Egyptian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Egypt lies in the north-east corner of Africa, along the River Nile, and is home to the pyramids, the ancient temples of Luxor and the bustling city of Cairo. Arabic is the main language, and Egyptians include Muslims and Coptic Christians. Many Egyptian doctors have come to Britain to train and work.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 7,948 people living in the city had been born in North Africa, a group that includes Egypt.

Working for Birmingham

Egyptian doctors, surgeons and pharmacists are well represented in Birmingham's hospitals and GP surgeries, and Egyptian engineers, academics and business owners contribute across the city. Egyptian students study at its universities, and Egyptian families run shops and restaurants.

Healthcare, education and the skilled trades are three of the pillars of the city's economy. The NHS is one of Birmingham's biggest employers, its universities teach tens of thousands of students, and there is steady demand for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, decorators and handymen in every neighbourhood, alongside business, transport, hospitality, retail and the city's growing digital and creative industries. People from every background keep these sectors running, and the Egyptian community shares in that effort.

Culture and community life

Eid, Ramadan and Coptic Christmas on 7 January are important occasions for Egyptian families. Koshari, a hearty dish of rice, lentils and pasta, and ful medames are much loved, and Egyptian music and cinema are famous across the Arab world. Sham el-Nessim, the spring festival, is shared by all Egyptians.

In a city where scores of languages are spoken, the Egyptian community adds another voice to the conversation. Its members, old and new, are helping to make Birmingham the confident, outward-looking city it wants to be.