How Many Sudanese in Egypt? Latest Figures, Trends and Impact

Sudanese who have fled the civil war often seek refuge in Egyptian cities along the Nilearabnews.com. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, Egypt has become the largest host country for Sudanese refugees. By official estimates, over 1.5 million Sudanese have entered Egypt to escape violence. UN data show that almost one million refugees and asylum-seekers are now registered in Egypt, with Sudanese nationals comprising roughly 73% of that population. This blog answers the question “how many Sudanese in Egypt?” by reviewing the most recent statistics and describing refugee conditions, legal status, demographics, challenges, and the international response.

Numbers of Sudanese in Egypt

Egyptian and UN figures both point to well over a million Sudanese in the country. Government sources report that approximately 1.5 million Sudanese have arrived in Egypt since the war began. For example, an Egyptian official noted that Egypt has received “over 1.5 million Sudanese nationals” since April 2023. In late 2024, UNHCR cited government data indicating more than 1.2 million Sudanese seeking protection in Egypt. Not all arrivals have completed formal registration, but these large-scale inflows make Egypt the largest host of Sudanese refugees worldwide.

On the UNHCR side, the registered refugee population in Egypt has surged from under 100,000 before 2023 to nearly 1.0 million by mid-2025. A June 2025 UNHCR fact sheet reports 992,000 refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Egypt, “the largest number in its history.” Sudanese are by far the largest group. The same report’s data chart shows about 726,000 registered Sudanese (73% of the total) as of June 2025. Similarly, UNHCR’s data portal lists 737,394 registered Sudanese refugees as of June 30, 2025. (For comparison, Syrians are the next largest group at roughly 130,000.) Table or bullet summaries below highlight the key figures:

• Total Sudanese arrivals (since Apr 2023): ~1.5 million (Egyptian govt estimate).

• Registered Sudanese refugees: ~737,000 (UNHCR, June 2025).

• Total registered refugees in Egypt: ~992,000 (June 2025). Sudanese account for ~73% of the total.

• Women & children among arrivals: UNHCR reports 55% are female and 41% are children (Refugees International notes up to ~75% of recent arrivals are women/children).

• Urban distribution: Refugees live primarily in cities (Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Sharkia, Damietta, etc.). There are no formal camps for Sudanese in Egypt – most settle in Egyptian communities or run-down neighborhoods in major cities.

• Legal status: A new Egyptian asylum law (2024) is being rolled out. Until then, UNHCR registered asylum-seekers under an MOU, but many Sudanese still lack legal papers.

• Funding: UNHCR states it has only ~29% of needed funds to assist these refugees, leaving thousands without cash assistance.

In short, the current Sudanese population in Egypt is on the order of one to one-and-a-half million people, mostly recent refugees. The figure “how many Sudanese in Egypt” can be answered by combining government and UN data: well over 1.2 million have crossed the border since 2023, and roughly 1 million are registered by UNHCR. This dramatic increase is unprecedented. (For context, before 2023 there were only on the order of 50–100,000 Sudanese counted as refugees or migrants in Egypt.)

Influx Fueled by the Sudan War (2023–25)

The sudden jump in Sudanese numbers is a direct result of the civil war in Sudan. In April 2023, fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting spread across Khartoum, Darfur and other regions, killing tens of thousands and uprooting millions. UNHCR reports that over 12 million Sudanese have been displaced internally, and over 3.2 million have fled to neighboring countries since April 2023. No other country has hosted more of those refugees than Egypt. A Refugees International analysis confirms that “Egypt has received more Sudanese refugees than any other nation since the conflict began in April 2023”.

Sudanese refugees chose Egypt for many reasons. Egypt shares a long land border with Sudan and deep cultural ties: Sudanese and Egyptians speak Arabic and share Sunni Muslim faith, making daily life easier for newcomers. Unlike most African hosts, Egypt has no refugee camps – refugees self-settle in towns and rely on community networks and informal jobs. Many Sudanese mention they prefer Egypt’s relative stability and proximity: if conditions improve in Sudan, they can more easily go home from Egypt.

