Unemployment in Egypt has dropped to 12.0% in 1Q2017 from 12.4% a quarter earlier, according to CAPMAS. The labor force increased by 0.3% q-o-q in 1Q2017 to 29.15 mn and the number of those who are unemployed dropped by 2.5% to 3.50 mn in the same quarter. The unemployment rate among females is still stubbornly high at 24.7%, despite dropping from its 4Q2016 level of 25.3%. Among males, the unemployment rate is at 8.2%. Youth unemployment remains a concern as 79% of those who are unemployed are in the 15-29 year old bracket, according to CAPMAS. Labor force participation rate stood at 45.8% in 1Q2017, down from 46.4% in 4Q2016.

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