Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad revealed on Thursday, October 22, 2026, that the unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in 2026, down from around 13% at the end of 2013, while approximately 11.2 million people found jobs in Egypt and abroad over the past 12 years. In his remarks at Egypt Forum 2026, Raddad said that the country's labor force had reached 35.6 million people, including 33.6 million employed workers.
He added that government investment, national projects, cooperation with the private sector and vocational training programmes had contributed to employment growth. The Minister noted that Egypt had spent approximately EGP 9.66 billion on financial assistance, healthcare and social protection for workers since 2014.
The amount included EGP 2.39 billion in emergency wage support for 353,000 employees at 3,658 businesses facing economic difficulties, as well as EGP 7.27 billion in assistance for informal workers. Raddad also stated that the ministry was expanding vocational training through 87 fixed and mobile centers and preparing to launch the second phase of the "Mehany 2030" programme.
He added that 395 labor offices had been connected to a digital network, while work continued on a national online platform to provide employment services and connect jobseekers with employers. The Minister also said Labor Law No. 14 of 2025 introduced stronger protections against unfair dismissal and established specialized labour courts to settle workplace disputes.
Looking ahead, Raddad said Egypt aimed to create 1.4 million jobs annually by 2030, increase manufacturing employment to six million, and reduce informal employment to 45%. The Eighth Edition of the “Turathna 2026” Exhibition for Handicrafts and Heritage Products The Eighth Edition of the “Turathna 2026” Exhibition for Handicrafts and Heritage Products