Egypt

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; about 20 private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 70 stations belonging to 8 networks; 2 privately owned radio stations operational (2008)

Internet country code

.eg

Internet users

total: 42 million | percent of population: 48.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Radio broadcast stations

AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 22, shortwave 1 (2010)

Telephone system

general assessment: underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s; principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay | domestic: largest fixed-line system in the region; multiple mobile-cellular networks with a near 100-percent penetration of the market | international: country code - 20; landing point for Aletar, the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks, Link Around the Globe (FLAG) Falcon and FLAG FEA; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 6.32 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 95.3 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Television broadcast stations

64 (2010)

Agriculture - products

cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats

Budget

revenues: $65.48 billion | expenditures: $99.14 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205

Central bank discount rate

9.75% (30 October 2014) | 8.75% (5 December 2013) | country comparison to the world: 20

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.8% (31 December 2014 est.) | 12.29% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Current account balance

-$2.356 billion (2014 est.) | $6.39 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

Debt - external

$55.86 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $49.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.8 (2008) | 32.1 (2005) | country comparison to the world: 116

Economy - overview

Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo from 2004 to 2008 pursued business climate reforms to attract foreign investment and facilitate growth. Poor living conditions and limited job opportunities for the average Egyptian contribute to public discontent, a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted Mubarak. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 caused economic growth to slow significantly, hurting tourism, manufacturing, and other sectors and pushing up unemployment. Weak growth and limited foreign exchange earnings have made public finances unsustainable, leaving authorities dependent on expensive borrowing for deficit finance and on Gulf allies to help cover the import bill. Egypt's current Constitution passed in a referendum that took place in January 2014.

Exchange rates

Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - | 7.1 (2014 est.) | 6.8708 (2013 est.) | 6.06 (2012 est.) | 5.9358 (2011 est.) | 5.6219 (2010 est.)

Exports

$27.15 billion (2014 est.) | $27.87 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Exports - commodities

crude oil and petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals, processed food

Exports - partners

Italy 9.2%, Saudi Arabia 7.4%, India 7.2%, Turkey 5.4%, US 4.2% (2014)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$286.4 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$943.1 billion (2014 est.) | $923.1 billion (2013 est.) | $904.1 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 24

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 80.3% | government consumption: 12% | investment in fixed capital: 13% | investment in inventories: 0.5% | exports of goods and services: 15% | imports of goods and services: -20.7% | (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 14.6% | industry: 38.9% | services: 46.5% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,900 (2014 est.) | $10,600 (2013 est.) | $10,400 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 126

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2014 est.) | 2.1% (2013 est.) | 2.2% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Gross national saving

13.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | 11.8% of GDP (2013 est.) | 12.5% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4% | highest 10%: 26.6% (2008)

Imports

$55.26 billion (2014 est.) | $55.46 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels

Imports - partners

China 11.2%, Germany 7.9%, US 7.4%, Kuwait 5.1%, Italy 4.6%, Ukraine 4.4%, Russia 4.2%, Turkey 4.1% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.1% (2014 est.) | 9.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 212

Labor force

28.26 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 29% | industry: 24% | services: 47% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$73.04 billion (30 November 2014 est.) | $58.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $48.68 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Public debt

93.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | 91.5% of GDP (2013 est.) | note: data cover central government debt and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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 | country comparison to the world: 18

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$15.13 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.12 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Stock of broad money

$219 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $199.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.684 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $6.475 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$79.19 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $76.76 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Stock of domestic credit

$225.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $217.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Stock of narrow money

$60.18 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $53.71 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45

Taxes and other revenues

23% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Unemployment rate

13.4% (2014 est.) | 13.2% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

206.3 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Crude oil - exports

189,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Crude oil - imports

80,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Crude oil - production

700,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Crude oil - proved reserves

4.4 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity - consumption

129.4 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Electricity - exports

1.679 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - imports

102 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - installed generating capacity

27 million kW (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - production

152 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - consumption

53.8 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas - exports

3.823 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Natural gas - imports

2.832 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 44

Natural gas - production

56.63 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.18 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Refined petroleum products - consumption

770,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Refined petroleum products - exports

83,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48

Refined petroleum products - imports

170,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Refined petroleum products - production

445,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Area

total: 1,001,450 sq km | land: 995,450 sq km | water: 6,000 sq km | country comparison to the world: 30

