Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the Egyptian government for failing to provide adequate funding for education and health care, falling short of constitutional obligations and international standards.
The organisation says this has left schools and hospitals under-resourced, with severe shortages of teachers, doctors, and nurses, forcing families to pay fees and medical costs out of pocket.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, Egypt allocated £315 billion (S$6.3 billion) to education, just 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), far below the 6% required by the Constitution. Health spending of £245 billion ($4.9 billion) represents only 1.1% of GDP, below the constitutional minimum of 3 percent and far below international benchmarks for universal health coverage.
“The government’s chronic underfunding of education and health shows a deep disregard for its citizens’ rights,” said Amr Magdi, Senior Researcher at HRW. Families face high costs for schooling and medical care, while doctors and nurses leave the public sector due to poor pay and conditions.
HRW warned that these deliberate funding shortfalls violate Egypt’s obligations under international law, which guarantees the rights to education and health for all, regardless of income. The organisation urged the government to take urgent, concrete steps to provide free education and accessible, high-quality health care.
–ChannelAfrica–
