As of July 1, 2023, the population density of Egypt was close to 937.6 individuals per square kilometer. Cairo, the capital city, was the most densely inhabited in the country, with 5,668.4 people per square kilometer. Kalyoubia followed, with nearly 5,250 inhabitants per square kilometer. Moreover, the third and fourth most densely populated governorates were Alexandria and Gharbia, with around 3,195 people per square kilometer and 2,795 people per square kilometer, respectively. It is worth noting that Cairo, parts of Giza, and Kalyoubia make up Greater Cairo due to their proximity.

As of January 1, 2023, the aggregate Egyptian population was estimated at almost 104.5 million inhabitants. The capital city, Cairo, was the most populated area in the country, with 10.2 million residents. Moreover, the governorate of Giza followed, with up to 9.46 million people living in the area. South Sinai was the least inhabited governorate in the nation. The touristic region had a mere 115,000 people actively residing in the governorate. A scarcely populated area and a populous capitalEgypt has a total area of close to 1.01 million square kilometers. Yet, only around 105,200 square kilometers of the country are inhabited, representing only around 10.5 percent of the available landmass. Most of the Egyptian population lives along the Nile River due to the majority of the land being a desert. In fact, El Wadi ElGidid, also known as New Valley governorate, located in the south of Egypt's Western Desert, covers almost 42.3 percent of the country. Notably, the population density in Cairo was higher compared to the other governorates at over 5,610 people per square kilometer. Population growth and a New Administrative Capital     Since 1952, the country’s population faced a rapid increase growing from close to 21.5 million to current levels. Between 2012 and 2022, the population growth of Egypt was highest in 2014 at nearly 2.34 percent, dropping yearly ever since. In March 2015, Egypt’s current Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who was at that time Minister of Housing and Urban Utilities, announced the establishment of the New Administrative Capital. One of the fundamental goals is to decrease the current overpopulation in Greater Cairo and its inability to absorb a fast-growing population.

In 2022, the population density in Egypt remained nearly unchanged at around 113.13 inhabitants per square kilometer. Nevertheless, 2022 still represents a peak in the population density in Egypt with 113.13 inhabitants per square kilometer. Population density refers to the number of people living in a certain country or area, given as an average per square kilometer. It is calculated by dividing the total midyear population by the total land area.Find more key insights for the population density in countries like Algeria and Morocco.

Cairo, in Egypt, ranked as the most populated city in Africa as of 2025, with an estimated population of over 23 million inhabitants living in Greater Cairo. Kinshasa, in Congo, and Lagos, in Nigeria, followed with some 17.8 million and 17.2 million, respectively. Among the 15 largest cities in the continent, another one, Kano, was located in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. Population density trends in Africa As of 2023, Africa exhibited a population density of 50.1 individuals per square kilometer. Since 2000, the population density across the continent has been experiencing a consistent annual increment. Projections indicated that the average population residing within each square kilometer would rise to approximately 58.5 by the year 2030. Moreover, Mauritius stood out as the African nation with the most elevated population density, exceeding 627 individuals per square kilometre. Mauritius possesses one of the most compact territories on the continent, a factor that significantly influences its high population density. Urbanization dynamics in Africa The urbanization rate in Africa was anticipated to reach close to 45.5 percent in 2024. Urbanization across the continent has consistently risen since 2000, with urban areas accommodating only around a third of the total population then. This trajectory is projected to continue its rise in the years ahead. Nevertheless, the distribution between rural and urban populations shows remarkable diversity throughout the continent. In 2024, Gabon and Libya stood out as Africa’s most urbanized nations, each surpassing 80 percent urbanization. As of the same year, Africa's population was estimated to expand by 2.27 percent compared to the preceding year. Since 2000, the population growth rate across the continent has consistently exceeded 2.3 percent, reaching its pinnacle at 2.63 percent in 2013. Although the growth rate has experienced a deceleration, Africa's population will persistently grow significantly in the forthcoming years.

The Egypt cold chain logistics market presents a compelling investment opportunity, projected to reach $498.43 million in 2025 and exhibiting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 10.28% from 2025 to 2033. This significant growth is fueled by several key factors. The burgeoning horticulture sector, particularly fresh fruit and vegetable production, is a major driver, demanding efficient and reliable cold chain solutions to maintain product quality and extend shelf life. Similarly, the expanding dairy and processed food industries contribute significantly to market demand. Increased consumer preference for fresh, high-quality food products, coupled with rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class, further boosts market expansion. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors rely heavily on temperature-controlled logistics, creating additional demand for specialized cold chain services. While challenges such as infrastructure limitations and fluctuating energy costs exist, the overall positive market outlook is reinforced by government initiatives aimed at modernizing logistics infrastructure and enhancing food safety standards. The market is segmented by service type (storage, transportation, value-added services), temperature range (chilled, frozen), and end-user industry. Key players such as Logistica, Arab Company for Food Industries and Cooling (ACFIC), and Custom Storage Company (CSC) are actively shaping market dynamics through service diversification and technological advancements. The increasing adoption of advanced technologies like GPS tracking, temperature monitoring systems, and data analytics enhances supply chain efficiency and reduces losses. While precise regional breakdowns within Egypt are not provided, it is reasonable to anticipate that population density and proximity to major production and consumption centers will influence regional market share. Future growth will likely be driven by further investments in cold storage infrastructure, improvements in transportation networks, and increased adoption of innovative cold chain technologies to address challenges and unlock further market potential. Recent developments include: December 2022: Cairo 3A - an affiliate of Cairo 3A Group - recently announced the signing of a partnership contract with Driscoll’s International to distribute their goods in the local market. Driscoll is the world’s leading company in cultivating, producing, and exporting blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, berries, and strawberries. Under the partnership agreement, Cairo 3A will be the sole representative for the marketing and sales of these goods in the Egyptian market., Jan 2022: The Chinese company (Sinovac) and the Egyptian Holding Company for Vaccines and Biological Preparations (Vaccera) signed an agreement to establish a cold storage warehouse for vaccines in the Sixth of October City, Giza Governorate, southwest of Cairo.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Evolving consumer preferences towards fresh and frozen products4.2.1.2 Innovations in temperature monitoring systems, fleet management solutions, and warehouse automation. Potential restraints include: 4., Evolving consumer preferences towards fresh and frozen products4.2.1.2 Innovations in temperature monitoring systems, fleet management solutions, and warehouse automation. Notable trends are: Improving local food products.