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 extremes

lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m | highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m

Environment - current issues

agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%) | per capita: 973.3 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

27 00 N, 30 00 E

Geography - note

controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories

Irrigated land

34,220 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,612 km | border countries (4): Gaza Strip 13 km, Israel 208 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,276 km

Land use

agricultural land: 3.6% | arable land 2.8%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 0.1% | other: 96.3% (2011 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

Map references

Africa

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

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

Terrain

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

Total renewable water resources

57.3 cu km (2011)

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

name: Cairo | geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E | time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by a constitutional committee in December 2013, approved by referendum 14-15 January 2014, ratified by interim president 19 January 2014 (2015)

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 (with Syria)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador R. Stephen BEECROFT (since 18 December 2014) | embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo | mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo | telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300 | FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Yasser REDA (since 17 September 2015) | chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 | FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 | consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch

Chief of state: President Abdelfattah Said ELSISI (since 8 June 2014) | head of government: Prime Minister Sherif ISMAIL (since 12 September 2015); note - Prime Minister Ibrahim MEHLAB resigned 12 September 2015 | cabinet: Cabinet sworn in 17 June 2014 | elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26-28 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2018); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the House of Representatives | election results: Abdelfattah Said ELSISI elected president; percent of vote in 1 round - Abdelfattah Said ELSISI (independent) 96.6%, Hamdeen SABAHI (Egyptian Current Party ) 3.4%

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; 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 flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

Government type

republic

Independence

28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the 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 - it was ca. 3200 B.C. that the Two Lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt were first united politically

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, 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, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Constitutional Court or SCC (consists of the court president and 10 justices); the SCC serves as the final court of arbitrator 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 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 by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the president of the Republic; tenure NA | subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; courts of limited jurisdiction; Family Court (established in 2004)

Legal system

mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws; judicial review of the constitutionality of laws by the Supreme Constitutional Court

Legislative branch

description: unicameral House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nowaab); according to 2014 election laws, will consist of up to 567 members; 420 members to be in elected in single- and multi-seat districts by simple majority vote, 120 members to be elected in party-list districts by simple majority vote, and up to 27 seats as presidential appointees | elections (for new House of Representatives): initially scheduled for late December 2014, changed several times, latest to 18 October 2015 | election results (for previous legislature): Advisory Council (held 29 January and 14 February 2012) - percent of vote by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 45%, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 28.6%, New Wafd Party 8.5%, Egyptian Bloc 5.4%, other 12.5%; seats by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 105, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 45, New Wafd Party 14, Egyptian Bloc 8, other 4, independents 4, presidential appointees 90; People's Assembly (held in three stages 28 November 2011 to 11 January 2012) - percent of vote by party - Democratic Alliance for Egypt 37.5%, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 27.8%, New Wafd Party 9.2%, Egyptian Bloc 8.9%, Al-Wasat Party 3.7%, The Revolution Continues Alliance 2.8%, Reform and Development Party 2.2%, National Party of Egypt 1.6%, Freedom Party 1.9%, Egyptian Citizen Party 0.9%, other 3.5%; seats by party - Democratic Alliance of Egypt 235, Alliance for Egypt (Islamic Bloc) 123, New Wafd Party 38, Egyptian Bloc 35, Al-Wasat 10, Reform and Development Party 9, The Revolution Continues Alliance 8, National Party of Egypt 5, Egyptian Citizen Party 4, Freedom Party 4, independents 21, other 6, SCAF appointees 10

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 holiday

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle, white lotus; national colors: red, white, black

Political parties and leaders

officially recognized: Al-Asala [Ehab SHIHA] | Al-Dustour (Constitution) Party [Hala SHOKRALLAH] | Al-Karama Party [Mohamed SAMY] | Al-Nour [Yunis MAKHYUN] | Al-Wasat Party [Mohamad Abdel LATIF] | Al-Watan [Imad Abd al-GHAFUR] | Building and Development Party or BDP [Tarek al-ZOMOR] | Congress Party [Omar Mokhtar SEMEIDA] | Egyptian National Movement Party [Ahmed SHAFIK] | Egyptian Social Democratic Party [Mohamed Aboul GHAR] | El Tagamu'u Party [Sayed Abdel AAL] | Free Egyptians Party [Essam KHALIL] | New Wafd Party [Sayed al-BADADWI] | Popular Current Party [Hamdeen SABAHI] | Reform and Development Party [Mohamad Anwar al-SADAT] | Socialist Popular Alliance [Abdel Ghafar SHOUKR] | Strong Egypt Party [Abdel Moneim Aboul FOTOUH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