Summary of Influx Trends:

• Since April 2023: ∼1.5 million Sudanese have fled to Egypt. At peak, thousands were arriving daily in May–June 2023; the rate stabilized to hundreds per day later.

• Gender/age: The influx is heavily skewed toward women and children. UNHCR reports 55% of registered refugees are female and 41% are under 18 (Refugees International found roughly 75% are women and children). Many families fled together, often with a male head of household staying behind to look for work or delay departure.

• Origin regions: While detailed breakdowns aren’t fully public, many of the newcomers appear to be from Khartoum, Darfur and border regions. Pregnant women and sick patients specifically cited failing healthcare and insecurity in Sudan as they fled.

Refugee Legal Status and Policy Changes

The legal status of Sudanese in Egypt is complex. Formally, Egypt has no refugee camps and grants asylum under international conventions. Egypt is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, and its 2014 Constitution guarantees the state may grant asylum to those persecuted for “people, human rights, peace or justice”. In practice until late 2024, UNHCR conducted registration and status determination under a 1954 MOU with the government.

In December 2024 Egypt enacted its first-ever asylum law (Law No. 164/2024) to create a national refugee system. This law transfers asylum processing from UNHCR to an Egyptian government body (the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs). Official statements frame the law as part of Egypt’s inclusive policy (“refugees…on equal footing with Egyptians”). However, international observers note that the new law lacks some safeguards (no explicit temporary protection mechanism, vague security grounds) and may slow down registration. In short, Sudanese arriving now must seek asylum through the new national system, but UNHCR remains active to help manage the transition.

Meanwhile, border and visa rules have tightened. At the war’s outbreak, Egypt initially waived visa rules for Sudanese women, children and elders. By May 2023, Egypt reinstated visa requirements for all Sudanese, forcing many to cross at remote land points. In late 2023, authorities even required “prior security clearance” for men aged 16–50 entering from Sudan. Those unable to obtain visas have traveled irregularly, exposing them to detention or exploitation. Amnesty International and UN reports document mass arrests and expulsions of undocumented Sudanese. According to Amnesty (Mar 2024), roughly 500,000 Sudanese had entered by then (about half undocumented), and UNHCR recorded thousands of deportations. For example, from April–September 2023 UNHCR noted 5,000+ deportations from Egypt back to Sudan for lack of papers, and in November 2023 about 1,600 Sudanese (including registered refugees) were forcibly sent back. These actions have raised legal concerns, since under non-refoulement Egypt is obligated not to return refugees where they face harm.

Demographic Profile of Sudanese in Egypt

Sudanese refugees in Egypt are overwhelmingly urban and family-centered. UNHCR reports that nearly all live in cities rather than camps ط. The largest concentrations are in Greater Cairo and Alexandria, as well as Damietta and Sharqia governorates. Many settle in impoverished neighborhoods alongside Egyptian poor. There are no formal settlements, so Sudanese families rely on rental housing and community networks.

Key demographics: UNHCR’s surveys (Apr 2025) show women are 55% and children 41% of the newly registered population. Refugees International similarly noted “almost 75% are women and children”. This reflects that many men stayed behind in Sudan or left for Gulf jobs, while women/children fled. The majority of arrivals are also ethnically Arab Sudanese (with many Darfuri among them); nearly all speak Arabic, easing integration. Sudanese schools operate informally (mostly in Cairo), but many have closed recently (see below).

Although exact origins vary, common stories emerge: families fleeing Khartoum bombardment, Darfuri women escaping rape threats, patients seeking medical care, etc. For example, Refugees International highlighted Sudanese professionals (doctors, activists) who fled death threats. In short, the Sudanese population in Egypt is largely composed of women with children who fled acute insecurity or collapsed services in Sudan.

