Egypt statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
As Africa’s most populous Arab nation and a pivotal bridge between the continent, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, Egypt commands outsized strategic and economic relevance in 2026. With the country navigating a post-devaluation recovery, a landmark IMF programme, and ambitious infrastructure investment under Vision 2030, reliable data on Egypt’s demographic weight, fiscal position, and sectoral performance is essential for investors, policymakers, and development partners tracking the region’s trajectory.
Population and Demographics
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous in Africa. UN estimates place the population at approximately 106–108 million as of 2025, with projections suggesting continued growth toward 110 million by the late 2020s. The annual population growth rate sits at roughly 1.7–1.9 percent, a figure that has moderated compared to earlier decades but still places considerable pressure on housing, education, and labour markets. Urbanisation is advancing steadily, with World Bank data suggesting that around 43–45 percent of Egyptians live in urban areas — a relatively low share by regional standards, though Cairo and Greater Cairo together form one of Africa’s largest metropolitan agglomerations, home to an estimated 20–22 million people. The median age is approximately 25 years, underscoring the country’s young demographic profile and the urgency of job creation. Egypt’s youth bulge — with a significant share of the population under 30 — represents both a potential demographic dividend and a structural challenge for the labour market.
Economic Indicators
Egypt’s economy is the second largest in Africa by nominal GDP, behind Nigeria. IMF estimates put nominal GDP at roughly USD 350–380 billion for 2024, though the figure is sensitive to exchange rate movements following successive pound devaluations. GDP per capita stands at approximately USD 3,500–4,000 in nominal terms, placing Egypt in the lower-middle-income bracket. Real GDP growth was estimated at around 2.5–3.5 percent for fiscal year 2023/24, constrained by currency pressures, subsidy reform, and reduced Suez Canal revenues linked to regional shipping disruptions. Inflation has been a defining challenge: headline consumer price inflation reached elevated double-digit levels through much of 2023 and 2024, with some estimates placing it above 30 percent at its peak, before monetary tightening and IMF-backed reforms began to bring it down. The Egyptian pound experienced significant depreciation, with the official exchange rate moving sharply against the US dollar following the March 2024 liberalisation. Unemployment is officially reported at approximately 6–7 percent, though youth unemployment and underemployment are considerably higher. Egypt’s public debt-to-GDP ratio is a closely watched metric; IMF programme documents suggest it has hovered in the range of 85–95 percent of GDP, with fiscal consolidation a central condition of the extended fund facility arrangement agreed in 2024.
Trade and External Accounts
Egypt runs a persistent current account deficit, reflecting a structural gap between imports and export earnings. Top merchandise exports include petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, refined chemicals, fertilisers, and agricultural goods such as citrus fruits and cotton. Gold and other minerals also feature in the export basket. On the import side, Egypt is a major buyer of wheat and grains — making it one of the world’s largest wheat importers — alongside machinery, capital equipment, and consumer goods. Key trading partners include the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Germany. Remittances from the Egyptian diaspora, particularly in Gulf states, constitute a critical source of foreign exchange, with World Bank data suggesting inflows of roughly USD 20–24 billion annually in recent years. Suez Canal revenues, typically a significant hard-currency earner at around USD 8–10 billion per year, came under pressure in 2024 due to Houthi-related disruptions to Red Sea shipping lanes. The current account deficit has been partially offset by Gulf bilateral support, IMF disbursements, and foreign direct investment into the New Administrative Capital and energy sectors.
Key Sectors
Agriculture employs a substantial share of Egypt’s workforce — industry estimates suggest roughly 20–25 percent of employment — and the sector contributes approximately 11–14 percent of GDP. The Nile Delta remains the agricultural heartland, producing cotton, rice, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables. Water scarcity and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations continue to pose long-term risks to agricultural sustainability. The industrial sector, contributing roughly 30–35 percent of GDP, encompasses petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, food processing, and construction materials. Egypt has significant hydrocarbon assets; the Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean remains one of the largest in the region and has been central to the country’s energy self-sufficiency ambitions. The services sector is the largest contributor to GDP at approximately 50–55 percent, driven by trade, finance, real estate, and public administration. Tourism is a strategically important sub-sector: Egypt typically attracts 13–15 million international visitors annually, generating roughly USD 13–15 billion in receipts, though figures fluctuate with regional security conditions. The Suez Canal, operated by the Suez Canal Authority, functions as a standalone economic pillar, linking global trade flows and generating transit fees that are vital to the national budget.
Telecommunications and Digital
Egypt has one of Africa’s largest and most developed telecommunications markets. Mobile penetration is high, with ITU and GSMA data suggesting a SIM penetration rate well above 90 percent and an active subscriber base of roughly 100–105 million connections. The four licensed mobile network operators are Vodafone Egypt (rebranded under e& Egypt following the Emirates Telecommunications Group acquisition), Orange Egypt, Etisalat Egypt (also operating under the e& brand umbrella in some contexts), and the state-backed WE (Telecom Egypt). Internet penetration has grown substantially, with estimates placing fixed and mobile broadband internet users at approximately 55–65 percent of the population as of 2024–2025, driven by affordable mobile data and government digital inclusion initiatives. Egypt’s fintech and mobile money ecosystem is expanding, with the Central Bank of Egypt’s Instant Payment Network (IPN) and platforms such as InstaPay gaining traction. Mobile wallet adoption is rising, supported by regulatory frameworks designed to accelerate financial inclusion in a country where a significant portion of the adult population has historically been unbanked. The government’s Digital Egypt strategy targets broader e-government service delivery and positions the country as a regional digital hub.
Sources and Methodology
The statistics and estimates presented in this dashboard draw on a range of authoritative international and national sources. Primary references include the World Bank Open Data portal, IMF World Economic Outlook and Article IV consultation reports, United Nations Population Division projections, the African Union’s statistical frameworks, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for digital and connectivity indicators. National-level data is cross-referenced against publications from Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) and the Central Bank of Egypt. Trade data is informed by UN Comtrade and World Trade Organization records. GSMA Intelligence is referenced for mobile market metrics. Where precise figures could not be confirmed with certainty, this article uses qualifying language — “approximately,” “roughly,” “estimates suggest” — to reflect the inherent uncertainty in cross-source statistical reconciliation. All figures should be treated as indicative reference points rather than definitive official statistics, and readers are encouraged to consult primary sources for the most current data releases.
For deeper qualitative analysis of Egypt’s political economy, investment climate, and strategic outlook, visit the Egypt expert briefing. To explore comparable data profiles across the continent, browse all African country statistics. For broader context on growth trends, trade dynamics, and structural transformation across the region, see our African economy pillar.