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. 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. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks 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 nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered 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 population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. | Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new parliament was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Mohammed MORSI won the presidential election. Following often violent protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MORSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, and massive antigovernment demonstrations, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MORSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. In January 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and in May 2014 elected Abdel Fattah Al SISI president. Legislative elections are expected by the end of 2015.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 21,012,199 | females age 16-49: 20,145,021 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 18,060,543 | females age 16-49: 17,244,838 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 783,405 | female: 748,647 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces (2015)

Military expenditures

1.67% of GDP (2013) | 1.72% of GDP (2012) | 1.86% of GDP (2011) | 1.72% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 53

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation - 18-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.89% (male 14,430,312/female 13,790,448) | 15-24 years: 17.64% (male 7,985,589/female 7,620,404) | 25-54 years: 38.45% (male 17,307,230/female 16,715,153) | 55-64 years: 6.86% (male 2,971,475/female 3,100,747) | 65 years and over: 5.16% (male 2,058,911/female 2,507,127) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

22.9 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 1,066,526 | percentage: 7% (2005 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.8% (2008) | country comparison to the world: 77

Contraceptive prevalence rate

60.3% (2008)

Death rate

4.77 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 62.3% | youth dependency ratio: 53.8% | elderly dependency ratio: 8.5% | potential support ratio: 11.8% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population | rural: 99% of population | total: 99.4% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 1% of population | total: 0.6% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2008) | country comparison to the world: 117

Ethnic groups

Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.02% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

HIV/AIDS - deaths

300 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,800 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Health expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 142

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 21.55 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 23 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.7 years | male: 71.06 years | female: 76.47 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 73.8% | male: 82.2% | female: 65.4% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | water contact disease: schistosomiasis | note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

Major urban areas - population

CAIRO (capital) 18.772 million; Alexandria 4.778 million (2015)

Median age

total: 25.3 years | male: 24.9 years | female: 25.6 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Egyptian(s) | adjective: Egyptian

Net migration rate

-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.7% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 17

Physicians density

2.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

88,487,396 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Population growth rate

1.79% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Religions

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96.8% of population | rural: 93.1% of population | total: 94.7% of population | urban: 3.2% of population | rural: 6.9% of population | total: 5.3% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 13 years (2012)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female | total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.83 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 24.8% | male: 14.7% | female: 54.1% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Urbanization

urban population: 43.1% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.68% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Sudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border; Saudi Arabia claims Egyptian-administered islands of Tiran and Sanafir

Illicit drugs

transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 70,023 (West Bank and Gaza Strip); 12,730 (Sudan); 5,149 (Iraq) (2014); 132,375 (Syria); 7,365 (Somalia) (2015) | stateless persons: 20 (2014)

Airports

83 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 66

Airports - with paved runways

total: 72 | over 3,047 m: 15 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 | under 914 m: 6 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 11 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 | 914 to 1,523 m: 4 | 3 (2013)

Heliports

7 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 67 | by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 20, container 3, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 9 | foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 1, France 1, Greece 8, Jordan 2, Lebanon 1) | registered in other countries: 42 (Cambodia 4, Georgia 7, Honduras 2, Liberia 3, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 5, Panama 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, unknown 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 62

Pipelines

condensate 486 km; condensate/gas 74 km; gas 7,986 km; liquid petroleum gas 957 km; oil 5,225 km; oil/gas/water 37 km; refined products 895 km; water 65 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Mediterranean Sea - Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said; Gulf of Suez - Suez | oil terminal(s): Ain Sukhna terminal, Sidi Kerir terminal | container port(s) (TEUs): Alexandria (1,108,826), Port Said(East) (2,617,043), Port Said(West) (1,138,753) | LNG terminal(s) (export): Damietta, Idku (Abu Qir Bay)

Railways

total: 5,085 km | standard gauge: 5,085 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 34

Roadways

total: 137,430 km | paved: 126,742 km (includes 838 km of expressways) | unpaved: 10,688 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 37

Waterways

3,500 km (includes the Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in Nile Delta; the Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) is navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m) (2011) | country comparison to the world: 29