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.

There were nearly 2.45 million unemployed people in Egypt in 2024. The number slightly increased compared to the preceding year, when around 2.44 million people were unemployed in the country. Overall, unemployment in Egypt dropped between 2014 and 2019, while following an increasing trend from 2020 onwards.

The unemployment rate in Egypt stood at 7.1 percent as of the third quarter of 2023. Compared to the previous quarter, the rate increased from seven percent. In the observed period, the unemployment rate fluctuated, peaking in the second quarter of 2020. Notably, the unemployment rate among women was higher than that among men.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Egypt amounted to 7.2 percent. Between 1991 and 2024, the figure dropped by 2.18 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

The unemployment rate in Egypt stood at seven percent as of the second quarter of 2023. In the observed period, the unemployment rate among women was higher than that among men. In the second quarter of 2020, the rate among women dropped to 16.3 percent from 21.9 percent, while it reached its highest rate among men at 8.5 percent.

Abstract

THE CLEANED AND HARMONIZED VERSION OF THE SURVEY DATA PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH FORUM REPRESENTS 100% OF THE ORIGINAL SURVEY DATA COLLECTED BY THE CENTRAL AGENCY FOR PUBLIC MOBILIZATION AND STATISTICS (CAPMAS)

In any society, the human element represents the basis of the work force which exercises all the service and production activities. Therefore, it is a mandate to produce labor force statistics and studies, that is related to the growth and distribution of manpower and labor force distribution by different types and characteristics.

In this context, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics conducts "Quarterly Labor Force Survey" which includes data on the size of manpower and labor force (employed and unemployed) and their geographical distribution by their characteristics.

By the end of each year, CAPMAS issues the annual aggregated labor force bulletin publication that includes the results of the quarterly survey rounds that represent the manpower and labor force characteristics during the year.

---> Historical Review of the Labor Force Survey:

1- The First Labor Force survey was undertaken in 1957. The first round was conducted in November of that year, the survey continued to be conducted in successive rounds (quarterly, bi-annually, or annually) till now.

2- Starting the October 2006 round, the fieldwork of the labor force survey was developed to focus on the following two points: a. The importance of using the panel sample that is part of the survey sample, to monitor the dynamic changes of the labor market. b. Improving the used questionnaire to include more questions, that help in better defining of relationship to labor force of each household member (employed, unemployed, out of labor force ...etc.). In addition to re-order of some of the already existing questions in much logical way.

3- Starting the January 2008 round, the used methodology was developed to collect more representative sample during the survey year. this is done through distributing the sample of each governorate into five groups, the questionnaires are collected from each of them separately every 15 days for 3 months (in the middle and the end of the month)

4- Starting the January 2012 round, in order to follow the international recommendation, to avoid asking extra questions that affect the precision and accuracy of the collected data, a shortened version of the questionnaire was designed to include the core questions that enable obtaining the basic Egyptian labor market indicators. The shortened version is collected usually in three rounds, while the long version that includes more information on housing conditions and immigration of the questionnaire is usually collected in one round .

---> The survey aims at covering the following topics:

1- Measuring the size of the Egyptian labor force among civilians (for all governorates of the republic) by their different characteristics. 2- Measuring the employment rate at national level and different geographical areas. 3- Measuring the distribution of employed people by the following characteristics: Gender, age, educational status, occupation, economic activity, and sector. 4- Measuring unemployment rate at different geographic areas. 5- Measuring the distribution of unemployed people by the following characteristics: Gender, age, educational status, unemployment type “ever employed/never employed”, occupation, economic activity, and sector for people who have ever worked.

The raw survey data provided by the Statistical Agency were cleaned and harmonized by the Economic Research Forum, in the context of a major project that started in 2009. During which extensive efforts have been exerted to acquire, clean, harmonize, preserve and disseminate micro data of existing labor force surveys in several Arab countries.

Geographic coverage

Covering a sample of urban and rural areas in all the governorates.

Analysis unit

1- Household/family. 2- Individual/person.

Universe

The survey covered a national sample of households and all individuals permanently residing in surveyed households.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

THE CLEANED AND HARMONIZED VERSION OF THE SURVEY DATA PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH FORUM REPRESENTS 100% OF THE ORIGINAL SURVEY DATA COLLECTED BY THE CENTRAL AGENCY FOR PUBLIC MOBILIZATION AND STATISTICS (CAPMAS)

---> Sample Design and Selection

The sample of Labor Force Survey is a two-stage stratified cluster sample and selfweighted to the extent practical.

