1. Egyptian Migration: Trends, Figures, and Current Challenges
CAPMAS, October 20, 2015

2. Historical Background Egyptian Migration Statistics
Topics for Discussion
Historical Background
Egyptian Migration Statistics
Contemporary Egyptian Migration
Data Collection Systems and Challenges
Migration and Development in Egypt
Migration Management
Cooperation on Migration
The Way Ahead

3. Historical Background

4. Historical Background
Historically, Egypt was a land of immigrants.
Egypt has been an area of international migration (migration from the eastern and the north-eastern Mediterranean countries to Egypt).
In the past, foreigners were coming to Egypt while Egyptians rarely migrated abroad till the mid mid-1950s.
Migration for Egypt peaked after 1975.

5. Egyptian Migration Statistics
Number of Egyptians abroad ranges between 3.8 to 8 million!
Two main destinations for Egyptian migrants;
Arab countries (Temporary Labor Migration), and
the West (Permanent Migration).
Regular vs. Irregular Migration
Migration to Egypt

6. Migration and Development in Egypt
Egypt has long tried to use migration as a strategy for development.
Initially, this mainly concerned using migration as a means of easing pressure on the Egyptian labour market.
This was the reasons why the State authorized permanent and temporary migration in 1971 and lifted restrictions on labour migration in 1974.

7. Migration and Development in Egypt
However, in 1981, when the Egyptian government further eased migration procedures, the aim was no longer only to resolve unemployment problems, but also to increase remittances necessary to supply payment deficits.

8. Migration and Development in Egypt
Remittances
Trends in Remittances
Social remittances
Transfer of Knowledge
Trade and Investment

9. Migration and Development in Egypt

10. Migration Institutions
Migration Management
Migration Laws
Law no. 111/1983
Migration Policies
The five Pillars of Migration Policy:
Encouraging emigration to ensure equilibrium in the domestic labor market;
Fighting illegal migration;
Maximizing economic benefits of migration and increasing migrants’ remittances;
ensuring the welfare of emigrants; and
Meeting labor demand in receiving countries.
Migration Institutions

11. Cooperation on Migration
Cooperation with Arab Countries
Cooperation with the EU and Member States
Cooperation with Regional and International Organizations

12. The Way Ahead
Migration and Development beyond Remittances
Migration Statistics and Databases
Migration Policy
Migration: A window of Opportunity

13. Thank You