Egypt’s Youth Population Reaches 21.5 Million

Egypt has 21.5 million people aged between 18 and 29, representing 19.8% of the population, according to figures released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics to mark International Youth Day. Of this group, 51.9% are male and 48.1% are female.

Under the United Nations definition of youth as those aged 15 to 24, Egypt has around 19.1 million young people, equivalent to 17.6% of the population.

Around 3.9 million students are currently enrolled in universities and institutes, with males accounting for 50.3% and females 49.7%. Government and Al Azhar universities account for approximately 2.3 million students, while 532,100 are enrolled at private, national and technological universities.

A further 889,000 students attend academies and higher institutes, while 207,700 are enrolled at post-secondary technical institutes. Theoretical colleges account for 71.1% of enrolment, compared with 28.9% in practical colleges.

Egypt recorded approximately 743,000 higher education graduates in 2024, of whom 53% were female and 47% male. Government universities accounted for 490,000 graduates, or 65.9% of the total, while private, national and technological universities produced 40,800 graduates and academies, higher institutes and technical institutes accounted for 212,200.

Among young people in employment, 64.1% hold permanent jobs, including 61.8% of employed males and 76.9% of employed females. Another 18.1% work under temporary contracts.