Egypt: Introductory country profile

The UK has strong diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Egypt. Egypt is also one of the UK’s human rights priority countries. Issues that the UK has raised concerns for include Egypt’s use of the death penalty and freedom of speech, as well as on the detention of British-Egyptian Alaa Abd El-Fattah.

This briefing introduces Egypt’s politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading. Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.

What does this paper cover?

This 17-page briefing provides an introduction to Egypt’s: 

• Leadership, politics, and political rights under President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
• Human rights, such as the rights of women and freedom of religion or belief. 
• Trade with the UK and UK aid to Egypt 
• Economy, including key statistics on population, economic growth and leading industries 
• Foreign relations with the United States, China, Russia, and other Middle Eastern states.

The paper signposts further reading on each of these topics on pages 15 to 17. This includes links to UK Parliament proceedings on Egypt and relevant Commons Library briefing papers. 

Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.