The population of Egypt has increased 7 times in the 20th century, which, in general, is not so a big increase. However, in 1900, Egypt was already a country with a large population (at that time the population was about 10 million), and today's population of Egypt (2016) of 90 million is very high, considering how much of Egypt is an arid desert. . Therefore, Egypt has long been overpopulated - probably the worst overpopulation rate in Egypt of all countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
After decades of significant but steady growth, to date, population growth in Egypt has declined somewhat. By 2009, the rate was 1.6% per year, and there were 2.7 children per woman in Egypt. The median age is 24, and there are about 4 births per death. Egypt's population is projected to be between 110 and 120 million by 2050.
Population dynamics in Egypt
| Year | population | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1882 | 6 712 000 | - |
| 1897 | 9 669 000 | +2,46% |
| 1907 | 11 190 000 | +1,47% |
| 1917 | 12 718 000 | +1,29% |
| 1927 | 14 178 000 | +1,09% |
| 1937 | 15 921 000 | +1,17% |
| 1947 | 18 967 000 | +1,77% |
| 1960 | 26 085 000 | +2,48% |
| 1966 | 30 076 000 | +2,40% |
| 1976 | 36 626 000 | +1,99% |
| 1986 | 48 254 000 | +2,80% |
| 1996 | 59 312 000 | +2,08% |
| 2006 | 72 798 000 | +2,07% |
| 2013 | 84 314 000 | +2,12% |
Peoples of Egypt
| Major ethnic groups | |
|---|---|
| Arabs | 97% |
| Egyptians | 97% |
| Bedouins | 2% |
| houses | 1,6% |
| Berbers | 0,4% |
| Nubians | 0,4% |
| Europeans | 0,3% |
| Beja | 0,1% |
| Armenians | Less than 0.1% |
With the exception of small pure ethnic groups of Berbers and Nubians in the south of the country, the population of Egypt is represented by a mixture of predominantly Egyptians and Arabs, with an admixture of Nubian and Berber roots.
Since Egypt has always been multiethnic, the mixing of races has been going on in the country for at least 6,000 years. For this reason, it is difficult to specify the original Egyptian nation. But it can be said for sure that the amount of Arab blood in the peoples of Egypt is rather small compared to the Egyptian - although the Arabs had a strong influence on the Egyptians, bringing a change in language and cultural identification. Today's Egyptians consider themselves Arabs, as well as direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians. Both opinions are correct.
Egyptians belonging to the Coptic Church are also ethnically somewhat different from other Egyptians. The Copts are generally considered the group least intermingled with the invading peoples, at least since the Muslim era beginning in the 7th century.
Languages of Egypt
The most populated regions of Egypt are completely dominated by Arabic. There are exceptions, especially in the far south and southeast, where languages closer to Sudanese are spoken.
The main foreign language of Egypt is English, which is very important both in higher education and in international business.
Arabic
There are at least 4 dialects Arabic, which can be considered native to Egypt. The largest dialect is known simply as Egyptian, although it is often referred to as the Cairo dialect, which has become widespread in the Arab world thanks to the many films and TV series in which it is used.
The Saidic dialect is used in the region starting south of Cairo and extending along the banks of the Nile all the way to Sudan. In the south, a greater diversity of languages begins, and Nubian and Sudanese Arabic are also used here.
The two types of Bedouin Arabic refer either to the Sinai, where Syro-Palestinian Arabic is spoken, or to the western desert, where Western Bedouin predominates.
Nubian
Most of the Nubians in the south have been Arabized and many of them now consider themselves to be Arabs even though they are not ethnically so. A large minority of them, however, still speak Nubian, either Nobina or Kenusi Dongola.
Nubian is predominantly spoken in segregated communities in Aswan and in the Kom Ombo region.
Domari language
Domari in Egypt is spoken by only a minority of the houses, which contrasts with other countries in the Middle East and North Africa where the houses have generally retained their language. This may be an indicator of better assimilation compared to neighboring countries.
Domari remains a living language in the Dakahlia Governorate in the Nile Delta, as well as in Luxor.
