30.2% increase in the number of foreign workers licensed in the private investment sector in Egypt in 2023: CAPMAS

The total number of foreigners who received work permits in the private and investment sectors in Egypt reached 17,357 in 2023 compared to 13,331 in 2022. This significant increase of 30.2% was recorded by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS ) in its annual report bulletin.

CAPMAS revealed that in 2023, work permits were issued to 7,973 foreigners for the first time, representing 45.9% of the total. Additionally, the employment contracts of 9,384 foreigners were extended, which constitutes 54.1% of employees.

Among foreign workers, the largest group were workers from non-Arab Asian countries – 6,275 people (36.2%). They are closely followed by Europeans with 5,975 people (34.4%), while Arabs make up 3,487 people (20.1%). Non-Arab Americans and Africans made up smaller portions, 779 (4.5%) and 662 (3.8%), respectively. The smallest group came from Oceania and consisted of only 71 individuals (0.4%).

Labor directorates issued the majority of work permits for foreign workers in the private and investment sectors in 2023, granting 8,122 permits (46.8%). Investment offices issued 6,227 permits (35.9%), company offices 2,246 permits (12.9%), and oil offices 762 permits (4.4%).

The report also paid attention to the occupational distribution of foreign workers. The largest category were legislators, senior officials and managers, totaling 5,413 people (31.2%). They are closely followed by specialists in scientific fields – 4,215 people (24.3%), and technicians and specialists – 3,337 people (19.2%).

As far as industries are concerned, industrial processing employed the most foreign workers – 4,495 people (25.9%). In second place was the art, entertainment and recreation sector, with 3,397 people (19.6%), followed by construction (2,288 people, 13.2%) and catering and accommodation services (2,225 people, 12.8%).