Department

Public Policy Hub

Description or Abstract

Egypt is located at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, with over 9 million migrants, including around 1.5 million migrants living in vulnerable situations (IOM, 2022) and around 992,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers from 133 countries (UNHCR, 2025a) according to the latest available data. Public and policy discussions, however, remain shaped by the widespread stereotypes and confusion in distinguishing between migrants and refugees. This can promote exclusion, disinformation, and social tension. Misconceptions can hinder integration, limit access to services, and erode social cohesion in a country navigating economic constraints and adapting to ongoing demographic changes.

This policy paper unpacks how these stereotypes are framed in Egypt through indepth interviews with practitioners of migration, experts, and policymakers, as well as a roundtable discussion attended by a myriad of stakeholders. The research synthesizes qualitative information and research literature to articulate the root explanations of migrant stereotyping: economic scapegoating, cultural and racial biases, political rhetoric, and media narrative. Of special interest, this policy paper reflects on the term “guests”, which is often used in both official and press discourse, blurs the line between migrants and refugees, and suppresses critical distinctions in law, prospects, and contributions.

The relevance of this topic cannot be overstated. Egypt’s stability, economic development, and international standing are closely tied to its ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion and effectively manage diversity. As migration dynamics evolve and demographic shifts continue, fostering inclusion and social resilience remains a key policy priority. Enhancing public awareness, expanding youth engagement, and supporting civil society initiatives can further contribute to building a more cohesive and adaptive society.

Building on the identified challenges and opportunities related to social cohesion and diversity, this paper seeks to address how narratives surrounding migration influence Egypt’s social fabric and policy environment. It aims to identify dominant narratives about migrants in Egypt, assess their implications for social cohesion, and explore how migrant-related perceptions shape the broader migration discourse. To achieve these objectives, this paper used a triangulated qualitative approach through conducting semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders, hosting a roundtable of 25 representatives and experts to validate findings and co-develop policy solutions, and conducting an analysis of Egyptian and international literature, media reporting, and policy documents to contextualize findings and verify them.

Keywords

community, social, cohesion, migrants, migration, refugees, misconception, Policy

Faculty Advisor

Hamed Shamma

Content Type

Other

Extent

52

Language

eng

Publisher

The Public Policy Hub, GAPP School

Publisher Location

The American University in Cairo

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