North Africa

Population of Cairo (Egypt)

08/04/2025
Population Information

Population of Cairo (Capital City of Egypt) is about 22,9 million people in 2025. It is the 6th most populous city in the world.

Total population

The total population of the Cairo metropolitan area in 2025 is estimated at 22,9 million, according to World Population Review and trends from UN Data. In 2024, the population of Greater Cairo is estimated to be 22,62 million (World Population Review), up from 22,18 million in 2023.

The metropolitan area covers an area of ​​approximately 3.085 km², with population density extremely high at around 7.400 people/km². From 2020 (21,75 million) to 2025, the population will increase by around 1,15 million, at an average growth rate of 1-1,2% per year, mainly due to internal migration from the rural Nile Delta and natural growth. However, the growth rate has decreased compared to the previous period (1950-2000) due to a decline in fertility (estimated at 2,0-2,2 children/woman in 2023) and the New Administrative Capital (NAC) project reducing population pressure on Cairo.

Gender structure

Specific data for Greater Cairo in 2025 has not been released, but based on national trends from CAPMAS 2023:

  • Male: 51,0% (about 11,54 million people out of a total of 22,62 million in 2024).
  • Female: 49,0% (about 11,08 million people).

The sex ratio is 104 males per 100 females, higher than the national average (102 males per 100 females), as Cairo attracts a large number of male migrants from rural areas in the construction, service, and transport sectors. Assuming this ratio remains stable until 2025, with a total population of 22,9 million, males will account for approximately 11,68 million and females 11,22 million. This disparity may decrease in the future due to women’s longer life expectancy (74,0 years compared to 69,7 years for men).

Age structure

The age structure of Egypt in 2024 is:

  • Under 15 years old: 30,0% (about 35,25 million out of 117,50 million).
  • 15-64 years old: 62,0% (about 72,85 million).
  • Over 65 years old: 8,0% (about 9,40 million).

In Greater Cairo, the age structure is slightly younger due to youth migration. Estimated 2025:

  • Under 15 years old: 28,0% (about 6,41 million people).
  • From 15-64 years old: 64,0% (about 14,66 million people).
  • Over 65 years old: 8,0% (about 1,83 million people).

Cairo’s median age is estimated at 25–26 years, lower than the national average (27,3 years), thanks to a large influx of young migrant workers. However, the proportion of people over 65 is increasing due to rising life expectancy (71,8 years for both sexes), signaling an aging trend in the coming decades.

Population of Cairo (Egypt)
Cairo City (Egypt)

Population change

Historical data from UN Data and World Population Review:

  • 1950: 2,49 million people.
  • 1980: 10,02 million people.
  • 2000: 15,62 million people.
  • 2010: 18,47 million people.
  • 2020: 21,75 million people.
  • 2025: 22,9 million people (estimated).

From 1950 to 2000, Greater Cairo's population grew rapidly (an average of 5-6% per year from 1950 to 1980, and 3-4% from 1980 to 2000), driven by urbanization, rural migration, and economic growth (Cairo contributes 20% of Egypt's GDP). From 2010 to 2020, the growth rate slowed to 1,5-2%, and from 2020 to 2025 to 1-1,2%, due to:

  • Birth rate decreased (2,0-2,2 children/woman).
  • Saturated urban space, pushing migration to satellite cities like New Cairo
  • Policy to move administrative agencies to the new capital NAC (50 km from Cairo).

Forecast

Greater Cairo population projections based on national and regional trends:

  • Short term (until 2035): The population could reach 24-25 million, with a growth rate of 0,8-1% per year, thanks to its role as an economic, cultural, and tourist center (Giza Pyramids, museums). However, the new capital NAC could ease population pressure by attracting 1-2 million residents and civil servants.
  • Long term (until 2050): The population could fall below 22 million, due to falling fertility (expected to be below 1,8 children per woman), population ageing (15-20% over 65), and negative net migration (-57.305 people per year per country, partly from Cairo). This is consistent with projections of Egypt’s population peaking at 128 million in 2040 and then declining (UN World Population Prospects 2022).

The Egyptian government is investing in infrastructure (Cairo metro expansion) and the NAC to ease population pressure, but challenges from pollution, traffic, and slums (like Manshiyat Naser) remain severe.

Sources:

Egypt Population 2024

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