Economy of Egypt
The business district in Egypt’s planned new capital, a flagship project reflecting the country’s efforts to attract investment, expand infrastructure, and drive economic growth. | |
| Currency | Egyptian pound (ISO code: EGP, abbreviation: LE) |
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| 1 July – 30 June | |
Trade organisations | AfCFTA, African Union, COMESA, CAEU, WTO, BRICS |
Country group | Developing/emerging
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| Statistics | |
| Population | 109,450,000 (2025) |
| GDP |
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| GDP rank | |
GDP growth |
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GDP per capita |
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GDP per capita rank | |
GDP by sector |
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GDP by component |
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Population below poverty line |
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| 31.9 medium (2019) | |
| 35 out of 100 points (2023, 108th rank) | |
Labour force |
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Labour force by occupation |
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| Unemployment |
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Main industries | textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures |
| External | |
| Exports | $51.1 billion (2023) |
Export goods | Refined petroleum, petroleum gas, nitrogenous fertilizers, crude petroleum and gold. |
Main export partners |
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| Imports | $88.2 billion (2023) |
Import goods | Refined petroleum, wheat, petroleum gas, packaged medicaments and cars. |
Main import partners |
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FDI stock | $46.1 billion (2024) |
| -5.8% of GDP (2025) | |
Gross external debt | $155.2 billion (2024) |
| Public finances | |
| 87% of GDP (2025) | |
| $48.14 billion (April 2025) | |
| −$41.80 billion (2025) | |
| Revenues | $57.63 billion (2025) |
| Expenses | $99.43 billion (2025) |
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All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars. | |
The economy of Egypt is a developing, mixed economy, combining private enterprise with centralized economic planning and government regulation. It is the second-largest economy in Africa, and 42nd in worldwide ranking as of 2025. Egypt is a major emerging market economy and a member of the African Union, BRICS, and a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The country is witnessing a period of economic recovery after facing serious financial challenges.
The Egyptian economy has been bolstered by a series of reforms under its sustainable development strategy Egypt Vision 2030, including a dramatic currency flotation in 2024 that led to a 38% depreciation of Egyptian pound against the dollar after securing over $50 billion in international financing. These actions, alongside strategic agreements with global partners such as the IMF, World Bank, the European Union, and the Gulf States, have contributed to an improved credit outlook.
Since the 2000s, structural reforms (including fiscal and monetary policies, taxation, privatization and new business legislation) helped Egypt move towards a more market-oriented economy and increased foreign investment. The reforms and policies strengthened macroeconomic annual growth results and helped to address the country's serious unemployment and poverty rates.
Despite facing significant challenges, especially external shocks such as the global economic impacts of the Ukraine conflict and regional instability, Egypt's economy remains resilient. The government's efforts to engage with international financial markets and stabilize the economy have paved the way for continued growth and further economic integration within the broader African and global markets. The country benefits from political stability; its proximity to Europe, and increased exports.