Egypt's Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.2% in Fourth Quarter of 2025

Egypt’s unemployment rate declined to 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter, according to data released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. The rate covers the period from October to December.

The labour force expanded slightly to 34.829 million people, up from 34.727 million in the third quarter, a net increase of 102,000. The change reflected a rise of 179,000 in the number of employed persons alongside a reduction of 77,000 in the number of unemployed individuals.

The total number of unemployed people fell to 2.152 million, comprising 1.019 million men and 1.133 million women, marking a 3.6% decrease from 2.229 million in the third quarter.

On an annual basis, however, unemployment was 22,000 higher than in the fourth quarter of 2024. Male unemployment declined to 3.8% from 4.0% in the previous quarter and 3.9% a year earlier. Female unemployment dropped to 14.3%, compared with 15.0% in the third quarter and 16.6% in the same period of 2024.

By residence, urban unemployment stood at 9.7%, down from 10.1% quarter on quarter but above 8.9% a year earlier. Rural unemployment decreased to 3.4%, compared with 3.6% in the third quarter and 4.5% a year earlier.

Total employment rose to 32.677 million, up 0.6% from 32.498 million in the previous quarter. Urban employment reached 13.716 million, while rural employment totalled 18.961 million.

Paid employees receiving cash wages accounted for 22.118 million people, or 67.7% of total employment, down from 68.8% in the third quarter and 71.0% a year earlier. Employers who run businesses and hire others increased to 2.022 million, representing 6.2% of total employment, compared with 5.0% in the previous quarter and 4.1% a year earlier.

Self-employed workers without employees stood at 5.935 million, or 18.1% of total employment, down from 19.2% in the third quarter and 20.6% a year earlier.