Egypt: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Egypt?

Egypt's unemployment rate was 6.0% in the first quarter of 2026, down from 6.3% a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026, based on CAPMAS Labour Force Survey data. The CBE says employment grew faster than the labour force.

CAPMAS publishes the quarterly Labour Force Survey on its website, which could only be viewed with a full browser on 15 October 2026, so the latest quarter could not be checked directly. The rate counts people who have no work and are looking for it, so people who are neither working nor searching are left out; only 18.5% of women were in the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF) · CAPMAS · World Bank: female labour force participation, Egypt

What is the minimum wage in Egypt?

The minimum wage for government employees rises to EGP 8,000 a month in fiscal year 2026/27, from EGP 7,000 the year before, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026, which describes the 2026/27 budget. The budget also includes extra incentives for staff in education and health.

The increase is the main reason the government's wage bill is set to rise by almost 21%. The minimum wage for private-sector workers is set separately by the National Council for Wages, whose website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so its current level could not be confirmed here.

Official sources: CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF)

Are wages in Egypt keeping up with inflation?

Real wages in Egypt grew 1.3% in the year to the first quarter of 2026, down from 11.0% a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026. The CBE puts the slowdown down to slower growth in nominal wages and a rise in inflation.

Real wage growth is nominal pay growth minus inflation. The CBE notes that real wage levels remain below where they were before inflation outpaced nominal wage growth up to June 2024, so pay has not yet recovered all the purchasing power lost in the 2023 to 2024 inflation surge. Annual inflation was 13.9% in September 2026, according to the CBE.

Official sources: CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF) · CBE: CPI press release, September 2026

What is youth unemployment in Egypt?

Youth unemployment in Egypt was 18.3% of the labour force aged 15 to 24 in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate published by the World Bank, up from 17.3% in 2024.

The modelled estimate is built from CAPMAS Labour Force Survey data and adjusted to a common international method, so it can differ slightly from national figures. CAPMAS publishes age breakdowns in its quarterly and annual labour force reports.

Official sources: World Bank: youth unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Egypt

How many women in Egypt are in the labour force?

18.5% of Egyptian women aged 15 and over were in the labour force in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate published by the World Bank. The rate was 15.2% in 2022.

The labour force counts people who are working or looking for work. A low participation rate also keeps the unemployment rate down, because women who would like work but are not searching are not counted as unemployed. CAPMAS publishes participation by sex and region in its Labour Force Survey.

Official sources: World Bank: female labour force participation, Egypt

What is Egypt's minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Egypt was 6,000 EGP a month (about $132), according to the ILO. In 2013 the figure was 700 EGP a month.

What is the average monthly salary in Egypt?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Egypt at $109 a month in 2024. No year since 2012 has been lower. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 73rd highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Egypt?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Egypt was 6.8%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.5% (2022) to 13.2% (2013). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Egypt is 12th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 57th highest.

How many young people in Egypt are unemployed?

18.3%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Egypt for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 16.3% (2022) to 34.4% (2012). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.3%, and Egypt placed 11th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 55th highest.

How many people in Egypt are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Egypt was 44.6% in 2025. The peak was 49.4% in 2010 and the low 41.6% in 2020. It is 12th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 158th highest.

How many women in Egypt are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Egypt was 18.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 14.6% (2020) to 23.3% (2007). It is 14th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 167th highest.

How many people in Egypt are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Egypt at 41.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 45.0%; its low point was 2020, at 38.3%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.0%, and Egypt placed 10th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 153rd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Egypt?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Egypt was 23.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 16.0% (2012) to 24.3% (2023). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 21.6%, and Egypt placed 10th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 103rd highest.

How many people in Egypt are employees?

73.0%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Egypt for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 73.8%; its low point was 2007, at 66.9%. It is 12th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 74.1%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 69th highest.