The main elements of the sampling design are described as follows:

• Sample Size Sample size designed for each quarter is 22500 households with a total of 90000 households per year (Designed Sample 89982, Implemented Sample 77002) , allocated 45.4% for Urban and 54.6 % for rural over all governorates ( urban / rural) in proportion to the size of each governorate , the sample divided to : a. New Households with sample size 11502 households for each quarter. b. Panel households with sample size 10998 households for each quarter selected from the same quarter in year 2020.

• Cluster size The cluster size is 18 households.

• Sampling stages:

A- First sampling stage: (1) Primary Sampling Unit: The 2017 population census data was used to obtain an electronic list of areas of aid, or in other words, enumeration areas (EAS) with an average of 600-750 households through all the republic. This list represents the framework of the first phase of the sample, where 10,000 auxiliary areas were selected as primary sampling units (PSU) for the first phase of the main sample. (2) Stratification and allocation of the initial inspection unit: The governorate is considered the primary layer, which is divided into urban and rural as sub-classes, where the allocation commensurate with the size of the sample between governorates, and between urban and rural areas in each governorate in the first phase of inspection, in order to achieve selfweighting of the basic and sub-classes at the national level .

B- SECOND Sampling phase: (1) The division of each initial survey into a number of parts approximately equal in size (200 households / part), each part is called an area plot. (2) Selecting an area plot (one part of each primary sampling unit) using the simple random sampling method.

C- THIRD stage of Sampling: 1- The basic sample areas (10,000 area plots) were divided into four groups, each group contain 2,500 area plots) using the simple random sampling method, and one of the most important advantages of random division is that each area plot has the same opportunity to appear between the four groups. 2- Field work is carried out into four phases (each phase is executed every two years). The implementation of the first phase began since March 2018. 3- The goal of this subdivision is to ensure that the sample is not outdated for as long as possible, and that household data are constantly updated. 4- The representation of urban and rural areas at the level of the governorates of the Republic has been taken into account.

D- Sample Allocation among Governorates: Governorate is considered the primary main strata that divided into substrata (Urban/ Rural), allocation proportional to size was determined among governorates as well as among urban and rural in each governorate at the first sampling stage.

Sample frame first Stage: The Census lists of EA's for each strata constitute the frame of the sample first stage. The identification information appears on the EA's list includes District code,(Shiakha/Village)code, Census Supervisor and enumerator numbers, Census Supervisor number is unique at the level of (Shiakha /Village), while the enumerator number is unique within the EA enumeration assigned to supervisor. During investigating the list of EA's with regard to the number of households and their consistency with each EA, it has been found that number of households at these EA's are below the average ( less than 200 household ). The reason for that is that some enumerators included institutional households which have been excluded later and includes only households habiting in private housing. As a result, a decision was made to adjoin any EA with less than 160 H.H. to an adjacent one. Thus, in those exceptional cases the primary Sampling Units (PSU) consists of two EA's. To select the primary sampling units (Sampling first stage), the frame was arranged to provide implicit stratification with regard to the geographic location, where the urban of each governorate was arranged in a spiral according to the geographic location (kism / district). The same sort of ordering was made on the rural frame, but according to the district location. The systematic selection of EA's sample from such a sorted frame will ensure balanced distribution of the sample over the substrata of respective governorates, After this stage, the sample was selected with probability proportional to Size (PPS), of census households number in EA (200 households) was taken as a Measure of Size (MOS). The Sample households was selected from each EA using equal probability of the systematic selection method.

D- Division of Primary Sampling Unit: Primary sampling unit (5000 EA) was divided into four rounds, each has (1250 EA). Then the household sample was then selected from each EA with equal probability, using the systematic selection method normally. The table (B) shows designed, implemented sample and Response Rate according to governorate (Urban & Rural).

A more detailed description of the different sampling stages and allocation of sample across

Key information about Egypt Labour Force Participation Rate

• Egypt Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 43.4 % in Jun 2023, compared with 42.7 % in the previous year.
• Egypt Labour Force Participation Rate is updated yearly, available from Jun 2009 to Jun 2023, with an average rate of 46.6 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 49.3 % in Jun 2010 and a record low of 41.5 % in Jun 2020.
• Egypt Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by Central Bank of Egypt.
• In the latest reports, Egypt Population reached 106.6 million people in Jun 2024.
• Unemployment Rate of Egypt increased to 6.7 % in Sep 2024.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 163.1 USD in Dec 2023.

