Country Profile: Egypt

Egypt, located in Northern Africa, is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, featuring a vast desert terrain interspersed with the lush Nile River valley. Home to over 112 million people, it holds the title of the most populous nation in the Arab world. Egypt's economy is the second largest in Africa, characterized by a diverse labor market that is challenged by a high unemployment rate, particularly among youth. The country has a presidential republic governance structure, with a significant historical backdrop that shapes its contemporary political landscape.

Geography

Egypt occupies a strategic location in Northern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The geography features a vast desert plateau, with the Nile River serving as the lifeline for its agricultural activities and population distribution.

Area: 1,001,450 sq km
Major river: The Nile, approximately 6,650 km long, supports most of the population.
Natural resources: Includes petroleum, natural gas, and various minerals.
Climate: Characterized by hot, dry summers and moderate winters.

People and Society

Egypt's population is projected to reach approximately 112.87 million by 2025, with a youthful demographic and a high literacy rate of about 79.5%. The society is predominantly Muslim, with about 90% adhering to Sunni Islam and a notable Coptic Christian minority.

Median age: 24.6 years (2025 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.4% (2025 est.)
Urbanization: About 43.1% of the population resides in urban areas (2023).
Life expectancy: 75 years at birth (2024 est.).

Economy

Egypt has the second-largest economy in Africa, striving for diversification and improvement in fiscal policies. Despite challenges like inflation and unemployment, the nation is focusing on extensive infrastructure projects and energy cooperation.

GDP (PPP): Approximately $1.958 trillion (2024 est.).
GDP growth rate: 2.4% (2024 est.).
Unemployment rate: 7.2% (2024 est.).
Poverty rate: 29.7% below the national poverty line (2019 est.).

Government

Egypt operates as a presidential republic, with significant political history that impacts its current governance. The government is characterized by a mixed legal system influenced by Islamic law and remnants of colonial-era laws.

Current President: Abdel Fattah EL-SISI, re-elected in 2023.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 18 years of age.
Administrative divisions: Comprised of 27 governorates.
Constitution: Last amended in 2014.

Military and Security

The Egyptian Armed Forces are pivotal in both defense and internal security, influencing the political landscape considerably. The military is equipped with a mix of modern and legacy systems.

Active personnel: Approximately 450,000 (2025).
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.).
Deployment:
- 775 troops in the Central African Republic.
- 1,100 in Somalia.

Energy

Egypt has achieved full electrification and is working towards enhancing its energy infrastructure. The energy sector heavily relies on fossil fuels but is gradually incorporating renewable sources.

Installed electricity capacity: 59.68 million kW (2023 est.).
Electricity consumption: 162.026 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Natural gas production: 57.181 billion cubic meters (2023 est.).

Environment

Rapid population growth poses significant challenges to Egypt's natural resources, leading to issues such as soil salination and water pollution.

Environmental agreements: Party to multiple international agreements including the Paris Agreement.
Water resources: Limited natural freshwater sources apart from the Nile.
Urban population: Defined at 43.1% (2023).

Transportation

Egypt has a developed transportation network that includes a mix of land, air, and maritime transport systems.

Airports: 73 (2025).
Railway: Total of 5,085 km (2014).
Merchant marine fleet: 441 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communications sector in Egypt is growing, with significant mobile and internet penetration.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 113 million (2024 est.).
Internet users: 73% of the population (2023 est.).
Telephones - fixed lines: 13.3 million (2024 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	112,870,457 (2025 est.)	Total population projection
Area	1,001,450 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$1.958 trillion	Estimated GDP for 2024
Unemployment rate	7.2%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy	75 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy rate	79.5%	Total population (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	34.975 million Btu/person	Total energy per capita (2023 est.)
Inflation rate	28.3%	Estimated for 2024
Urbanization rate	43.1%	Total urban population (2023)
Military expenditures	0.7%	Of GDP for 2024