Egypt is moving to strengthen its social sectors with a notable rise in spending on health and education in the upcoming fiscal year, a step that economists say reflects a shift toward human-centered development. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk announced on Saturday that health sector allocations will increase by 30%, while education spending will grow by 20%, compared to a 13.5% rise in total public expenditure.b
Even before the full details of implementation are clear, economists see the move as significant. Speaking to The Egyptian Gazette, Economist Khaled El-Shafei, who chairs the Capital Center for Economic Studies, described the increases as a “positive and important step” that shows the government is giving real priority to health and education. However, he cautioned that higher spending must be backed by a comprehensive and integrated vision to ensure meaningful progress across all governorates.
Speaking at a press conference to unveil the budget, Kouchouk emphasized that these sectors are essential to improving citizens’ quality of life and supporting long-term economic growth. “We are prioritizing health and education as key pillars for sustainable development,” he said.
A substantial share of the health budget will be directed toward improving access to medical services and supplies. The government has allocated 90.5 billion Egyptian pounds to the Unified Procurement Authority, marking a 25% annual increase. This funding is intended to secure medicines, medical equipment, and other essential supplies for public healthcare facilities.
In addition, 47.5 billion pounds have been designated for state-funded treatment programs, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals—an increase of 69% compared to the previous year. The plan also includes additional resources to expand the comprehensive health insurance system, particularly in Minya Governorate, as part of a broader national rollout.
El-Shafei noted that while these figures are encouraging, the real challenge lies in execution. He stressed that improving service quality will require not only funding but also better management, coordination, and oversight. Without that, he warned, the impact on citizens may fall short of expectations.
On the education side, the government is focusing on both access and student welfare. The budget allocates 7.8 billion pounds for printing pre-university textbooks and 7 billion pounds for school nutrition programs. These initiatives are designed to ease the burden on families and enhance the learning environment, particularly in public schools.
Kouchouk also highlighted plans to boost investments in infrastructure, including the development and maintenance of schools and healthcare facilities across the country. The goal, he said, is to reduce regional disparities and ensure more equitable access to services.
