The practice of conducting a periodic census began in Egypt in the second millennium BC, where it was used for tax gathering and to determine fitness for military services.
In 1798, Egypt's population was estimated at 3 million when Napoleon invaded the country.
1848 and 1868 Censuses
After preliminary enumerations in some urban areas and villages the first countrywide census was carried out in 1848. The 1848 census is said to be the first in a non-Western country to include demographic, social, and economic data on practically all individuals including females, children, and slaves. Digitization of the 1848 and 1868 census records is underway based on documents in the National Archives of Egypt.
Modern censuses
1882
1882 — The first census in Egypt had been carried out. The total population was 6.7 million.
1947
According to the 1947 census, Egypt's population had reached 19 million inhabitants.
Province or governorate
Population
Alexandria
928,237
Aswan
285,551
Asyut
1,379,875
Beheira
1,242,478
Beni Suef
613,365
Cairo
2,100,486
Dakahlia
1,366,085
Damietta
124,104
Faiyum
671,885
Frontiers
216,872
Gharbia
2,316,619
Girga
1,288,425
Giza
822,424
Ismailia
132,810
Minya
1,061,417
Monufia
1,168,777
Port Said
178,432
Qalyubia
687,169
Qena
1,106,296
Sharqia
1,290,890
Suez
108,250
Total population
19,090,447
1976
A census in 1976 revealed that the population had risen to 36.6 million.
1986
In 1986, a census indicated that the population of Egypt reached a total of 50.4 million, including about 2.3 million Egyptians working in other countries.
1996
In 1996, the census found a population of 59.3 million.
2006
In 2006, the thirteenth census in the Egyptian census series revealed that the Egypt's population hit 76.5 million inside and outside the country.
2017
A new census was done in 2017. Census day was 18 April 2017 and Egypt's population on that date was estimated to be 94,798,827.
Latest census details (2006)
Nationwide demographics
Population by sex and residence
Population by governorate
Future projections
At current pace, Egypt's population is expected to reach 160 million by 2050. However, if the current rate of reproduction diminishes, the population may be limited to 120 million by 2050. Egypt already has one of the highestreal population densities in the world.
