Religion in Egypt

March 18, 2015 · updated December 18, 2023

Temple Ruins
Ruins of Karnak Temple, Luxor. Michael Tyler
Fast Facts on Egypt
Population 106,437,241 2021
Religions (%) Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican)
Islam 90,420,000 2020
Christianity 4,440,000 2020

Egypt is a majority Islamic country. Most Egyptian Muslims identify with the Sunni tradition, as do most countries of Islamic majority elsewhere in the Middle East and the world.

The presence of Christianity in Egypt dates back to the time of Christ and there are even traditions of some of the original apostles ministering in Egypt (e.g. Mark the Evangelist). The Christian cross may have been adopted by Egyptian Christians from the ancient Egyptian ankh symbol.