Key information about Egypt Unemployment Rate

• Egypt Unemployment Rate increased to 6.70% in Sep 2024, from the previously reported figure of 6.50% in Jun 2024.
• Egypt Unemployment Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2003 to Sep 2024, with an average rate of 10.00%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13.40% in Mar 2014 and a record low of 6.50% in Jun 2024.
• The data is reported by reported by Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.
• In the latest reports, Egypt Population reached 106.60 million people in Jun 2024.

Viet Nam's Unemployment rate is 2.27% which is the 173rd highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Unemployment rate in Viet Nam and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Viet Nam), (Egypt vs. Congo, the Democratic Republic of the vs. Viet Nam) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Egypt EG:(GDP) Gross Domestic Productper Person Employed: 2017 PPP data was reported at 46,467.287 Intl $ in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 45,721.801 Intl $ for 2021. Egypt EG:(GDP) Gross Domestic Productper Person Employed: 2017 PPP data is updated yearly, averaging 32,136.261 Intl $ from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2022, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46,866.404 Intl $ in 2020 and a record low of 24,827.499 Intl $ in 1994. Egypt EG:(GDP) Gross Domestic Productper Person Employed: 2017 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: Employment and Unemployment. GDP per person employed is gross domestic product (GDP) divided by total employment in the economy. Purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP is GDP converted to 2017 constant international dollars using PPP rates. An international dollar has the same purchasing power over GDP that a U.S. dollar has in the United States.;World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on employment, population, GDP, and PPP data obtained from International Labour Organization, United Nations Population Division, Eurostat, OECD, and World Bank.;Weighted average;

Inflation Rate in Egypt decreased to 14.90 percent in June from 16.80 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Egypt Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about Egypt population

• The Egypt population reached 106.6 million people in Jun 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 105.2 million people in Jun 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 106.6 million people in Jun 2024 and a record low of 40.6 million people in Jun 1980

Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics provides Mid-year Population. Population is in annual frequency, ending in June of each year.


Further information about Egypt population data

• In the latest reports, Egypt Unemployment Rate increased to 6.7 % in Sep 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Egypt population was 163.1 USD in Dec 2023
• Egypt Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 43.4 % in Jun 2023

As of 2023, the labor force in Egypt consisted of nearly 33.4 million people, which was higher than the previous year. In general, the number of currently employed or unemployed people seeking work increased, reaching its peak in 2023. Between 2016 and 2019, it followed an overall slight declining trend. Furthermore, the most significant proportion in 2022 had completed a technical or general secondary education degree. A huge gender gap in labor participation. The Egyptian labor market faced several obstacles, one of which is gender disparity. For instance, only 16.5 percent of Egyptian women were economically active. In contrast, this figure was much higher for men between 15 years and older at nearly 71.3 percent. In addition, the unemployment rate was higher for women reaching 17.3 percent as of the second quarter of 2023. Alternatively, the male unemployment rate was significantly lower at close to five percent.   An informal market that absorbs the majority of employment. The country has a large informal market. In particular, almost two-thirds of the employment occurred in the shadow market in 2019, putting burden on the Egyptian economy. Not surprisingly, the gender gap persists in the informal sector. In 2020, out of the 17.5 million working without official documentation in the country, a staggering 89 percent were men.

Os dados de Taxa de Desemprego do Egito foram registrados em 6.70 % em 2024-09. Este é um registro de um aumento com relação aos números anteriores de 6.50 % em 2024-06. Os dados de Taxa de Desemprego do Egito são atualizados trimestral, com uma média de 10.00 % em 2003-03 até 2024-09, com 87 observações. Os dados alcançaram um alto recorde de 13.40 % em 2014-03 e um baixo recorde de 6.50 % em 2024-06. Os dados de Taxa de Desemprego do Egito permanecem com status ativo na CEIC e são reportados pela fonte: Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Os dados são classificados sob o Global Database’ Egito – Table EG.G016: Unemployment and Unemployment Rate.

