Egypt homes over nine million international migrants and refugees from 133 countries, reveals the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In a press statement published by the renowned non-profit organization on 8 August, the IOM estimated that up to 9,012,582 migrants, or 8.7 percent of the country’s population, consists of migrants. The IOM’s latest statistics, part of a wider assessment conducted from 2019 to 2022, are based on conducted studies and various embassies’ datasets. Since 2019, Egypt has seen a steady increase in international migrants due to political and economic instability in the region; currently, 80 percent hail from neighboring countries Sudan (4 million), Syria (1.5 million), Yemen (one million) and Libya (one million). Up to 56 percent reside in five governorates, Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Damietta, and Dakahlia. The rest are scattered throughout the country, in a perfectly balanced ratio of men (50.4 percent) and women (49.6 percent). The average migrant is also 35 years old, further elaborates the UN agency’s press release. “The Egyptian government’s positive rhetoric towards migrants and refugees may be seen as a magnet for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to Egypt recently,” it adds. Currently, refugees…
