Poverty in Egypt
(Compiled by the Social Research Center, The American University in Cairo)

In general, poverty incidence in Egypt under the lower poverty line has increased from 17.1% in 1981/82 to 24.2% in 1990/91 then decreased to 22.9% in 1995/96 and finally to 16.7% in 99/2000, which means that 10.7 million individuals are unable to meet their basic food and non-food needs, compared to 7.3 million in 1981/82, at an increasing rate of 2.15% annually.
The number decreased over the period (1990/91-99/2000) at –2% annually. Using the upper poverty line, the number increases to 26.9 million compared to 12.9 million in 81/82, 20.7 million in 90/91, at an annual increasing rate 4.2% over the period (81/82-99/2000) and 3% during (90/91-99/2000), which is higher than the population growth rates during those two periods: 2.25% and 2.1% annually.

Poverty incidence and the poor (81/82-99/2000)

Year	P_o	The poor “millions”
Lower Poverty Line
81/82	17.1	7.3
90/91	24.2	12.8
95/96	22.9	13.5
99/2000	16.7	10.7
Upper Poverty Line
81/82	30.2	12.9
90/91	39.1	20.7
95/96	48.2	28.3
99/2000	42	26.9
Annual Increase –Below Lower Poverty Line%
(81/82-99/2000)		2.15
(90/91-99/2000)		-2
Annual Increase –Below Upper Poverty Line%
(81/82-99/2000)		4.2
(90/91-99/2000)		3

World Bank (2002).”Arab Republic of Egypt . Poverty Reduction in Egypt : Diagnosis and Strategies.”. Washington D.C.: World Bank

Using the international poverty line ($2/day), poverty incidence index is 17.9% (1999/2000), which is significantly higher than some low middle income economies in the same region as Jordan. Besides, almost one third of the population suffers from human poverty; as people not expected to live till the age of 40 years are estimated at 44.7% and children under 5 with low weight are estimated at 12%. This indicates the prevalence of implications of poverty in Egypt.

Poverty Incidence in Egypt- International Poverty Line $2/day

Country	P_o
Egypt	17.9
Jordan*	7.4
Turkey	18
Algeria*	15.1
Morocco*	7.5

World Bank.(2002).”Arab Republic of Egypt . Poverty Reduction in Egypt : Diagnosis and Strategies.”. Washington D.C.: World Bank

Human Poverty in Egypt

Human Poverty Index	31.2
Rank	48/88
People not expected to live to age 40-%	44.7
Children under 5 with low weight%	12
People without access to potable water%	5

UNDP (2002). Human Development Report 2002. New York: UNDP.

More on Poverty in Egypt :

Poverty Reduction in Egypt - Diagnosis and Strategy. World Bank Report (2002)

UNDP Best Practice for Women Empowerment: South Asia Poverty Alleviation Programme (SAPAP)

The gender dimensions of poverty in Egypt. Is poverty among women linked to their situation in the labour market, and their education levels?

Economic Reform and Poverty: A Gender Analysis Report prepared for the Gender Equality Unit

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) by Sally Baden October 1997

The Gender Dimensions of Poverty in Egypt