Egypt: the Ghost of Malthus Lingers On

As the most populous state in the Middle East, Egypt presents the economic planner with an enormous developmental challenge. In view of the economic backwardness and widespread resistance to change that existed in 1952 before the revolution, the achievements since then have been remarkable, however, involving as they have radical changes in the economic structure of this teeming country. A substantial industrial sector has been created in what was hitherto a primarily agricultural economy. Within each sector there has been considerable diversification, and the country’s industrial capacity now includes an iron and steel plant, as well as numerous manufacturing establishments producing consumer durables.1 Major infrastructural developments have been undertaken, the most conspicuous of which is the Aswan High Dam, which has resulted in the provision of electricity in towns throughout the Republic. This, in addition to the country’s petroleum reserves, means that there are adequate energy resources for further industrial expansion for the first time in its history.