Beja language
East of the Nile, and along the coast of the Red Sea, the Beja peoples maintain their own language, which is also called the Beja. Also, to the east of the Nile, in the Kharga oasis, there is a Beja-speaking community - this community moved to the territory of this oasis due to the flooding of the Aswan hydroelectric complex. The regions where Beja is spoken extend far into Sudan, where it is one of the major languages.
Berber language
Berbers to the west (in the Siwa oasis, west of the Nile, along the coast west of Alexandria) predominantly speak Arabic, but Siwa also has a strong Berber language.
Other languages
Greek remains a living language in Alexandria and Cairo, among Egyptians with Greek roots. Armenians migrated to Egypt from Ottoman Empire mainly due to the Armenian genocide, and formed a strong community in Cairo.
Religion of Egypt
| Muslims | 90% |
| Sunnis | 90% |
| Christians | 10% |
| Copts | 9% |
| Orthodox (Greek Church) | 0,5% |
| Catholic Copts | 0,3% |
| Protestants | 0,3% |
| Orthodox (Armenian Church) | Less than 0.1% |
| Melkites | Less than 0.1% |
| Catholics (Roman Church) | Less than 0.1% |
| Maronites | Less than 0.1% |
| Catholics (Syrian Church) | Less than 0.1% |
| Orthodox (Syrian Church) | Less than 0.1% |
| Catholics (Armenian Church) | Less than 0.1% |
| Chaldeans | Less than 0.1% |
| Baha'i | Less than 0.1% |
| Jews | Less than 0.1% |
Egypt's population is predominantly Muslim, with a significant Christian minority. In 1980, Islam was defined as the state religion, until that time Egypt was a secular state.
At the moment, there are no adherents of the ancient Egyptian religion, but different concepts and rituals derived from this religion can be found in modern Christianity and Islam. Some modern practices are directly borrowed from ancient cults.
Muslims
Almost all Egyptian Muslims are Sunnis. Sufism has traditionally been a significant force in Egypt, but in recent decades it has become less popular.
Folk Islam and institutionalized Islam are in opposition to each other. Islam in villages and villages is syncretic and tolerant, while the Islam practiced by most theologians has the same structure as Islamism - the religious faith is purged of extra-Islamic ideas, practices are simplified, and values and rules are promoted in such a way that as if they could explain all aspects of life. Islam in Egypt is very strict - Egypt is one of the centers of Islamism, and extreme views of other faiths and the Western world are common among a significant but never measured part of the population of Egypt.
Christians
The size of the Christian community is estimated only approximately, and the figures vary from 3% to 10%, and even up to 20%. Christians in Egypt usually overestimate this figure, while the state underestimates it. Uncertainties in the size of the Christian community will determine Egypt's vexatious majority-versus-minority policy for centuries. Claiming that the size of the Christian community in the country is only 3%, Muslims can receive most of the government funding, and have more influence in politics, culture, and education.
The vast majority of Christians in Egypt belong to the Coptic Church - the original church of Egypt, with its priest, located in Alexandria. The Coptic Church has a descendant - the Coptic Catholic Church. There is no particular disagreement between these two churches.
The rest of the Christians in Egypt are concentrated mainly in the northern regions of the country - the result of centuries of international trade and other forms of migration. Greek Orthodox Christians largely reflect the long presence of Greeks in Egypt; the Melkites are of Lebanese origin; followers of Armenian Orthodoxy are descendants of refugees from Turkey (due to the Armenian genocide).
Jews
The remaining Jewish community today numbers only a few hundred people. They attend at least 3 synagogues - two in Cairo and one in Alexandria. In the mid-1940s, the Jewish community numbered about 65,000 people. Many went to Israel, but many were expelled in 1956 during the Suez Crisis, simply because they were Jews.
The population of Egypt in terms of numbers is in 15th place in the world ranking. Among the African and Arab states, the Egyptians are in the lead. To make the trip to Egypt more interesting, we suggest that you study the structure of the population in advance, as well as get acquainted with the customs and customs of the inhabitants.
Population
According to demographers, by the end of 2015, the population of Egypt reached 92.5 million inhabitants. Every year the number of Egyptians increases. So, back in 2003, 72 million people lived in the country. Such a consistently high growth is ensured by a high birth rate. Over the past year, about 2.585 million people were born, and only 564 thousand Egyptians died. The population density is 92 people/km².
