Egypt

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
The 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. Egypt has been ruled by many nations, becoming independent in 1952.

Geography

Area
total : 1,001,450 sq km
land: 995,450 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km

Climate
desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

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

People and Society

Population
total: 111,247,248 (2024 est.)

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

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

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

Population growth rate
1.49% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Cairo

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)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA GARG (since 15 November 2023)

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)
$1.958 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.912 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.842 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$16,800 (2024 est.)
$16,700 (2023 est.)
$16,400 (2022 est.)

Exports
$68.218 billion (2023 est.)
$76.295 billion (2022 est.)
$58.339 billion (2021 est.)

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

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, garments, crude petroleum (2023)

Imports
$82.265 billion (2023 est.)
$97.144 billion (2022 est.)
$94.039 billion (2021 est.)

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.754, ranking it 100th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 141st out of 158 countries tested with a score of 3.781. (more information)