Egypt's healthcare system is under mounting pressure, as evidenced by a noticeable decline in its professional workforce. A major driver of this contraction is a concerning trend: the increasing emigration of its Egyptian physicians.

A growing number of doctors are choosing to leave Egypt, seeking better opportunities abroad. This outflow is beginning to cast a long shadow over the nation's health infrastructure and broader economic well-being.

Understanding the multifaceted reasons behind this growing exodus and its potential consequences is crucial for safeguarding Egypt’s healthcare future.

The Growing Exodus of Egyptian Physicians

The strain on Egypt's health sector is increasing, partly reflected in its workforce representation. In 2024, the percentage of workers in the health, social, and religious services public sector fell to 2.6% from 3.2% in 2023, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Likewise, the number of civilian workers in the sector dropped to 16,226, compared to 21,491 in 2023.  

This contraction is significantly influenced by a concerning trend of physician emigration. In 2022, resignations from the public health sector peaked, with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate reporting that 4,361 government-employed doctors submitted their resignations in early 2023. This translates to an average of 13.5 resignations per working day, marking the highest rate in seven years, as reported by the syndicate.

The Egyptian Medical Syndicate has identified low wages as a major factor behind these resignations. For instance, in 2020, resident physicians in the public sector earned an average monthly salary of just EGP 3,700 during their initial three years. Even in the private sector, compensation was meager, ranging between EGP 500 and 1,250 for a 12-hour shift.

The Broader Economic Impact of Doctor Exodus

The large-scale emigration of doctors from Egypt carries serious economic impacts, primarily through its effects on the healthcare system, human capital loss, and broader development goals.

Ehab Younis, Professor and Head of Economics Department at El Shorouk Academy, tells Arab Finance: “The decline in the number of healthcare providers, especially with the spread of many diseases, will increase the demand for healthcare services. This will lead to several negative outcomes, including a rise in the cost of healthcare services, which will be a burden to Egyptian families who already complain about the high cost of living, leading to a rise in inflation.”

The emigration of doctors will further degrade the quality of healthcare services, a concern already voiced by many, according to Younis. “The increased cost and declining quality will lead to poor health conditions for workers, which will directly impact productivity due to increased sick leave or deteriorating health conditions among workers. All of this will negatively impact production and economic growth,” Younis points out.

Cabinet Strategic Response on the Value of Emigration

Amidst these challenges, the state is actively working to bolster the supply of medical professionals. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently affirmed that the government has significantly increased the number of medical school graduates from 7,000 doctors annually to 29,000 doctors. This strategic move aims to meet the increasing demand for Egyptian medical teams both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, Madbouly clarified a nuanced perspective on doctors' emigration, depicting it as a matter of honor and a benefit to the state. He highlighted that doctors working abroad contribute to enhancing medical expertise and, importantly, bring in valuable hard currency to Egypt. This perspective aligns with the recent surge in remittances.

Remittances from Egyptians working abroad surged by 81% during the first seven months of fiscal year (FY) 2024/2025, reaching $20 billion, compared to $11 billion during the same period the previous FY, data by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) showed.  

Looking ahead, Egypt intends to boost remittances by an average of 10% annually between 2024 and 2030, with the expectation of reaching $53 billion by the end of the period, as stated by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC).

Understanding Egyptian Doctors’ Needs to Improve Retention

Retaining doctors within the Egyptian health system requires a full understanding of what pushes them away. In this regard, Manival Usama, a gynecologist, tells Arab Finance: “In my opinion, the primary factors influencing doctors' decision to stay or leave Egypt's healthcare system are the lack of medical facilities and the low income combined with stressful working hours.”

Meanwhile, Mohamed, a pediatrician, explains, “Salaries are not rewarding. Unfortunately, working conditions in Egypt have become very difficult. This, of course, affects the appreciation and the general situation in terms of working in a calm environment with a suitable work system, and a financial return that ensures a decent life.”

To encourage doctors to stay, Usama emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that encompasses “working rules that allow doctors to work peacefully and respectfully with no stress, updated medical facilities, and higher income.”

Moreover, Mohamed points out the importance of “effective policies that prioritize actively listening to and addressing doctors’ grievances, recognizing their invaluable contributions, acknowledging their heightened vulnerability to infection (along with their families), and ensuring compensation and working conditions that guarantee a dignified life.”

Younis adds that “economic incentives for retaining medical personnel can be restructured. This includes reviewing wages, especially for government employees, and offering incentives and sick pay. The comprehensive insurance system, already implemented in some governorates, can help address this issue. New investments in healthcare infrastructure, as well as the provision of digital health services, can also help retain medical personnel in Egypt.”

The growing exodus of Egyptian physicians represents a significant challenge with far-reaching implications for the nation's healthcare system and its broader economic stability.

Driven by factors such as inadequate compensation, difficult working conditions, and a lack of necessary resources, the increasing rate of doctor emigration threatens to deplete the healthcare workforce, escalate healthcare costs, diminish service quality, and negatively impact national productivity.

The insights shared by medical professionals and economic experts underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to address these issues.

By Sarah Samir

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