Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s population has risen by half a million people in just 126 days, according to figures released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), highlighting the continued pace of demographic growth in the country.
The population clock installed atop the CAPMAS headquarters announced on Saturday that the number of Egyptians living inside the country has reached 108.5 million. Egypt’s population stood at 108 million on August 16, meaning the country added 500,000 residents in slightly more than four months.
CAPMAS data show that Egypt reached the first additional quarter-million mark on October 14, only 59 days after surpassing 108 million, bringing the population to 108.25 million. A further 250,000 people were added over the following 67 days, pushing the total to its current level.
The figures underscore the sustained pressure population growth places on infrastructure, public services, and development planning, as Egypt continues to pursue large-scale economic and social reforms aimed at improving living standards and managing rapid urban expansion.
Cairo remains Egypt’s most populous governorate, with a population of 10.5 million, followed by Giza at 9.8 million. Sharqia ranks third with 8.1 million residents, ahead of Dakahlia with 7.2 million and Beheira with 7.1 million. Minya follows with 6.6 million, while Qalyubia has 6.3 million and Sohag 6 million. Alexandria ranks ninth with 5.7 million residents, closely followed by Gharbia at 5.6 million.
Outside the top ten, Assiut’s population stands at 5.3 million, Monufia at 4.9 million, Fayoum at 4.3 million, and both Kafr El-Sheikh and Qena at 3.8 million each. Beni Suef has a population of 3.7 million.
In Upper Egypt and border governorates, Aswan and Damietta each have about 1.7 million residents, while Ismailia and Luxor stand at 1.5 million each. Suez has a population of approximately 812,300, followed by Port Said with 803,400. Matrouh is home to 593,200 residents, while North Sinai has 495,100 and the Red Sea governorate 417,800.
The least populous governorates remain the New Valley, with 275,400 residents, and South Sinai, with just under 120,000 people.
Officials and experts have repeatedly warned that rapid population growth remains one of Egypt’s most pressing long-term challenges, affecting employment, housing, education, and healthcare. The latest figures once again highlight the urgency of integrating population policies with economic development plans to ensure sustainable growth in the years ahead.
