As of 2022, the poverty rate was projected at 27.9 percent in Egypt. This was nearly 0.7 percentage points less than the year before. Overall, from 2018 onwards, the poverty rate dropped to 29.2 percent in 2019, before increasing again to about 32 percent in 2020. Since 2020, projected poverty rates have followed a declining trend. They are expected to decrease further in 2023. The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic contributed to the increase of the poverty rate in 2020.

Adjusted national poverty lines   

National poverty lines are calculated based on consumption patterns of households in the country and are therefore adjustable over the years. Egypt’s national poverty line stood at 10,300 Egyptian pounds (comparable to 561.91 U.S. dollars) annually as of 2019/2020. This was an increase from 3,100 Egyptian pounds (169.12 U.S. dollars) ten years prior. In November 2016, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) declared that it fully floated the Egyptian pound, causing the currency devaluation.

 Poverty more prevalent among larger households    

Poverty rates in the country were higher in households with more individuals. In households with ten or more members, the rate was as high as 80.6 percent in 2019/2020. On the other hand, the poverty rate was significantly lower among households with one to three members. Moreover, Rural Egypt had a higher share of population considered poor compared to Urban Egypt. In fact, in its rural areas in Upper Egypt, the poverty rate reached nearly 43 percent.   

In 2021, there were 30.6 million people in poverty in Egypt. This was a drop of two million compared to the previous year. The population living under the national poverty line dropped to 29.3 million in 2019 before an increment of 3.3 million in 2020, probably due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

EG: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data was reported at 3.900 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.100 % for 2012. EG: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 3.900 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.200 % in 1995 and a record low of 3.800 % in 1990. EG: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

As of 2019/2020, the poverty rate was at 29.7 percent of the total population in Egypt. Rural areas in Upper Egypt had the largest share of people under the poverty line, nearly 43 percent. Moreover, Rural areas in Lower Egypt followed with 23 percent of the population being categorized as poor. Urban areas in lower Egypt had the lowest share of poor population with almost four percent..

EG: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Total Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data was reported at 0.780 % in 2012. EG: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Total Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 0.780 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2012, with 1 observations. EG: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Total Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank: Poverty. The growth rate in the welfare aggregate of the total population is computed as the annualized average growth rate in per capita real consumption or income of the total population in the income distribution in a country from household surveys over a roughly 5-year period. Mean per capita real consumption or income is measured at 2011 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet). For some countries means are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The annualized growth rate is computed as (Mean in final year/Mean in initial year)^(1/(Final year - Initial year)) - 1. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported. The initial year refers to the nearest survey collected 5 years before the most recent survey available, only surveys collected between 3 and 7 years before the most recent survey are considered. The final year refers to the most recent survey available between 2011 and 2015. Growth rates for Iraq are based on survey means of 2005 PPP$. The coverage and quality of the 2011 PPP price data for Iraq and most other North African and Middle Eastern countries were hindered by the exceptional period of instability they faced at the time of the 2011 exercise of the International Comparison Program. See PovcalNet for detailed explanations.; ; World Bank, Global Database of Shared Prosperity (GDSP) circa 2010-2015 (http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-database-of-shared-prosperity).; ; The comparability of welfare aggregates (consumption or income) for the chosen years T0 and T1 is assessed for every country. If comparability across the two surveys is a major concern for a country, the selection criteria are re-applied to select the next best survey year(s). Annualized growth rates are calculated between the survey years, using a compound growth formula. The survey years defining the period for which growth rates are calculated and the type of welfare aggregate used to calculate the growth rates are noted in the footnotes.

Egypt poverty rate for 2019 was 68.80%, a 3.8% decline from 2017.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Egypt poverty rate for 2017 was <strong>72.60%</strong>, a <strong>8.1% increase</strong> from 2015.</li>
<li>Egypt poverty rate for 2015 was <strong>64.50%</strong>, a <strong>3.3% decline</strong> from 2012.</li>
<li>Egypt poverty rate for 2012 was <strong>67.80%</strong>, a <strong>2.8% decline</strong> from 2010.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

As of 2019/2020, the poverty rate was 29.74 percent of the total population in Egypt. This was 2.76 percentage points lower than in 2017/2018. Overall, since 1999/2000 the poverty rate followed an increasing trend, up from 16.7 percent that year, dropping only 2019/2020.