Due to the large number of children, the population of the country is very young, which is in line with the model of developing countries. With a high birth rate, life expectancy is not very high, and adults rely on support younger generation in old age. The average age in the country is 25 years, the proportion of children under 15 is 32%. Average life expectancy - 72 years:
- 70 years for men;
- 75 years for women.
The issue of mortality due to AIDS and various infections is quite acute. The Nile has long been transformed from a waterway into a hotbed of disease. Tourists, and even local residents, are not recommended to swim and even wet their feet in it, as well as drink water from the tap. getting clean drinking water to date has become the most profitable business.
Migration rate for last year amounted to -45 thousand people. That is, the number of those who permanently left the country exceeded the number of new arrivals. Most often, Egyptians emigrate to Arab countries, Europe and the United States.
Ethnic composition
The composition of the population of Egypt is quite homogeneous. Over 95% of the inhabitants are native Egyptians. The rest of the citizens, when moving to Egypt, prefer to assimilate with the locals, rather than form separate communities.
Of the ethnic minorities, the following can be distinguished:
- Turks;
- Greeks;
- Bedouin;
- Berbers;
- Nubians.
The main language for the inhabitants is Arabic, but a large flow of tourists stimulates the Egyptians to study foreign languages. This is especially common among young people. It is not difficult to meet a person who speaks English, French or Berber.
Geographic distribution
Egypt is populated very heterogeneously. Almost all residents are concentrated in 7% of the country, along the banks of the Nile. Such major cities, as:
- Cairo;
- Alexandria;
- Giza;
- Shubra El-Khemiya;
- Port Said.
In them, the maximum population density reaches 20 thousand people / km², while in the desert it is only 23 people / km². There is also a decreasing trend rural population, which intensively migrates to cities.
Religion and customs
More than 94% of the inhabitants are Sunni Muslims. Among the remaining 6% of citizens, Christianity (Copts) prevails. This is one of the oldest Christian branches. The complexity of counting Copts is hampered by the reluctance to register and indicate religion in documents.
The Egyptians, living in accordance with Muslim traditions, strictly observe the rites. They must pray 5 times a day, do not consume pork and alcohol. In Ramadan, before sunset, they do not take any water or food. At the same time, the inhabitants of Egypt understand important role tourism in the economic development of the state, therefore, they are tolerant of the desires of tourists. The consumption of food during Ramadan during the day, as well as pork and alcohol, is not condemned by visitors.
There are many superstitions among the population. Residents wear numerous talismans and charms from the evil eye and dark forces. To protect children, they are dressed up in old things, and in conversation, instead of real names, unattractive nicknames are used. Tourists should not praise or compliment babies, or make fun of the superstitious rites of the Egyptians.
Level of education and employment
Literacy of the older generation is at an average level of 75%, and the figure varies greatly by gender. 83% of men and only 67% of women can read and write. Literacy of young people up to 24 years is equal to:
- 92.4% in men;
- 92% in women.
The Egyptians have almost no opportunity to receive higher education. All learning comes down to the primitive ability to read and write. Only primary six-year education is obligatory. AT high school Fewer children are already enrolling, and only a few receive further paid education. Specialties are mainly mastered by apprentices already in production.
The big problem is employment. Due to the lack of fertile land, rural residents flock to cities, where they also cannot find work. The average official unemployment rate in the country is at 13.5%, among young people it is even higher. The main income items are industry (oil and gas, chemical, food), tourism and agriculture.
The total population of Egypt is 80 million people, of which about 98% are Egyptians. A small part of the inhabitants are nomadic tribes: Bedouins, Nubians and others. Almost 80% of the country's population are peasants, or fellahs. More than 90% of them are Muslims, 10% of the inhabitants preach the Orthodox religion.
The population density in Egypt is 75 people per square kilometer, but due to the geographical features of the country, it is unevenly distributed. Up to 98% live in the Nile Valley, where the population density is 1,700 people per square kilometer, in the rest, the desert part of the territory, the density does not exceed 1 person per square kilometer.
