Egypt has a population of approximately 112 million people as of 2025, making it the 14th most populous country in the world and the third most populous in Africa. This vast population is concentrated in an extraordinarily small slice of the country's territory, giving Egypt one of the most lopsided settlement patterns on Earth.
How Many People Live in Egypt?
With around 112 million residents, Egypt is home to more people than Germany, France, or the United Kingdom. Among African nations, only Nigeria and Ethiopia have larger populations. Globally, Egypt sits just behind nations like the Philippines and Ethiopia and just ahead of Vietnam in the population rankings.
The striking feature of Egypt's demographics is not the total number but its distribution. Although the country covers more than one million square kilometres, roughly 95% of Egyptians live on just 5% of the land — the narrow ribbon of the Nile Valley and the fan-shaped Nile Delta. The rest of the country is largely uninhabited desert. This means that while Egypt's average density is about 112 people per square kilometre, the actual lived density along the Nile exceeds 1,500 people per square kilometre, comparable to crowded Bangladesh.
Population Growth and Future Trends
Egypt's population is growing at roughly 1.57% per year, which translates into about 1.6 to 1.7 million additional people annually — the equivalent of adding a city the size of Phoenix every twelve months. The country's population doubled between 1990 and 2020, and demographers project it could reach around 160 million by 2050.
The fertility rate hovers around 3.3 children per woman, having ticked slightly upward after decades of gradual decline. The Egyptian government openly regards rapid population growth as one of its greatest national challenges, because every new resident adds pressure to a fixed and shrinking pool of fresh water from the Nile, along with strain on housing, schools, jobs, and food supplies. Egypt already imports a large share of its wheat, and the arrival of upstream dams on the Nile has heightened anxieties about water security for such a large and growing population.
The Largest Cities
Egypt's three largest cities are Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, and together they anchor the country's economic and cultural life.
- Cairo is the capital and Africa's largest city, with roughly 10 million people in the city proper and more than 22 million across the Greater Cairo metropolitan area. Founded over a thousand years ago, it remains the political and media heart of the Arab world.
- Alexandria, the second-largest city with about 5.3 million residents, is Egypt's principal Mediterranean port and a historic centre of learning founded by Alexander the Great.
- Giza, though officially a separate city, blends seamlessly into Greater Cairo and is famous as the home of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.
To relieve the crushing congestion of Cairo, Egypt is constructing a brand-new administrative capital in the desert east of the existing city, intended to house government ministries and millions of residents.
Demographics and Society
Egypt is one of the more ethnically homogeneous large nations, with around 99% of the population identifying as Egyptian Arab. Arabic is the official language, and Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood spoken dialect across the Middle East — a reach owed largely to Egypt's dominant film, television, and music industries throughout the 20th century.
In religion, roughly 90% of Egyptians are Sunni Muslim, while Coptic Christians make up most of the remaining 10%, forming one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world. The population is notably young, with a median age of about 24 years, meaning a large share of Egyptians are children or working-age adults. This youthful profile fuels continued growth and creates intense demand for education and employment opportunities. To learn more about the country behind these numbers, explore our egypt country guide.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 est.): approximately 112 million
- World rank: 14th most populous
- Rank in Africa: 3rd most populous
- Annual growth rate: about 1.57%
- Average density: roughly 112 people per km²
- Capital and largest city: Cairo
- Median age: around 24 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egypt the most populous country in Africa?
No. Egypt is the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria (over 220 million) and Ethiopia (over 120 million). It remains, however, the most populous nation in the Arab world.
Why is Egypt's population so concentrated?
Because almost the entire country is uninhabitable desert, settlement depends on access to fresh water. The Nile River and its delta provide nearly all of Egypt's water and fertile land, so about 95% of the population clusters along this narrow corridor, leaving the surrounding desert virtually empty.
How fast is Egypt's population growing?
Egypt grows by roughly 1.57% each year, adding around 1.6 to 1.7 million people annually. At this pace, the population is projected to climb toward 160 million by 2050.
What is the largest city in Egypt?
Cairo is the largest city, with about 10 million in the city proper and more than 22 million in the Greater Cairo metropolitan area, making it the largest city on the African continent.