Egypt reports unemployment drop to 5.8% at planning conference

The tenth annual international conference of the National Planning Institute, themed ‘Labor Market and Sustainable Development’, convened on September 21, 2026, to discuss the evolving landscape of employment in Egypt and the Arab region. Key topics include the impact of artificial intelligence, the green transition, and demographic shifts on job requirements and necessary skills.

During the conference, the Egyptian Ministry of Planning and Economic Development reported that the national unemployment rate has declined significantly, falling from over 13% in 2013 to 5.8% in the second quarter of 2026. The labor force has grown to approximately 35.6 million people, with 33.6 million currently employed.

Officials emphasized that the focus must now shift from quantitative employment numbers to the quality of jobs and increasing productivity. Strategies include developing integrated skill-building systems, enhancing data accuracy regarding job demand, and fostering partnerships with the private sector through sectoral skills councils to align education with modern industrial needs.