Access to Higher Education in Egypt: Examining Trends by University Sector

Abstract

Access to higher education in Egypt is expanding in both the public and private sectors. Using a nationally representative sample from the Survey of Young People in Egypt, this article is able to disaggregate patterns of access by both demographic group and university sector. Findings suggest that access in the public sector is governed strongly by performance on exit exams and is growing most rapidly for women, rural youth, and middle-class Egyptians. In contrast, access to private universities is growing most rapidly for males, youth in Cairo, and the top wealth quintile. Although far from equal, continued expansion of the public sector will likely promote greater inclusiveness, while expansion of the private sector may exacerbate wealth and regional inequalities.