 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 50
Debt – external
$117.272 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 8
Exchange rates
Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
45.299 (2024 est.)
30.626 (2023 est.)
19.16 (2022 est.)
15.645 (2021 est.)
15.759 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 59.68 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 162.026 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 1.785 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 187 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 45.67 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 205; imports 109; exports 62; consumption 25; installed generating capacity 26
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 87.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 4 (2025)
Coal
production: 69,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 3.262 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 68,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 3.263 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 182 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 667,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 830,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 3.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 57.181 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 58.695 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 5.344 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 9.126 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.784 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
236.618 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 6.966 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 114.507 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 115.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 29
Energy consumption per capita
34.975 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 109
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 12.475 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 15
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 106 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 17
Broadcast media
mix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks, as well as a few satellite channels; dozens of private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available for free; some limited satellite services are also available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 30 stations belonging to 8 networks; privately-owned radio includes 8 major stations (2019)
Internet country code
.eg
Internet users
percent of population: 73% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 13.6 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 18
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
SU
Airports
73 (2025)
comparison ranking: 71
Heliports
60 (2025)
comparison ranking: 33
Railways
total: 5,085 km (2014)
standard gauge: 5,085 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified)
Merchant marine
total: 441 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 6, general cargo 23, oil tanker 42, other 356
comparison ranking: total 45
Ports
total ports: 31 (2024)
large: 5
medium: 1
small: 8
very small: 16
size unknown: 1
ports with oil terminals: 17
key ports: Ain Sukhna Terminal, Al Iskandariyh (Alexandria), As Suways, Bur Sa’id, Damietta, Ras Shukhier
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF): Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Border Guard Forces
Interior Ministry: Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, National Security Agency (2024)
note: the Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide; the Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control; the National Security Agency is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism along with other security services
Military expenditures
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 450,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the EAF’s inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more modern, particularly Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an equipment modernization program with significant purchases from foreign suppliers; major suppliers have included China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the US; Egypt has an established defense industry that produces a range of products from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels; it also has licensed and co-production agreements with several countries, including Germany and the US (2024)
Military service age and obligation
voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 for men and 17 for women; 18-30 years of age for conscript service for men; service obligation 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education; high school drop-outs serve for the full 36 months, while college graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education level (2023)
note: conscripts make up a considerable portion of the military and the Central Security Force
Military deployments
1,000 (plus nearly 200 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); also has about 350 police deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under MONUSCO; slated to have about 1,100 personnel in Somalia under AUSSOM in 2025 (2024)
Military – note
the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal role assisting police and paramilitary security forces during emergencies and in anti-terrorism operations; the EAF also participates in foreign peacekeeping and other security missions, as well as both bilateral and multinational exercises; the military has considerable political power and independence; it has long had a crucial role in Egypt’s politics and has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, gas stations, shipping lines, and utilities, and producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing
key areas of concern for the EAF include Islamist militant groups operating out of the Sinai Peninsula, regional challenges such as ongoing conflicts and instability, and maritime security; since 2011, the EAF has been conducting operations alongside other security forces in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); over the past decade, it has deployed additional units along the border with Libya, provided air support to the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Yemen, and most recently boosted its presence on the border with Gaza in response to the HAMAS-Israel conflict; the Navy in recent years has sought to modernize and expand its capabilities and profile in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, including the acquisition of helicopter carriers, modern frigates, and attack submarines, as well as the establishment of a joint service military base on the Red Sea
the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; it has about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US are the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2025)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA; public economic authority established 2019); National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS; formed in 1994 from the Remote Sensing Center, which was established in 1971) (2024)
Space program overview
has a growing program to manufacture satellites and associated support infrastructure; seeks to become a regional space power; operates satellites; builds satellites jointly with foreign partners but developing localized satellite manufacturing capabilities; acquiring other space-related technologies through transfers and domestic development, including on communications, Earth imaging/remote sensing (RS), and satellite payloads and components; cooperating on space-related issues with a variety of foreign governments and commercial space companies, including those of Belarus, Canada, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group; has a commercial space sector that focuses on satellite communications, satellite design and production, RS, and space applications (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Army of Islam; Harakat Sawa’d Misr (HASM); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); al-Qa’ida
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 70,021 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2022); 52,446 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 20,970 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 21,105 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers), 15,585 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 10,025 (Yemen) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,815 (Iraq) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,802 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022); 464,827 (Sudan) (refugees since 15 April 2023), 156,159 (Syria) (2024)
stateless persons: 10 (2022)
Illicit drugs
major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics
