Economic Overview

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

The Egyptian economy was one of the most resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued growing in fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The positive trend accelerated in 2022 when GDP was estimated to have grown by 6.6% thanks to buoyant household consumption (85% of GDP), increased investment (particularly in infrastructure) and continued support from international funding. For 2023, the IMF forecasts growth at 4.4% of GDP amid an increase in natural gas production and favourable world prices, followed by a further acceleration in 2024 (5.2%).

In recent years, Egypt implemented an economic reform program comprising fiscal consolidation measures, the introduction of a floating exchange rate and large cuts in subsidies. In FY 2021/22, the budget deficit decreased to 6.1% of GDP (from 7.2% one year earlier) thanks to an uptick of 7.9% of GDP in collected revenues (up by EGP 89.2 billion, to EGP 588.8 billion) led by higher energy royalties. Over the forecast horizon, the IMF forecasts a budget deficit increase, to 7.3% of GDP this year and 7.4% in 2024. The public debt-to-GDP ratio should also increase, from 89.2% in 2022 to 85.6% in 2023; although the share in the hands of external lenders only accounts for around one-third of GDP, the public debt’s non-resident and foreign currency portions are expected to increase with international financing (Coface). The inflation rate ballooned in 2022 reaching 8.5%, with the state-run Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics reporting a consumer price inflation rate of 21.9% in December alone. This was due to the global crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, that as of January 2023 had lost half of its value compared to the beginning of the conflict, as the central bank moved to a more flexible exchange rate under the terms of an IMF financial support package. The authorities are committed to pursue a structural reform program that aims at more inclusive and sustainable private sector-led growth, durable job creation and improved external resilience (IMF). The country’s growth path will be guided by the Egypt Vision 2030 strategy, which comprises numerous programs related to transport, entrepreneurship, logistics, environment, etc. (Oxford Business Group). Nevertheless, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered capital outflows, and, in the context of a still-stabilized exchange rate, reduced the central bank’s foreign reserves and banks’ net foreign assets, widening the exchange rate misalignment (IMF).

The unemployment rate stood at 7.4%, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), with female unemployment being around four times higher than for males. It is estimated that three-quarters of all employees are paid as unofficial workers, 29.7% of the population lives below the poverty line and 4.5% live in extreme poverty, a ratio that has been decreasing in recent years (CAPMAS).

Foreign Trade

Trade represents 31% of the country's GDP (World Bank). The Egyptian market has been gradually opening up, with the ratification of various free trade agreements, especially the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The African continental free trade area (AfCFTA) was ratified by Egypt in 2019. Petroleum products (oil and gas) are the most traded items, both for imports and exports. Other important exports are gold, plastics, citrus fruit and nitrogenous fertilisers. Imports are driven by petroleum (as Egypt’s reserves are much less significant than those of other Gulf countries), machinery and mechanical appliances, cereals (the country imports around 40% of its food requirements according to FAO), cars, radio-telephony transmission tools, plastics and medicines (World Trade Organisation and International Trade Center).

In 2021, Egypt's main export partners are Turkey (6.5%), Italy (6.3%), India (5.7%), the U.S. (5.3%), and Saudi Arabia (4.9%); whereas exports came chiefly from China (13.55% of total imports), Saudi Arabia (8.4%), the United States (6.9%), Germany (4.4%) and Turkey (4.2% - data Comtrade).

The Egyptian economy has a structural trade deficit, which was estimated at 9.2% of GDP in 2021 (World Bank). In the same year, the country’s total exports of goods stood at USD 43.6 billion (+63.8% compared to one year earlier, thanks to an increase in the price of hydrocarbons), whereas imports reached USD 83.5 billion (+39.5% year-on-year). As for services, Egypt exported USD 21.9 billion (+52% y-o-y), importing USD 22.9 billion (+34% y-o-y – data WTO). According to figures from the Minister of Trade and Industry, Egypt’s total exports of goods surged 11% year-on-year during the first 11 months of 2022, totalling USD 32.5 billion. In early 2022, the Central Bank of Egypt implemented a new requirement indicating that all imports had to be processed under a bank letter of credit (excluding branches of foreign companies and their subsidiaries, as well as certain foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals). Nevertheless, such a requirement was abolished as of December 2022.

COVID-19 Country Response

Travel restrictions

Regularly updated travel information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related entry regulations, flight bans, test and vaccines requirements is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
To find information about the current travel regulations, including health requirements, it is also advised to consult Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on a daily basis by IATA.

Import & export restrictions

A general overview of trade restrictions which were adopted by different countries during the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage.

Economic recovery plan

For the general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) undertaken by the government of Egypt, please consult the country's dedicated section in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.

Support plan for businesses

For an evaluation of impact of the Covid pandemic on SMEs and an inventory of country responses to foster SME resilience, refer to the OECD's SME Covid-19 Policy Responses document.
You can also consult the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.