2020 Edition

Background

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.

Area

land

995,450 sq km

total

1,001,450 sq km

water

6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

more than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

Climate

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Coastline

2,450 km

Elevation

highest point

Mount Catherine 2,629 m

lowest point

Qattara Depression -133 m

mean elevation

321 m

Geographic coordinates

27 00 N, 30 00 E

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

Irrigated land

36,500 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

Gaza Strip 13 km; Israel 208 km; Libya 1,115 km; Sudan 1,276 km

total

2,612 km

Land use

agricultural land

4.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 3.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

0% (2023 est.)

other

95.9% (2023 est.)

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

Major aquifers

Nubian Aquifer System

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)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm or the equidistant median line with Cyprus

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc

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

Terrain

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

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)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

18.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

1.8% (2021)

women married by age 18

15.8% (2021)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.7% (2021 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

65.6% (2021 est.)

Death rate

4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

9.5 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

10.5 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

63.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

54.2 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 99.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

3.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

12% national budget (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.23 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

4.6% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

7.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

15.9 deaths/1,000 live births

male

17.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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.

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.2 years

male

73.8 years

total population

75 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

73.3% (2022 est.)

male

85.3% (2022 est.)

total population

79.5% (2022 est.)

Major urban areas - population

22.183 million CAIRO (capital), 5.588 million Alexandria, 778,000 Bur Sa'id (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

17 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

24.4 years

male

24.3 years

total

24.6 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Egyptian

noun

Egyptian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32% (2016)

Physician density

0.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

female

54,909,822

male

57,960,635

total

112,870,457 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

1.4% (2025 est.)

Religions

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10%

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 98.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2023 est.)

male

13 years (2023 est.)

total

13 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

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

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

0.3% (2025 est.)

male

51% (2025 est.)

total

25.8% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.53 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

43.1% of total population (2023)

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

Capital

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

geographic coordinates

30 03 N, 31 15 E

name

Cairo

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

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"

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

Country name

conventional long form

Arab Republic of Egypt

conventional short form

Egypt

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"

former

United Arab Republic (short-lived unification with Syria)

local long form

Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

local short form

Misr

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA GARG (since 15 November 2023)

consulate(s) general

Alexandria

email address and website

ConsularCairoACS@state.gov https://eg.usembassy.gov/

embassy

5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo

FAX

[20-2] 2797-3200

mailing address

7700 Cairo Place, Washington DC 20512-7700

telephone

[20-2] 2797-3300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

email address and website

embassy@egyptembassy.net https://www.egyptembassy.net/

FAX

(202) 244-4319

telephone

[1] (202) 895-5400

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet ministers nominated by the executive branch and approved by the House of Representatives

chief of state

President Abdel Fattah EL-SISI (since 8 June 2014)

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

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

expected date of next election

2029

head of government

Prime Minister Mostafa MADBOULY (since 7 June 2018)

most recent election date

10-12 December 2023

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; it faces the left side, with a shield on its chest, above a scroll with the country's name in Arabic meaning: 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)

Government type

presidential republic

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)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

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

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)

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

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwab)

electoral system

mixed system

expected date of next election

November 2025

most recent election date

10/24/2020 to 12/8/2020

number of seats

596 (568 directly elected; 28 appointed)

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%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate (Majlis Al-Shiyoukh)

electoral system

mixed system

expected date of next election

July 2030

most recent election date

8/4/2025 to 8/28/2025

number of seats

300 (200 directly elected; 100 appointed)

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

10.7%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

National anthem(s)

history

adopted 1979; the current anthem was written after the 1979 peace treaty with Israel; the composer is considered the father of modern Egyptian music; of the three verses, only the first verse is sung, preceded and followed by the chorus

lyrics/music

Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH

title

"Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)

National coat of arms

adopted in 1984, the coat of arms features the national symbol, the Eagle of Saladin; the eagle holds a golden scroll with the name of the country, “Gumhuriyet Miṣr al-ʿArabiyyah” (Arab Republic of Egypt), in Arabic script; the shield on the eagle’s chest shows the national colors of red, white, and black

National color(s)

red, white, black

National heritage

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)

total World Heritage Sites

7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)

National holiday

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle, white lotus

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agricultural products

sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, milk, onions, oranges (2023)

Average household expenditures

on alcohol and tobacco

4.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on food

36.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$96.057 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$69.999 billion (2015 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021

-$18.611 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$10.537 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$12.564 billion (2023 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

$117.272 billion (2023 est.)

