Country profile
Egypt
A large market between Europe, Africa and the Gulf, exporting gold, fuels, electrical goods, fresh produce and plastics; home of the Suez Canal.
Updated 11 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Cairo
- Population
- 110.1 million (2026)
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP)
- GDP, 2026
- US$443 billion
- Exports, 2025
- US$51.4 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 53.3 EGP (11 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
5.1%Real GDP growth, 2026
4.7%Real GDP growth, 2027
13.3%Inflation, 2026
84% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
-4.4% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Compare Egypt with other countries →
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- United Arab Emirates (13.7%)
- Italy (7.9%)
- Turkey (6.4%)
- Saudi Arabia (5.8%)
- United States (5.3%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Gold and precious metals (14.9%)
- Mineral fuels (9.8%)
- Electrical machinery and equipment (6.7%)
- Fruits and nuts, mainly citrus (5.8%)
- Plastics (5%)
Main trade agreements
- EU–Egypt Association Agreement
- Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and Agadir Agreement
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) with duty-free access to the US
Trade policy to watch
- Suez Canal: attacks on Red Sea shipping since late 2023 have diverted many ships around Africa and cut canal traffic.
- Currency: Egypt let the pound float in March 2024, after which it lost much of its value.
- Import registration: shipments to Egypt need Advance Cargo Information (ACI) registration before loading.
Energy
Natural gas produces most of Egypt's electricity. Falling domestic gas output has made Egypt an LNG importer again, and summer power cuts have returned in some years. Solar and wind are growing.
What it means for your supply chain
- Watch Red Sea and Suez Canal conditions for Asia–Europe shipments.
- Egypt is a source of clothing (including QIZ goods for the US), fresh produce, fertilisers and plastics.
- Agree payment terms carefully because of currency swings.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections; updated automatically).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- Trading Economics, based on UN Comtrade data: export markets and main exports; shares calculated from the listed values.
- Rates by Exchange Rate API (open access rates; updated daily).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.