Egypt: cost of living

What is the price of petrol in Egypt?

Gasoline 92 costs EGP 22.25 a litre, gasoline 95 EGP 24 and gasoline 80 EGP 20.75, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources price table on 15 October 2026. Diesel (solar) and kerosene cost EGP 20.5 a litre, and a household gas cylinder EGP 275.

Fuel prices in Egypt are set by the government rather than by the market. The Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026 notes increases in LPG and natural gas prices in March 2026 and their knock-on effect on restaurant and café prices. Check the ministry page for the latest prices before filling up.

Official sources: Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources · CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF)

How much does electricity cost in Egypt?

Households in Egypt pay 68 piastres per kWh for the first 50 kWh a month and 78 piastres for 51 to 100 kWh, under the tariff in force from April 2026 published by EgyptERA. Households using 101 to 1,000 kWh pay 95 piastres up to 200 kWh, 155 for 201 to 350 and 195 for 351 to 650. Above 650 kWh every unit costs 210 piastres, and above 1,000 kWh 258.

One pound is 100 piastres. The tiered system charges heavy users more. According to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report, the April 2026 adjustment for the higher household tranches raised electricity prices by 2.1% in May 2026.

Official sources: EgyptERA: electricity tariff from April 2026 · CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF)

How fast are food prices rising in Egypt?

Fruit and vegetable prices in Egypt were 18.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Egypt inflation statistics. Headline urban inflation was 13.9% and regulated-item prices rose 12.0%.

Fruit and vegetables are the most volatile part of the basket. The CBE's September 2026 policy statement says falling food inflation was the main reason headline inflation eased in August 2026, offsetting higher electricity tariffs and rents. CAPMAS publishes the full price index, by group, every month.

Official sources: CBE: inflation rates · CBE: MPC press release, 24 September 2026

How much have living costs risen in Egypt?

Consumer prices in Egypt's cities rose 13.9% in the year to September 2026, according to the Central Bank of Egypt inflation press release. Prices rose 1.3% in September alone, after near-zero or negative monthly changes of -0.4%, 0.0% and 0.1% in June, July and August, according to the CBE's policy statement.

The CBE's Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026 says services, especially rents, drove almost half of annual inflation in the second quarter of 2026, with regulated items such as electricity adding 3.08 percentage points. Annual inflation averaged 33.9% in 2023 and 28.3% in 2024, according to the World Bank, so living costs remain far above their level of a few years ago.

Official sources: CBE: CPI press release, September 2026 · CBE: MPC press release, 24 September 2026 · CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF) · World Bank: inflation, consumer prices, Egypt

What is the poverty rate in Egypt?

33.5% of Egyptians lived below the national poverty line in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. At the international extreme poverty line of US$3.00 a day (2021 prices), the World Bank puts the rate at 1.4%.

The national line is set for Egyptian living costs and is far higher than the international extreme poverty line, which is why the two rates differ so much. Both are based on CAPMAS household surveys. The figures predate the high inflation of 2023 and 2024, so poverty may have changed since.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Egypt · World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, Egypt

What is the inflation rate in Egypt?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Egypt was 14.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 33.9%; its low point was 2005, at 4.9%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.9%; Egypt is 3rd highest of 18. Worldwide: 11th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Egypt?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $3,747. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: $2,629; Egypt is 4th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 66th of 124.

What share of people in Egypt live in extreme poverty?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 1.4%. The peak was 3.7% in 2008 and the low 1.2% in 2012. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 0.7%, and Egypt placed 2nd highest of 5. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 34th highest.

What share of Egypt lives below the poverty line?

In 2021, the share of people below the national poverty line in Egypt was 33.5%, according to the World Bank. Worldwide: 17th of 72.

What is income inequality in Egypt?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Egypt was 28.5 in 2021. The peak was 31.9 in 2019 and the low 28.3 in 2012. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 33.7; Egypt is 5th highest of 5. Worldwide: 69th of 80.

How many people in Egypt go hungry?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Egypt at 29.9% in 2024. The peak was 33.1% in 2017 and the low 27.3% in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.2%, and Egypt placed 6th highest of 13. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 53rd highest.