The “Youm7” reported data from the Labor Force Survey, indicating an increase in the labor force to 33.614 million individuals, an increase of 167,000 people from the first quarter of the same year. This increase was due to the rise in the number of employed individuals by about 223,000, while the number of unemployed decreased by 57,000. The unemployment rate among males slightly decreased to 3.5%, while it was 15.8% among females. Geographically, the rate decreased in urban areas to 9.7%, and in rural areas to 3.3%.
The data showed that 78.2% of the total unemployed are holders of intermediate qualifications and above, while university graduates constituted 44.8% of the total unemployed. The number of employed individuals rose to 31.559 million, an increase of 0.7% from the previous quarter. Wage earners constituted the largest percentage, approximately 68.1% of the total employed, while self-employed individuals made up 23.2%.
The agriculture and fishing sector recorded the highest employment rate at about 21.3% of the total employed, followed by wholesale and retail trade at 16%, and then manufacturing industries at 13.1%. The economic activity participation rate was 45.5% of the total population (15 years and older), with a clear gender disparity; males recorded 69.8% compared to 19.8% for females. The age group 20-25 years recorded the highest participation rate at 62.4%.
This improvement in labor market indicators comes amid developments in the Egyptian economy during the first half of 2025, despite global and regional challenges.
