The Demography of Employment and Unemployment in Egypt from 2002 to 2012

This study traces the trends in both employment and unemployment in Egypt on the basis of some demographic variables. It also studies the gender gap in employment and unemployment in order to highlight the status of females in Egypt. Ultimately, it will depend on data issued by official statistical authorities on the national level for the target period (2002-2012). The study concludes that the unemployment rate among those with higher education, especially females, reached its maximum in 2012. There were also significant differences in the rates between males and females and residents of urban and rural areas, as unemployment in urban areas was higher than in rural. The unemployed males in urban areas and the male graduates of theoretical faculties experienced the highest increase in unemployment during the period under analysis. This study recommends the adoption of national projects of employment in collaboration with the private sector to limit the gender gap and reinforce the participation of youth in the labor force. Moreover, it hopes to attract the attention of officials and provide motivation for them to develop unemployment protection plans and policies to enhance the economic status of youth and women in Egypt.