EG: Income Share Held by Second 20% data was reported at 12.800 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.300 % for 2012. EG: Income Share Held by Second 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 12.850 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.300 % in 2012 and a record low of 12.500 % in 1999. EG: Income Share Held by Second 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

The report, the first in an ongoing program, presents the results of a statistical analysis of household-level data for the periods 1995/1996, and 1999/2000, as a contribution to the preparation of a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy in Egypt. Despite considerable progress towards improving some of the non-income dimensions of poverty, more needs to be done to ease poverty. The main findings suggest a changing picture of poverty in the country, where poverty patterns changed from the urban-rural divide that had characterized the past, to a geographical/regional pattern, highlighting the lack of education as the strongest correlate of poverty. Statistics show that while inequality rose slightly for Egypt as a whole, the level was still comparable to other middle income countries; unemployment was high in urban areas; and, gender differences in poverty were small at an overall level, but were significant across regions, particularly in rural areas. Given the changing, complex picture of poverty in Egypt, a poverty reduction strategy will have to be comprehensive, yet flexible, hence, the report suggests a more sustainable growth in jobs, productivity, and incomes for the poorest; improved educational opportunities both for men, and women; reversal of growing, regional disparities in incomes, opportunities, and services; and, provision of safety nets that protect the most vulnerable.

Rural poverty rate of Egypt jumped by 11.76% from 28.9 % in 2008 to 32.3 % in 2010. Since the 21.27% jump in 2004, rural poverty rate shot up by 20.52% in 2010. Rural poverty rate is the percentage of the rural population living below the national rural poverty line.

Contains data from the World Bank's data portal. There is also a consolidated country dataset on HDX.

For countries with an active poverty monitoring program, the World Bank—in collaboration with national institutions, other development agencies, and civil society—regularly conducts analytical work to assess the extent and causes of poverty and inequality, examine the impact of growth and public policy, and review household survey data and measurement methods. Data here includes poverty and inequality measures generated from analytical reports, from national poverty monitoring programs, and from the World Bank’s Development Research Group which has been producing internationally comparable and global poverty estimates and lines since 1990.

Egypt EG: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 27.800 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.300 % for 2012. Egypt EG: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 23.400 % from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.800 % in 2015 and a record low of 16.700 % in 1999. Egypt EG: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty lines. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

As of 2019/2020, an individual living in Egypt with less than 10,300 Egyptian pounds (around 562.68 U.S. dollars) per year was considered poor. Compared to the previous year, this was an increment from 8,800 Egyptian pounds (480.74 U.S. dollars). The national poverty line in the country grew by over 51 percent between 2015 and 2017/2018. In November 2016, the Central Bank of Egypt announced that it had fully floated the Egyptian pound.

72.6 (%) in 2017. Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Egypt EG: Number of People Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure data was reported at 23,000,000.000 Person in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,200,000.000 Person for 2008. Egypt EG: Number of People Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure data is updated yearly, averaging 10,200,000.000 Person from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2012, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,000,000.000 Person in 2012 and a record low of 5,053,000.000 Person in 1997. Egypt EG: Number of People Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank: Poverty. Number of people spending more than 10% of household consumption or income on out-of-pocket health care expenditure; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on catastrophic health spending: results for 133 countries. A retrospective observational study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Sum;

EG: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 18.500 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 23.200 % for 2012. EG: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 26.300 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.300 % in 1995 and a record low of 18.500 % in 2015. EG: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty gap at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $5.50 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

65 to 74 years Poverty Rate Statistics for 2022. This is part of a larger dataset covering poverty in Egypt Lake-Leto, Florida by age, education, race, gender, work experience and more.

The incidence of poverty increases in Egypt as the number of household members grows. Nearly 81 percent of the households with ten or more people were living under the national poverty line in 2019/2020. This was higher than both in 2015 and 2017/2018. In comparison, only 7.5 percent of the households with one to three members were poor in 2019/2020.

Egypt Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 21.400 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.700 % for 2017. Egypt Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 23.100 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.800 % in 1990 and a record low of 18.300 % in 2012. Egypt Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2017 U.S. dollars and defined as max($2.15, $1.15 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $2.15. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Unemployment Rate in Egypt decreased to 6.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 6.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Egypt Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.