The population of Egypt annually increases by 1.3 million, the increase is provided mainly by large cities, since no more than 45% of the population lives in rural areas. Currently, there are 3 cities in Egypt where the population is above 1 million people - these are Alexandria, Cairo and El Giza. The official language in Egypt is Arabic, and English is also used.
About half of all Egyptians are under the age of 20. This is due to the high rate of natural growth and relatively short life expectancy. The number of immigrants and emigrants in the ARE is small and does not have a significant impact on the total population of the country.
Population size:
80,471,869 (July 2010 est.)
Gender and age structure of the population:
0-14 years:
33% (Men 13,308,407/Women 12,711,900)
15-64 years old:
62.7% (Men 25,138,546/Women 24,342,230)
65 years and older:
4.3% (Men 1,546,774/Women 1,818,778) (2010 est.)
Average (median) age:
General:
24 years old
Men:
23.8 years
Women:
24.3 years (2010 est.)
Population Growth/Decrease Rate:
1.997% (2010 estimate)
Indicator (coefficient) of fertility:
25.02 population births/1,000 (2010 est.)
Mortality rate (rate):
4.85 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population:
43% of the total population (2008)
Indicator (coefficient) of urbanization:
1.8 Annual rate % change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
At the time of birth:
1.05 men(s)/women
By age 15:
1.05 men(s)/women
15-64 years old:
1.03 men(s)/women
65 years and older:
0.83 men(s)/women
AT general population:
1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Indicator (coefficient) of infant mortality: 26.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Men:
27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Women:
24.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (average life expectancy):
In the general population:
72.4 years old
Men:
69.82 years old
Women:
75.1 years (2010 est.)
General indicator(coefficient) of fertility (total offspring of a woman during the childbearing period):
3.01 Birth/Female child (2010 est.)
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
Number of people living with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS:
9,200 (2007 estimate)
Number of people who died from HIV/AIDS:
less than 500 (2007 estimate)
Nationality:
Egyptian (e)
Official language:
Arab
Ethnic groups:
Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)
Religious composition of the population: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
The linguistic composition of the population: Arabic, among the educated class - English and French
Literacy rate of the population:
Definition:
Person aged 15 and can read and write
In the general population:
71.4 %
Men:
83 %
Women:
59.4% (2005 est.)
Expected length of study (from elementary to higher education): 11 years (2004)
Men:
-
Women:
-
Government spending on education:
3.8% of GDP (2008)
There are not many countries in the world whose ethnic composition would be as homogeneous as in Egypt. About 98% of the population are Arabs, and only about 2% are Nubians, as well as Berbers, Armenians, Greeks and representatives of other nations.
The Egyptians are one of the Arab peoples of the Caucasoid race, formed on the basis of the mixing of the ancient Egyptians with Arabs, Berbers, Turks, Nubians and other peoples of North Africa and Western Asia. In appearance, the Egyptians are most often people of medium height, black-haired, dark-eyed, with wide faces, a very protruding chin and swarthy skin color. Residents of the southern part of the country are distinguished, as a rule, by higher growth and dark skin color.
The Egyptians speak the Egyptian dialect of Arabic. State documents are published in literary Arabic, books, newspapers and magazines are published. English and French became widespread in the cities. Many people from aristocratic families were educated in Western European and American universities. In Egyptian educational institutions, especially higher ones, there are many foreign teachers among the teachers who lecture in English and French. A significant part of the people employed in the service and trade sectors, unable to read and write Arabic, speak English and French. In the Siwa oasis and some other oases, the Berber language is spoken.
More than 90% of the population are adherents of Sunni Islam, which is the state religion. Muslim clergy enjoy certain influence. The highest government positions are occupied exclusively by Muslims.
Copts-Christians of the monophysical sense, of which there are over 4 million people, constitute a special group of the population. They strictly adhere to the canons of the Coptic Church and rarely go for mixed marriages. Adherents of the Coptic religion are often found in the largest cities - Cairo and Alexandria, and in the southern regions there are entire villages inhabited by Copts. A particularly significant concentration of Copts is characteristic of the governorships of As-yut, Mina, Sokhag.
