France and Egypt
Defense, transport, development financing and heritage sustain the relationship. The strategic rapprochement incorporates mobility and education, while human rights remain a sensitive issue.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07From historical ties to strategic partnership
The relationship combines diplomacy, the economy and longstanding cultural contacts.
Military contracts and rights issues
Military cooperation includes contracts for Rafale aircraft, corvettes and a frigate, documented by French diplomacy.
Mobility and financing: progress and negotiations
In April 2026, 2026–2030 financial cooperation and project progress were reviewed.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 3,494.45 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Goods: France to Egypt | 2,086.82 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Goods: Egypt to France | 1,407.63 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: France to Egypt | 0.3 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Export share: Egypt to France | ||
| Investment stock: France in Egypt | 1,315 M EUR | 2024 · Source |
| Investment stock: Egypt in France | 389 M EUR | 2024 · Source |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: France to Egypt
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Egypt to France
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Export share: France to Egypt
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods share: FRA exports to the partner / the same reporter's exports to the world, same year.
- Investment stock: France in Egypt
- 2024 · France Diplomatie / Banque de France · French stock in Egypt at the end of 2024; not an annual flow of -112 million or AFD financing.
- Investment stock: Egypt in France
- 2024 · France Diplomatie / Banque de France · Egyptian stock in France at 31 December 2024.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Year-on-year inflation: different periods or frequencies; the two figures are not directly comparable.
| Indicator | France | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 3.37 trillion USD2025 · WB | 365.25 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 48,985.73 USD2025 · WB | 3,085.81 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 0.84 %2025 · WB | 4.39 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE | |
| Inflation · annual average | 0.94 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 14.07 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · Insee | 14.5 %Urban headline CPI · 2026-08 · year-on-year · CBE / CAPMASUrban coverage; not national CPI |
| Unemployment | 7.54 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 6.78 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -5.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -6.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 116 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 86.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -0.27 %2025 · WB | -3.82 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 68,720,3372025 · WB | 118,365,9952025 · WB |
| Area | 606,410 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 1,001,450 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDFrance: 2025 · World BankEgypt: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personFrance: 2025 · World BankEgypt: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)France: 2025 · World BankEgypt: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)France: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)France: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankEgypt: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedFrance: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Insee · Published: 2026-09-30 · provisional · Provisional · National headline CPI, year-on-year, not monthly inflation or an annual average. Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.Egypt: 2026-08 · CAPMAS urban headline CPI; year-on-year change · CBE / CAPMAS · Published: 2026-09-10 · Explicit urban coverage, distinct from other countries' national CPI; core inflation is not used. Official statement verified in the search index; the CBE server blocks direct access. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionFrance: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Egypt: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Egypt: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Egypt: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPFrance: 2025 · World BankEgypt: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Population
- PeopleFrance: 2025 · World BankEgypt: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceFrance: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOEgypt: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
France to Egypt
Egypt to France
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | France to Egypt | Egypt to France |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,286.2 | 2,196.2 | 1,090 |
| 2022 | 4,791.5 | 2,423.5 | 2,368 |
| 2023 | 3,132.5 | 1,906.1 | 1,226.5 |
| 2024 | 3,243.6 | 1,938.4 | 1,305.2 |
| 2025 | 3,494.5 | 2,086.8 | 1,407.6 |
Connections between people
Bilingual education, universities and archaeological cooperation connect professionals and students. Readmission and return negotiations are distinct from legal educational mobility. [2] [5] [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from France living in Egypt | ||
| Residents from Egypt living in France | ||
| Study and training: France in Egypt | ||
| Study and training: Egypt in FranceStudents of Egyptian nationality; higher education in France | 3,256 | 2024–2025 · Campus France / SIES |
| Academic stays: France in Egypt | ||
| Academic stays: Egypt in France | ||
| Travel: France to Egypt | ||
| Travel: Egypt to France |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: Egypt in France