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

Exchange rates

Currency

Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

15.759 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

15.645 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

19.16 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

30.626 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

45.299 (2024 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021

$58.339 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$76.295 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$68.218 billion (2023 est.)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, garments, crude petroleum (2023)

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 10%, Turkey 9%, Italy 6%, USA 5%, UAE 5% (2023)

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

16.4% (2024 est.)

government consumption

6.3% (2024 est.)

household consumption

87.6% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-23.2% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

11.7% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

1.3% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

13.7% (2024 est.)

industry

32.6% (2024 est.)

services

48.9% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$389.06 billion (2024 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

28.5 (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

24.6% (2021 est.)

lowest 10%

4.2% (2021 est.)

Imports

Imports 2021

$94.039 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$97.144 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$82.265 billion (2023 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, wheat, plastics, natural gas, packaged medicine (2023)

Imports - partners

China 16%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Russia 6%, USA 6%, Germany 5% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.9% (2024 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

13.9% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

33.9% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

28.3% (2024 est.)

Labor force

33.749 million (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

29.7% (2019 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2017

103% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$1.842 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$1.912 trillion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$1.958 trillion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

6.6% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

3.8% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

2.4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$16,400 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$16,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$16,800 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2021

7.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

5.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

4.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$32.144 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$33.07 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$44.921 billion (2024 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

12.5% (of GDP) (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

7.4% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

7.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

7.2% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

47.1% (2024 est.)

male

12.4% (2024 est.)

total

18.7% (2024 est.)

Coal

consumption

3.262 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

68,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

3.263 million metric tons (2023 est.)

production

69,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves

182 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

162.026 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports

1.785 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports

187 million kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

59.68 million kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

45.67 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

87.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

34.975 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

58.695 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports

5.344 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

9.126 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

production

57.181 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves

1.784 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Nuclear energy

Number of nuclear reactors under construction

4 (2025)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

3.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

830,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

total petroleum production

667,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (2023 est.)

total

13.6 million (2023 est.)

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.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

11 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

13.3 million (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

97 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

113 million (2024 est.)

Airports

73 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

SU

Heliports

60 (2025)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 14, container ship 6, general cargo 23, oil tanker 42, other 356

total

441 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Ain Sukhna Terminal, Al Iskandariyh (Alexandria), As Suways, Bur Sa'id, Damietta, Ras Shukhier

large

5

medium

1

ports with oil terminals

17

size unknown

1

small

8

total ports

31 (2024)

very small

16

Railways

standard gauge

5,085 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified)

total

5,085 km (2014)

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)

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 (2025)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 450,000 active Armed Forces (2025)

Military deployments

775 (plus nearly 200 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,100 Somalia (AUSSOM); also has about 200 police deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under MONUSCO (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the EAF's inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more modern, typically Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an equipment modernization program with purchases from foreign suppliers, including China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UAE, the UK, and the US; Egypt's defense industry 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 (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2020

1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military service age and obligation

voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 for men and 17 for women; 18-30 years of age for compulsory 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 (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

876,962 (2024 est.)

stateless persons

5 (2024 est.)

Key space-program milestones

1960 - initiated a space program 1998 - first communications satellite (NileSat-101) built in Europe and launched on a European rocket (first African country to have its own communications satellite) 2007 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Egypsat-1) built and launched by Russia 2019 - first domestically produced RS cube satellites (NARSSCube-1 and 2) released from International Space Station; signed agreement with China for construction of satellite assembly, integrating, and testing facilities 2020 - announced a 10-year national space program, including initiating an astronaut training program and jointly developing with several African countries an RS satellite for monitoring climate changes 2022 - inaugurated a “space city” containing a satellite manufacturing facility, a research center, a space academy, and the headquarters of the African Space Agency (AfSA; inaugurated 2025); latest NileSat-series (NileSat-301) communications satellite acquired from Europe and launched by the US 2023 - three RS satellites (Horus-1, Horus-2, and MisrSat-2) built jointly with and launched by China; joined the China-led International Lunar Research Station project 2024 - experimental RS satellite (Nexsat-1) jointly developed with a European commercial company and launched by China

Space agency/agencies

Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA; established 2019); National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS; formed in 1994 from the Remote Sensing Center, which was established in 1971) (2025)

Space program overview

has a growing space program and seeks to become a regional space power; operates satellites; builds satellites jointly with foreign partners but developing localized satellite manufacturing and support infrastructure; acquiring other space-related technologies through transfers and domestic development, including in communications, Earth imaging/remote sensing (RS), and satellite payloads and components; works with a variety of foreign governments and commercial space companies, including those of Belarus, Canada, China, the ESA 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 an active commercial space sector (2025)

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

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

6.966 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

115.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

114.507 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

236.618 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental 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

International environmental 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

Methane emissions

agriculture

548.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)

energy

690.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)

other

9.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste

874 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

66.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

57.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

61.35 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

5.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal

10.75 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

21 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

26.6% (2022 est.)