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The Central Bank of Egypt figures placed the current account deficit at $5.1 billion for the January to March 2026 period, more than double the $2.3 billion recorded in the same quarter of 2025. A larger merchandise trade deficit formed the main factor behind the widening, the central bank data indicated. Oil imports rose to $5.7 billion in the quarter from $4.8 billion a year earlier, according to the statistics.
The Central Bank of Egypt reported that exports increased to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion, yet the trade imbalance still grew. Remittances from Egyptians abroad climbed to $12.8 billion from $9.3 billion in the year-ago period, helping to moderate the deficit. Tourism income advanced to $4.2 billion compared with $3.8 billion previously while Suez Canal revenues gained to $1 billion from $800 million.
Net foreign direct investment inflows declined marginally to $3.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026 from $3.8 billion a year before, a Central Bank of Egypt assessment found. The latest quarter’s performance follows a period of improvement in the balance of payments during the first half of fiscal 2025/2026 when the current account deficit stood at $9.5 billion, according to an April 2026 release from the central bank. That first-half figure reflected gains in transfers and the services balance.
Trading Economics data places Egypt’s current account deficit at 4.2 percent of gross domestic product for the full year 2025. The macroeconomic models from the site forecast the ratio narrowing to 4.0 percent of GDP by the close of 2026. The International Monetary Fund projects a $17.8 billion current account deficit for Egypt in 2026.
The International Monetary Fund raised its real GDP growth projection for fiscal year 2025/2026 to 4.7 percent in its latest update. Consumer price inflation is anticipated to average 13.2 percent in 2026, according to the IMF outlook. Egypt’s population stands at approximately 110 million, providing a large domestic market amid the external challenges, World Bank figures show.
Remittances from Egyptians abroad have consistently supported the country’s external position, the Central Bank of Egypt figures show. The services account benefited from rebounds in tourism arrivals and stable shipping through the Suez Canal, according to the central bank data. The International Monetary Fund has supported Egypt through an Extended Fund Facility arrangement that includes measures to strengthen the external sector.
