Egypt’s Population Size Has Doubled Over the Past 20 Years

The population of Egypt has become the 14th largest in the world, according to statistics revealed during the Egyptian Cabinet’s Intellectual Forum, which seeks to examine demographic changes, and confront their social challenges and economic impact. Between 2012 and May 2023, Egypt’s population surged by 25.3%, from 83.7 million people to 104.9 million people. Furthermore, Egypt’s population doubled over the past two decades, having previously only had 74 million people according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics report from 2002.

The Cabinet’s statistics further revealed that over half of the projected population growth until 2050 will be concentrated in only eight countries: Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania. The global increase in population sizes and that the world's population has increased more than threefold compared to the mid-20th century.

The session also highlighted nationwide efforts promoting the use of family planning methods, delaying the age of marriage, increasing female workforce participation, reducing dropouts from education and utilizing social protection programs. The 2021 Family Health Survey for Egyptian households indicated that only 18% of males endorse preconception family planning options.