Socio-economic and demographic factors affecting school enrollment in Egypt.

Children in Egypt must go to school from age 6 years until age 13. Public education at all levels is free although there are private schools mainly in urban areas in which some children are enrolled. The authors analyzed variations in school enrollment according to certain socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in Egypt using data from the 1992 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey. Primary school enrollment rates increased from 75% in 1970 to 98% in 1990. Female enrollment rates however only increased from 57% in 1970 to 90% in 1990. 1992 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey data indicate that 78% of males and 59% of females in Egypt are literate. 89% and 73% of children are enrolled in urban and rural areas respectively while the levels of school enrollment are higher in urban governorates and urban lower Egypt compared to other regions and among children of educated parents compared to children of noneducated parents.