ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2025/8/V.1/EGY
Country: Arab Republic of Egypt
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Inclusive development, Population dynamics & migration
Initiatives: Addressing multidimensional poverty, Monitoring money-metric poverty, Older persons, Reducing inequalities
SDGs: Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Administrative reform, Egypt, Health insurance, Housing, Informal sector, Labour market, Macroeconomics, Pensions, Population, Poverty, Private sector, Public sector, Recommendations, Social security, Social security legislation, Subsidies, Technical cooperation
Social protection landscape and perspectives: Comprehensive national review of the system and reforms of Egypt, Edition 1
December 2025
This national social protection country profile for Egypt presents a comprehensive overview of the current system and its main programmes, identifies key reform needs, and outlines policy options to improve coverage, efficiency and sustainability.
Over the past decade, Egypt has undertaken significant reforms, including phasing out general subsidies and introducing the Takaful and Karama cash transfer programme for vulnerable groups. Efforts to support the economic empowerment of poor households have included asset transfers, micro-loans and related schemes. Social and health insurance coverage has also expanded. Moving forward, Egypt has the opportunity to address remaining gaps and strengthen coordination, coverage, adequacy and inclusivity, to build a more resilient social protection system that supports the most vulnerable and aligns with national development goals.
Related content
Inclusive development, Population dynamics & migration
This national social protection country profile for Egypt presents a comprehensive overview of the current system and its main programmes, identifies key reform needs, and outlines policy options to improve coverage, efficiency and sustainability.
Over the past decade, Egypt has undertaken significant reforms, including phasing out general subsidies and introducing the Takaful and Karama cash transfer programme for vulnerable groups. Efforts to support the economic empowerment of poor households have included asset transfers, micro-loans and related schemes. Social and health insurance coverage has also expanded. Moving forward, Egypt has the opportunity to address remaining gaps and strengthen coordination, coverage, adequacy and inclusivity, to build a more resilient social protection system that supports the most vulnerable and aligns with national development goals.