The unemployment rate in Egypt decreased by 0.1 percentage points (-1.36 percent) in 2024 in comparison to the previous year. This marks the lowest unemployment rate during the observed period. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.Find more statistics on other topics about Egypt with key insights such as number of children out of school, gross enrollment ratio for secondary school students , and gross tertiary enrollment ratio.

Key information about Egypt Monthly Earnings

• Egypt Monthly Earnings stood at 163 USD in Dec 2023, compared with the previous figure of 219 USD in Dec 2022
• Egypt Monthly Earnings data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1999 to Dec 2023, with an average number of 236 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 456 USD in Dec 2015 and a record low of 119 USD in Dec 2003

CEIC calculates Monthly Earnings from Average Weekly Earnings multiplied by 4 and converts it into USD. Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics provides Average Weekly Wages in local currency. The Central Bank of Egypt average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.


Further information about Egypt Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, Egypt Population reached 107 million people in Jun 2024
• Unemployment Rate of Egypt increased to 7 % in Sep 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 43 % in Jun 2023

As of January 1, 2023, the aggregate Egyptian population stood at 104.46 million inhabitants. The majority of the population was between zero and four years, adding to over 14 million children. Moreover, the population of Egypt is skewed towards the younger generations, with the population count in each older generation being lower than the previous. The elderly aged 75 years and older amounted to almost one million people. A population that doubled twice Since 1952, the Egyptian population has doubled, in 1980 and 2012, reaching almost 86.5 million. Among the reasons linked to the increasing population is better health services provided for most Egyptians since the establishment of the Egyptian Republic. In more recent years, the population growth in the country increased compared to previous years until 2014, reaching 2.34 percent before decreasing yearly. A job market that needs to absorb a young and growing population Since 2022, the number of new jobs created in the country has recovered compared to between 2018 and 2020. This is evident with the dropping youth unemployment rate in Egypt. However, the youth unemployment rate remains relatively high and stood at 15.7 percent in 2022. This poses a considerable obstacle for a young-growing population looking for work opportunities. In addition, the country registered a drop in youth participation rate in the labor force since 2013 (except for a slight increase in 2021). The rate was almost 20.6 percent in 2020 compared to 34.5 percent seven years prior. 

In 2024, the labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 in Egypt amounted to 45.29 percent. Between 1990 and 2024, the figure dropped by 3.49 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

（停止更新）雇员的人均国内生产总值（GDP）：2017 PPP在12-01-2022达46,467.287Intl $，相较于12-01-2021的45,721.801Intl $有所增长。（停止更新）雇员的人均国内生产总值（GDP）：2017 PPP数据按年更新，12-01-1991至12-01-2022期间平均值为32,136.261Intl $，共32份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-2020，达46,866.404Intl $，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-1994，为24,827.499Intl $。CEIC提供的（停止更新）雇员的人均国内生产总值（GDP）：2017 PPP数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于World Bank，数据归类于全球数据库的埃及 – Table EG.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment。

In 2018, the average inflation rate in Egypt amounted to about 20.85 percent, a slight decrease compared to the previous year, when it peaked at 23.53 percent.

Political unrest

Egypt has been shaken by political unrest and turmoil for years now, and these events affect the economy as well. On January 25, 2011, Egyptians started protesting police brutality under then-president Hosni Mubarak, demanding an end to his reign. The protests were met with violence by armed forces, resulting in more unrest and looting. In the end, hundreds of Egyptians had lost their lives and over 6,000 were injured. After Mubarak’s subsequent resignation and the Muslim Brotherhood taking power in the country, Mohamed Morsi was elected President in 2012. He also was overthrown a year later after protests and was imprisoned. The current President, Abdel Fattah es-Sisi, was involved in overthrowing Morsi and took office in June 2014. Sisi introduced a number of economic reforms, but they did not succeed in stabilizing Egypt’s economy.

Economic unrest

2017 saw the Egyptian inflation rate skyrocket from 10.2 percent in 2016 to more than double that at 23.5 percent. Ever since, inflation has recovered only slowly, although projections today see it levelling off below ten percent in the future. Around the same year, Egypt’s GDP dropped to below 240 billion U.S. dollars, a historical low. Unemployment, another key indicator, has steadily been between 12 to 13 percent - one reason for this is Egypt’s reliance on agriculture, which does not factor into the unemployment rate. National debt has also increased dramatically over the last few years. All in all, the times of economic unrest are not yet over.