The Economic Environment in Egypt

Egypt ranks 152nd in the world in terms of economic freedom in 2022 with a score of 49.1. Egypt is placed 11th out of 14 Middle East and North African nations rather than against other African nations (2022).

  • In 2017, the Gini index coefficient was 31.5%, placing it 143rd internationally.
  • There is a high rate of inflation. In August 2022, the most recent annual inflation rate was recorded; it was 13.6% before. The current rate is 14.6%.
  • By 2021, the GDP will be $404.14 billion, ranking third in Africa with a 3.3% annual growth rate (31st in Africa). Real GDP (PPP) was $1,223.04 billion in 2020, placing the country first in Africa and 20th overall.
  • Egypt’s GDP per capita is $3,876.40, ranking 11th in Africa, with an annual growth rate of 1.4% (2021). Its GDP per capita, PPP was $12,121.16, ranking 8th in Africa and above the continent’s average of $5,774.58.
  • The cost of starting a business in Egypt is rated as average in Africa. That is, 20.3% of income per capita, ranking 49th out of 186 countries and 27th in Africa (2020).

Export and Import Commodities

  • The main commodities for export in 2019 are crude oil, refined oil, gold, natural gas, and fertilizers.
  • 2019’s top imports include refined petroleum, wheat, crude petroleum, automobiles, and packaged medications.
  • Industrial commodities include textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, and light manufacturing. At 3.5% as of 2017, the industrial production growth rate ranked 84th internationally.

Credit rating of Egypt

  • B+ grade is given by Fitch (2019).
  • B2 is given by Moody’s rating (2022).
  • B rating from S&P (2019).
  • As of September 2022, the interest rate is 11.25%, unchanged from the prior year.
  • As of March 2022, bank credit to private non-financial enterprises was 1270.99 billion Egyptian pounds, up 25.41% from the previous 12 months.
  • As of December 2021, both the corporate and personal income tax rates were 22.5 percent.
  • Egypt has the lowest cost of living in both Africa and the world, with a score of 27.37. (2017)
  • Egypt’s Investment Freedom Index score is 65, higher than the average for Africa of 51, placing it seventh in Africa and 68th overall (2022).
  • Egypt’s Business Freedom Index is 54, higher than the average for Africa of 46, placing it 14th in Africa and 122nd worldwide as of 2022.
  • Egypt has the lowest cost of living in both Africa and the world, with a score of 27.37. (2017).

Over the past year, the USD has gained value over the local currency by 23.36%. The most recent published exchange rate (September 2022) is 19.3802 Egyptian pounds to one US dollar.

Negative impacts on Economy

  • The unemployment rate is lower than the 10.41% average for Africa. 9.33% is the most current recorded unemployment rate for 2021, ranking 56th overall and 22nd in Africa.
  • Egypt has the 12th-highest female unemployment rate in Africa (24.28% in 2021), and the 30th-highest male unemployment rate (5.91% in 2021).
  • Only 27.83 million people are employed as of 2Q22, a 3.09% rise over the previous year, with a 41.26% labor force participation rate (ranked 49 in Africa and 173 overall).
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