Egypt: immigration

How many refugees are in Egypt?

Egypt hosted 220,033 refugees and 878,268 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. At the end of 2024 there were 238,014 refugees and 638,948 asylum seekers.

The rise in asylum seekers mainly reflects people fleeing the war in Sudan. Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided: Sudanese asylum seekers alone numbered 796,517. The figures count only those registered with UNHCR, so they do not include many other foreign nationals living in Egypt. UNHCR publishes them on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Egypt as asylum country (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many Sudanese refugees are in Egypt?

834,201 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Egypt at the end of 2025: 37,684 refugees and 796,517 asylum seekers, according to UNHCR population statistics by country of origin. Syrians were the next largest group, with 117,364 refugees, followed by South Sudanese and Eritreans.

Most Sudanese are counted as asylum seekers because their claims have not yet been decided. The figures count only people registered with UNHCR; the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder has full breakdowns.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Egypt by origin (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How much money do Egyptians abroad send home?

Egyptians working abroad sent home about US$33.9 billion in January to August 2026, up 27.2% from about US$26.6 billion a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Egypt remittances release. In August 2026 alone remittances were about US$4.2 billion.

For the full fiscal year 2025/26, remittances rose 29.6% to US$47.3 billion, according to the CBE balance of payments release, more than tourism revenue (US$18.4 billion) and Suez Canal receipts (US$4.4 billion) combined.

Official sources: CBE: remittances, August 2026 · CBE: balance of payments press release, FY 2025/26 (PDF)

How many foreign-born people live in Egypt?

Egypt had 1,139,820 international migrants in 2024, up from 602,472 in 2020, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UN Population Division estimates.

International migrants are people living in a country other than the one where they were born, including refugees. UNHCR registered 834,201 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt at the end of 2025, according to its population statistics. The UN estimates are based on census and survey data and on refugee registrations, so they differ from UNHCR's registration counts.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Egypt · UNHCR: population data for Egypt by origin (API)

How many Egyptians seek asylum abroad?

23,763 Egyptian refugees and 46,292 Egyptian asylum seekers were recorded abroad at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. At the end of 2024 the figures were 23,736 and 55,917.

The figures count people from Egypt who are recognised as refugees or have pending asylum claims in other countries. Most Egyptians who live abroad are labour migrants, not refugees, and their remittances, which reached US$47.3 billion in 2025/26 according to the Central Bank of Egypt balance of payments release, are far more significant for the economy.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Egypt as origin country (API) · CBE: balance of payments press release, FY 2025/26 (PDF)

How many immigrants live in Egypt?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Egypt was 1.0% in 2024. It was 0.5% in 2015. It is 16th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 11.5%. World rank, highest first: 150th of 193.

Are more people leaving Egypt than arriving?

-57,305: that is net migration in Egypt for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 305,006; its low point was 2010, at -194,100. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was -376, and Egypt placed 19th highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 174th highest.

How many refugees does Egypt host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 220,033. Since 2005 it has ranged from 88,014 (2006) to 294,632 (2022). It is 7th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 15,377. Worldwide: 32nd of 169.

How many refugees have fled Egypt?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 23,763. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6,288 (2005) to 27,498 (2021). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 7,322; Egypt is 7th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 44th of 189.

How big are remittances in Egypt's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Egypt at 11.4% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 0.6% of GDP. Worldwide: 13th of 127.