- SIES register of all covered institution types. 2023 figure for the opposite direction unavailable; it is not replaced with the old 18 from 2020. 2024–2025 · Campus France / SIES
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
From historical ties to strategic partnership
The relationship combines diplomacy, the economy and longstanding cultural contacts. France and Egypt maintain embassies and cooperation in heritage, education and training. The French presidential visit on April 7 and 8, 2025, elevated the bilateral framework to a strategic partnership; its first follow-up dialogue was held in Cairo on April 20, 2026. That institutionalization brings together areas already having their own projects and creates a mechanism to review implementation. Cooperation with France also forms part of Egyptian foreign policy maintaining relations with other partners, not an exclusive alliance. [1] [2]
Military contracts and rights issues
Military cooperation includes contracts for Rafale aircraft, corvettes and a frigate, documented by French diplomacy. Procurement contracts, delivery schedules and maintenance are matters distinct from Egypt's annual military spending. At the same time, France's own presentation of the country covers concerns over detention of opposition figures and human rights defenders and certain laws and restrictions. Security cooperation does not resolve those issues. Readers need to understand both aspects: the relationship helps equip and train capabilities, while freedoms and treatment of people remain part of political dialogue. [3] [4]
Metro systems, public services and university cooperation
AFD and Egyptian authorities work on transport, energy, housing and health. The 2026 dialogue recalled nine financing agreements worth 262.2 million EUR signed during the 2025 visit and support for the universal health insurance program. These are development financing instruments, not business direct investment. The Cairo metro line 6 project has precedents in a 2021 roadmap. In education, the first bilateral higher education meetings in April 2025 and Choose France activities connect universities and students; heritage and archaeology maintain another network of professionals and institutions. [2] [5] [1]
The scale of the two economies
France's reference nominal GDP is 3366.3 billion USD in 2025, compared with 365.3 in 2025 for Egypt. The reference populations are 68.72 million (2025) and 118.37 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, France's nominal GDP was 9.22 times Egypt's. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [8] [9] [10] [11]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Mobility and financing: progress and negotiations
In April 2026, 2026–2030 financial cooperation and project progress were reviewed. The statement indicated that the green industry project's loan was still being finalized, despite a simplified agreement having been signed in October 2025. A returns and readmissions agreement was also discussed following a third negotiating round in Paris on April 8 and 9. Those negotiations are not presented as a treaty already concluded. Accumulated investment figures included in the table come from Banque de France and retain 2024 as their reference year, independently of the 2026 meetings. [2]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between France and Egypt totaled 3494.5 million USD. Shipments from France to Egypt were 2086.8 million USD; those in the opposite direction were 1407.6 million USD. France's shipments to the partner represented 0.3% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [6]
Recorded direct investment
France's direct investment position in Egypt was EUR 1315 million in 2024. French stock in Egypt at the end of 2024; not an annual flow of -112 million or AFD financing. [7]
Egypt's direct investment position in France was EUR 389 million in 2024. Egyptian stock in France as of 31 December 2024. [7]
Mobility and communities: documented figures
The published figure for Egypt in France is 3256 students (2024–2025). Students of Egyptian nationality; higher education in France. SIES register of all covered institution types. 2023 figure for the opposite direction unavailable; it is not replaced with the old 18 from 2020. [12]
Milestones and consequences
- 2015
Military contracts
Sales of Rafale aircraft, a frigate and associated systems are agreed. [3]
- 2021
Transport roadmap
Framework for urban transport cooperation. [2]
- 2025-04-07
Strategic partnership
The French visit expands the institutional relationship. [2]
- 2026-04-20
First strategic dialogue
Financing, mobility, education and heritage are reviewed. [2]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Bilateral relations with Egypt
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- First French-Egyptian strategic dialogue
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Document: 2026-04-20 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Economic and military cooperation with Egypt
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Political situation and rights in Egypt
France Diplomatie · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Educational cooperation and mobility
Campus France · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 251; partners 0,76,818,784
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- February 2026, p.2; stock 2024, not negative annual flow
France Diplomatie / Banque de France · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- October 2025; 3256 Egyptian students France 2024–25; France in Egypt 2023 ND (not 2020 18)
Campus France / SIES · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 88; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 88; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 251; partners 76,818,784; X/M; annual goods.