It may take many months for Egyptians to learn whether the Muslim
Brotherhood and its newly elected President Mohamed Morsi have achieved
meaningful power or whether the Egyptian Army remains the true broker in
the country. Either way, whoever emerges as the de facto leader of
Egypt will be faced with the awkward reality of more fundamental
indicators—Egypt’s demography, geography, economy and environment. These
pose predicaments that threaten to overwhelm the country.
Egypt’s current population is around eighty-two million, with an annual growth rate of about 2 percent. The population could reach nearly 115 million in about fifteen years. Most of the population resides in the lush Nile Delta and along the narrow strip of greenery along its banks that runs through the center of the country. The actual land area occupied by this huge population is small—larger than Maryland, smaller than the Netherlands.
The bulk of the population falls between the ages of fourteen and thirty-four. People of this age group historically have been much more active in seeking social change, and at present they have a tough lot—unemployment among people between twenty and twenty-four is at 47 percent, even though many are well educated. Opportunities, especially the secure government jobs that many across the Middle East dream of, are limited. High birth rates are creating job seekers faster than Egypt’s weak finances can create opportunities for them.
Read more: http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/egypts-demographic-environmental-time-bombs-7164
Egypt’s current population is around eighty-two million, with an annual growth rate of about 2 percent. The population could reach nearly 115 million in about fifteen years. Most of the population resides in the lush Nile Delta and along the narrow strip of greenery along its banks that runs through the center of the country. The actual land area occupied by this huge population is small—larger than Maryland, smaller than the Netherlands.
The bulk of the population falls between the ages of fourteen and thirty-four. People of this age group historically have been much more active in seeking social change, and at present they have a tough lot—unemployment among people between twenty and twenty-four is at 47 percent, even though many are well educated. Opportunities, especially the secure government jobs that many across the Middle East dream of, are limited. High birth rates are creating job seekers faster than Egypt’s weak finances can create opportunities for them.
Read more: http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/egypts-demographic-environmental-time-bombs-7164
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