Living Conditions and Challenges

Sudanese refugees in Egypt face harsh conditions. Living costs in Egypt (inflation, rent, food) are high for newcomers. UNHCR notes many refugees “lack a stable source of income” and basic needs are hard to meet. Key challenges include:

• Economic Hardship: Refugees cannot work legally without onerous paperwork (passports and permits). As a result, many depend on daily labor or informal odd jobs, often with low pay. The UNHCR reports that inflation and limited jobs have made both refugees and poor Egyptians “barely cover basic needs”. Over half of funding for refugee aid is still unmet; UNHCR funding is only ~30% of requirements. This shortfall forced UNHCR to suspend monthly cash assistance to thousands of families, who now struggle with rent and food.

• Housing: There are no camps, so Sudanese live in urban apartments or shanties. Housing is often unaffordable and overcrowded. Reports indicate many Sudanese crowd into single rooms or share houses. In some cases, landlords have asked Sudanese tenants to leave. (This issue is raised by NGOs but lacks official stats.)

• Healthcare: Refugees do officially have access to Egypt’s public health system, but in practice medical care is often inaccessible. UNHCR recently suspended all non-emergency medical treatments for refugees due to lack of funds. As a result, illnesses that require surgery or chronic care (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.) go untreated. In Cairo clinics, many treatable refugee patients are now sent away. UNHCR estimates this affected roughly 20,000 refugee patients who lost coverage. People report risking death because they cannot afford costly Egyptian hospital bills.

• Education: Sudanese children have extremely limited schooling options. Initially, some community-run Sudanese schools operated, but many have been closed or unlicensed in 2024. Even Egyptian public schools are hard for refugees to access: language is not an issue (both speak Arabic), but overcrowding and fees block enrollment. A UNICEF/World Bank assessment found 54% of newly arrived Sudanese children are out of school. UNHCR warns that up to 50,000 refugee children risk dropping out if funding remains short. Lack of education threatens their future.

• Protection Risks: Sudanese refugees report increasing harassment and risk of abuse. According to Amnesty and NGO reports, Egyptian authorities have conducted mass arrests of undocumented Sudanese. Detained refugees face poor conditions (overcrowded police centers) and sometimes expulsion. NGOs have documented gender-based violence and exploitation against displaced women. Some refugees cite ongoing fear – even with UN registration, many Sudanese live with the constant threat of detention or forced return.

• Social Tensions: As the number of Sudanese grew rapidly, some Egyptians have reacted with distrust or hostility. There are anecdotal reports of discrimination in jobs and housing. In late 2024, social media images of confrontations circulated. While the government officially praises its inclusive approach, the social environment is tense. Refugees fear being scapegoated amidst Egypt’s own economic challenges.

In summary, living conditions are very difficult. The refugee influx strains Egypt’s resources: public schools, clinics, housing, and jobs are under pressure. Both refugees and Egyptians suffer, as UNHCR Representative Hanan Hamdan warned: “the burden on Egypt is unsustainable and requires immediate and substantial international assistance”.

International and Government Response

The Egyptian government and international community have launched several initiatives to cope with the Sudanese refugee crisis.

• Egypt’s Refugee Response Plan: In June 2025, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry (Migration Affairs) jointly launched a national Refugee and Resilience Response Plan (ERRRP) with UNHCR and UNDP. This plan appeals for US$339 million to support refugees and host communities in 2025. It aims to assist about 1.8 million refugees and affected Egyptians with services in education, health, livelihoods, food security and protection. The ERRRP is notable as Egypt’s first “nationally owned” refugee plan under the Global Compact on Refugees. Government officials emphasized that Egypt hosts over 1.5 million Sudanese – more than any other country – and called on donors to help shoulder the costs.

• UN Agencies: UNHCR has massively expanded operations in Egypt. It has opened extra registration centers (e.g., in Giza and Alexandria) and provided over 922,000 registration appointments for new Sudanese arrivals. As of May 2025, UNHCR had registered some 638,800 of those who fled. UNHCR’s ongoing emergency updates describe field missions, mobile registration, and distribution of documentation to refugees. UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) have focused on schooling: in 2024 ECW launched an emergency grant (US$2 million) reaching 20,000 Sudanese refugee children with non-formal education and psychosocial support. UNICEF also supports “Learning Spaces” and teacher training to help refugee kids.

