Egypt: environment

How much CO2 does Egypt emit?

Egypt emitted 291.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 275.8 million in 2023. That is about 2.5 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series.

Most of Egypt's CO2 comes from burning natural gas and oil. Emissions grew 5.7% in 2024. The Central Bank of Egypt balance of payments release shows natural gas imports up by US$4.7 billion in 2025/26 because of larger imported quantities. Egypt's own inventory reported to the UN uses different methods and years.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Egypt · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Egypt · CBE: balance of payments press release, FY 2025/26 (PDF)

How bad is air pollution in Egypt?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in Egypt was 43.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 39.7 in 2020. The World Health Organization guideline is 5.

The figure is a national average estimated from satellite and ground data, weighted by population, so it does not show daily peaks in Cairo. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency publishes air quality forecasts and runs a World Bank-funded project on air pollution and climate change in Greater Cairo.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Egypt · Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

How much of Egypt's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 12.2% of Egypt's electricity in 2021, up from 8.0% in 2018, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. 2021 is the latest year in the series.

The World Bank series lags several years, so it does not reflect plants that came online after 2021. Egypt's natural gas imports rose by US$4.7 billion in 2025/26, according to the Central Bank of Egypt balance of payments release, because of larger imported quantities.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Egypt · CBE: balance of payments press release, FY 2025/26 (PDF)

How much water does Egypt have?

Egypt's renewable internal freshwater resources were 8.9 cubic metres per person in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, down from 9.3 in 2019 as the population grew.

The figure counts only water generated by rain and groundwater within Egypt's borders, so it leaves out the Nile, which flows into Egypt from upstream countries. It shows how dependent Egypt is on water from outside its borders. Population growth means the amount of water per person keeps falling even when total supply is stable.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable internal freshwater resources per capita, Egypt

What are Egypt's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Egypt was 2.5 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 2.5 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 2.2 tonnes. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.6 tonnes; Egypt is 14th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 94th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Egypt emit?

387 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Egypt for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Egypt is 5th highest of 22. Worldwide: 22nd of 186.

How much renewable energy does Egypt use?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Egypt at 6.1% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 6.7%; its low point was 2017, at 4.9%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.4%; Egypt is 10th highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 156th highest.

How much of Egypt is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Egypt was 0.0%, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.6%. World rank, highest first: 190th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Egypt?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Egypt was 43.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 39.7 micrograms per cubic metre (2020) to 51.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). It is 10th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 17th of 192.

What share of Egypt is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 13.1%. No year since 2013 has been lower. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 9.8%, and Egypt placed 9th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 130th of 192.

How much of Egypt's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Egypt was 141.2% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 8th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 116.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 8th highest.