Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics

Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS; Arabic: الجهاز المركزي للتعبئة العامة والإحصاء) is the official statistical agency of Egypt that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates statistical data and conducts the census. CAPMAS was established by a Presidential Decree 2915 in 1964 and is the official provider of data, statistics, and reports.

Arab Republic of Egypt
Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics

الجهاز المركزى للتعبئة العامة والإحصاء
Emblem of Egypt
Agency overview
Jurisdiction	Government of Egypt
Headquarters	Cairo
Agency executive	Khirat Mohamed Barakat, Chairman
Website	www.capmas.gov.eg

CAPMAS functions support state planning, decision-making and policy assessment but it has been criticized for acting as an information regulator and for failing to provide access to researchers. Researchers must obtain a permit from CAPMAS prior to doing research in the country.

History

A Freedom of Information Act was being considered in 2013 by the Parliament of Egypt, to help ensure high level of transparency and disclosure in line with international best practices but some doubted it would pass and as of 2016, there is no such law for Egypt.

The agency participated in World Statistics Day (in October 2015), with activities honoring senior statisticians, holding workshops, and with the launching of their new website.

Population growth

One of the more important findings, by the agency, has been the type of population growth occurring in Egypt. Since 2014, Major General Abu Bakr al-Gendy, the head of CAPMAS, said that Egypt's population has been growing, for decades, at an unsustainable rate. He said the population grows at an alarming 1 million Egyptians every six months and called this type of growth "a virus" that must be addressed.

See also

• Census in Egypt
• List of national and international statistical services

References

1. "Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics of Egypt". knoema - World Data Atlas. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
2. Plackett, Benjamin (November 14, 2016). "Social Scientists Work Amid Rising Suspicion". al-fanarmedia. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
3. El-Din, Mai Shams (August 1, 2013). "Egypt's information system is dysfunctional and politicized, say experts". Egypt Independent. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
4. El Masry, Sarah (June 26, 2013). "Egypt's right to information law". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
5. "World Statistics Day, 10/20/2015". World Statistics Day. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
6. Wagih, Ahmed (23 April 2014). "Population Growth in Egypt: More People, More Problems?". The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
7. "Statement by CAPMAS Head in 2014". Youtube. Retrieved 24 November 2016.^{[dead YouTube link]}
8. "Egypt's overpopulation is a dangerous 'virus' that must be stopped: CAPMAS head". Egypt Independent. September 26, 2016. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.

External links

• Official website