Egypt: public finances

What is Egypt's budget deficit?

Egypt's budget deficit is targeted at 4.9% of GDP in fiscal year 2026/27, down from an estimated 6.1% in 2025/26, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026, which summarises the budget approved by Parliament. The primary surplus, which excludes interest payments, is projected to rise to 5.0% of GDP from 4.7%.

Revenues are expected to reach 16.5% of GDP and spending 21.1%. Egypt runs a large primary surplus because interest payments take up so much of the budget. The figures cover the budget sector, as defined by the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF) · Ministry of Finance

How much debt does Egypt have?

Egypt's budget sector debt is targeted at 78.1% of GDP for June 2027, down from an estimated 81.2% in June 2026 and a high of 95.7% in June 2023, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026. The government aims to bring it to 70% of GDP by June 2030.

The CBE notes that the average time to maturity of budget sector debt fell to 2.9 years in 2024/25 from 3.5 years, which means a lot of debt must be refinanced each year, and that government guarantees stand at around 25% of GDP. Guarantees are not counted in the budget sector debt figure. The government also aims to reduce external debt by US$1 to 2 billion a year.

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

How much does Egypt spend on interest?

Interest payments are expected to take 46.7% of Egypt's budget spending in fiscal year 2026/27, down from an estimated 50.2% in 2025/26, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026. It would be the first fall in that share since June 2022. Interest is targeted at around 10.0% of GDP, compared with 10.8% in 2025/26.

Interest is the largest single item of spending, larger than wages, subsidies or investment, and is expected to rise by around 5% in pound terms. High domestic interest rates, with the CBE's deposit rate at 19%, and short debt maturities keep the bill high.

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

How much tax does Egypt collect?

Egypt's tax revenue is expected to reach 14.4% of GDP in fiscal year 2026/27, up from an estimated 13.1% in 2025/26, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026. Total revenue is budgeted to grow 20.8%, driven entirely by taxes, mostly income taxes.

The government plans to raise revenue by widening the tax base, improving voluntary compliance and cutting exemptions. Non-tax revenue is expected to fall by around 8% because 2025/26 included proceeds of about EGP 167 billion from the Alam El-Roum investment deal. Tax revenue is projected at 15.1% of GDP by 2029/30, below the emerging-market average of around 17.5%.

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

What does Egypt's government spend money on?

Egypt's budget spending is planned at 21.1% of GDP in fiscal year 2026/27, according to the Central Bank of Egypt Monetary Policy Report for Q2 2026. Total spending is set to rise 13.2%: employee pay by almost 21%, public investment by about 27%, and subsidies, grants and social benefits by 12%.

Higher subsidies and social benefits mainly reflect provisions against fiscal risks and support for the universal health insurance programme. Interest payments remain the largest item, at 46.7% of spending. The Ministry of Finance publishes the full budget and monthly fiscal performance on its website, which could only be viewed with a full browser on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: CBE: Monetary Policy Report Q2 2026 (PDF) · Ministry of Finance

What is Egypt's government debt?

86.8% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in Egypt for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 66.8% of GDP (2008) to 98.3% of GDP (2005). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 52.5% of GDP; Egypt is 4th highest of 20. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 35th highest.

What is Egypt's budget deficit?

According to the IMF, general government net lending or borrowing in Egypt was -6.6% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. The peak was -4.9% of GDP in 2007 and the low -12.3% of GDP in 2013. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was -5.2% of GDP, and Egypt placed 18th highest of 21. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 166th highest.

How much does Egypt's government take in?

In 2025, general government revenue in Egypt was 16.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.8% of GDP (2024) to 27.2% of GDP (2006). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 26.3% of GDP, and Egypt placed 17th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 157th of 187.

How much does Egypt's government spend?

According to the IMF, general government spending in Egypt was 22.7% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 28.7% of GDP; Egypt is 14th highest of 21. Worldwide: 130th of 186.

What is tax revenue in Egypt?

12.5% of GDP: that is central government tax revenue in Egypt for 2015, according to the IMF. The peak was 15.8% of GDP in 2006 and the low 12.2% of GDP in 2014. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 12.5% of GDP; Egypt is 6th highest of 11. Of 145 countries with 2015 data, 103rd highest.

How much does Egypt spend on its military?

SIPRI puts military spending in Egypt at 0.6% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 14th highest of 15 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.1% of GDP. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 131st highest.