The population of Egypt is growing rapidly. In 1882, when the first census was conducted in the country, it numbered only 6.8 million, and in 1981 it was over 43 million (that is, it increased by more than 6 times). The birth rate in the 80s was 38 per thousand people on average, and the death rate was 15. Thus, the natural increase was 2.3% per year. Significant population growth is due to high birth rates. Over the past ten years, the country's population has increased by an average of 1 million people per year.
The use of cheap child labor in the peasant economy promotes early marriages and large families. They are especially characteristic of countryside. Children bring income to the fellahah family, and the cost of maintaining a child is negligible. From the age of five or six, children already take part in agricultural work. Traditions also contribute to the rapid growth of the population: a large family is the pride of the Muslim population, and bachelorhood is condemned. In addition, having many children raises the prestige of a married woman in society. However, polygamy is not characteristic of Egypt, although the Muslim religion allows polygamy. Among the Coptic population, as a rule, the birth rate is much lower.
Along with a high birth rate, there is a high mortality rate, especially among children. Of every seven children in a family, one usually dies at birth or at an early age. The spread of various diseases in the absence of the necessary medical care largely determines the increase in mortality. In rural areas, diseases such as bilharziasis, hookworm, malaria, and trachoma are widespread. Due to the lack of good-quality water in many rural settlements, peasants are forced to drink contaminated water from the Nile or from irrigation reservoirs, which leads to various stomach diseases (dysentery, typhoid fever, etc.).
The average life expectancy of the Egyptians, according to the mid-70s, was about 50 years. More than 50% of the population are under 20 years of age.
The predominant part of men of working age is employed in various spheres of social production or is interrupted by odd jobs. Women and children living in the countryside are widely involved in agricultural work. In the cities, only a small proportion of women participate in social production, but child labor is widely used in factories and in the service sector.
Over 98% of the population is concentrated in the delta and valley of the Nile - an area of less than 4% of the country. Therefore, the population density in the economically developed territories exceeds 800 people per 1 sq. km. km and is constantly increasing: in 1882 it was 196 people per 1 sq. km. km, in 1907 - 325, in 1937 - 466, in 1975 - 845 people. No other country in the world (with the exception of some extremely small states, such as Singapore, Kuwait) has such a high population density in the economically developed territories and does not have such high rates of its growth.
The highest population density is about 20 thousand people per 1 sq. km. km - in the capital Cairo, which, together with the surrounding suburbs, makes up the Governorate of Cairo. Alexandria Governorate, which ranks second in this indicator, has a population density of over 6,000 people.
External migrations of the population are spreading only in last years, intelligentsia and skilled workers emigrate. There is no significant influx of population from abroad. However, internal migration is very developed. Huge masses of people are moving from the southern (upper) regions of Egypt to the more economically developing northern (lower) regions, as well as from villages to cities.
Large cities are growing at a particularly fast pace. At present, about 45% of the population of Egypt is concentrated in cities, with more than 30% in large cities with a population of over 100 thousand. The population of large cities is growing rapidly due to the ruined peasants moving there.
Most of the Egyptians are peasant farmers, or fellahs. The village and the field - this is the little world in which the fellah spends his whole life. Lagoon crafts are not widespread in Egypt. Fellahs rarely leave their native village, usually limiting themselves to visiting the markets of nearby cities.
A special group of the population are Bedouin pastoralists (nomads), of whom there are approximately 30 thousand. Most of them roam the Sinai Peninsula and the Libyan Desert, breeding camels, sheep and goats. Some of the Bedouin tribes that roam the Libyan desert are engaged in agriculture and transhumance.
National minorities, represented mainly by Greeks, Armenians, Bejas, Italians, are concentrated in the cities. Greeks live in Alexandria and Cairo, where they are mainly engaged in trade, serve in cafes and hotels. (Some of them live in villages and are engaged in trade and usury.) Armenians are engaged in trade, as well as handicrafts. Italians are dominated by small entrepreneurs in the service sector (owners of small coffee shops, shops, hotels), as well as skilled industrial and construction workers.
The lifestyle of urban residents is not much different from the lifestyle of the European urban population. However, the poorest townspeople dress much like the fellahs, and their daily diet differs little from the food that the fellahs consume. The predominant part of the Egyptians living in cities are small artisans and peddlers who widely use the labor of their family members. In large cities, the number of factory workers, employees, and students is growing.