Poverty and Income Distribution
Behind the facade of an affluent nation, Egypt is actually facing high levels of unemployment and immense poverty. The majority of its younger population is struggling with unemployment and destitution, and heightening food prices in Cairo
According to an Associated Press report, nearly half of all Egyptians live under or just above the poverty line. In fact, more than 15 million Egyptians live on less than $1 a day, and the figure is steadily increasing. The Minister of Economic Development, Othman Mohamed Othman, once mentioned that the poverty rate in Egypt had rose from 19 percent of the population in 2005 to 21 percent in 2009.
Various statistical databases show that Egypt has:
· A population of 80 million, with 33 percent who are 14 years and below; and 20 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
· A labor force of 26 million, with 32 percent working in agriculture, 17 percent in industry, and 51 percent in the service sector.
· An unemployment rate of 9.7 percent.
· A literacy rate of above 71 percent, with males at 83 percent and females at 59.4 percent
Read more about this topic: Agriculture In Egypt
Famous quotes containing the words poverty, income and/or distribution:
“To be idle and to be poor have always been reproaches, and therefore every man endeavours with his utmost care to hide his poverty from others, and his idleness from himself.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“Work though we must, our jobs do not automatically determine our priorities concerning our marriages, our children, our social life, or even our health. It’s still life, constrained as it may be by limited disposable income or leisure time, and we’re still responsible for making it something we enjoy or endure.”
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)
“My topic for Army reunions ... this summer: How to prepare for war in time of peace. Not by fortifications, by navies, or by standing armies. But by policies which will add to the happiness and the comfort of all our people and which will tend to the distribution of intelligence [and] wealth equally among all. Our strength is a contented and intelligent community.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)