• International Funding: Despite Egypt’s needs, the response remains underfunded. By mid-2025, UNHCR reported only 29% of the required aid had been funded. In practice, this means cuts in assistance: thousands of families lost cash assistance and humanitarian services. The Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan (covering Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, etc.) calls for hundreds of millions to address refugees’ needs, but only a fraction has been raised. ECW appeals note only 20% of education needs funding is secured.

• Bilateral Aid: Major donors are mobilizing some support. For example, Egypt’s 2024 Strategic Partnership with the EU included €600 million in migration and border management aid (including €200 million for “migration-related programs” in Egypt). The US and EU have provided humanitarian funds to Sudan’s crisis (though much of it goes to refugees in Sudan or other neighbors). Nevertheless, refugee agencies say donors must step up. UNHCR’s chief in Egypt warns that without new funding, thousands more children will lose education and access to health care.

• Government Measures: The Egyptian government has maintained an open-door approach (no camps, freedom of movement) and has provided some services (access to schools, hospitals, and work permits in theory). However, it has also tightened asylum procedures and entry rules (see above). On the positive side, officials say Egypt’s vision “leave no one behind” applies to refugees. The government has worked with UNHCR to integrate refugees into schools and health clinics. Recently, Egypt also launched nationwide programs to include Syrian and Sudanese refugees in national education and health services (though challenges persist).

• Civil Society and Refugee Networks: Numerous NGOs and refugee-led groups have mobilized. Sudanese community organizations in Cairo and Alexandria provide emergency aid, cultural orientation, and legal advice. However, under Egypt’s new asylum law, informal aid risks being criminalized, which has led some local NGOs to operate cautiously. UNHCR and partners coordinate cash assistance, legal clinics, and psychosocial support through a network of UN agencies and Egyptian NGOs.

In short, the international response is growing but still lags behind need. The UN and donors have recognized Egypt’s role with joint appeals. However, observers point out that per-capita aid for Sudanese refugees is far lower than for Syrian or South Sudanese refugees elsewhere. As one report puts it, “Egypt’s support… has been insufficient” and global donors must increase funding.

Key Takeaways

• Total Sudanese in Egypt: Official figures indicate around 1.5 million Sudanese have arrived since April 2023. UNHCR has registered nearly 1.0 million refugees/asylum-seekers in Egypt by mid-2025, of which roughly 730,000 are Sudanese (about 73%). These figures address “how many Sudanese in Egypt,” revealing a massive displaced population.

• Population Profile: The influx is predominantly women and children, and refugees live in urban settings (Cairo, Alexandria, etc.).

• Legal and Access Issues: Egypt has introduced its first asylum law (2024) and requires visas/security clearances for Sudanese. Many Sudanese remain undocumented or in limbo. Mass arrests and deportations of Sudanese (even registered refugees) have been reported.

• Humanitarian Conditions: Most Sudanese refugees self-settle without camps. Many lack jobs or legal work, so they face poverty. Public services are strained: hospitals have turned away non-emergency cases, and over half of refugee children lack schooling. UNHCR funding shortfalls mean cuts to cash and aid.

• International Support: Egypt has launched a national response plan (ERRRP) with UNHCR/UNDP, but only a minority of needed funds are secured. UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, ECW, IOM, etc.) are working in Cairo and provinces, but warn of “dire shortfalls” in aid. Donors (EU, USA, Gulf states) have pledged some support, yet appeals indicate significant gaps remain.

The situation is evolving daily. Egypt continues to receive new Sudanese arrivals, and UNHCR updates registrations weekly. For the most up-to-date figures, readers are referred to UNHCR’s Sudan Situation portal. What is clear from all current data is that Egypt now hosts the largest number of Sudanese refugees anywhere. Understanding “how many Sudanese are in Egypt” is critical, but equally important is ensuring these vulnerable people receive protection, services and a chance to rebuild their lives while this crisis continues.