Alexandria's 2026 population is now estimated at 5,521,580. In 1996, the population of Alexandria was 3,297,959. Alexandria has grown by 53,539 in the last year, which represents a 0.98% annual change. These population values and projections come from Egypt cities and towns population series 1996-2023 via CityPopulation official attribution and World Population Review Internal Projections .
Alexandria is a city located in Egypt. It is the second largest by population in the country, and it is also one of the country’s most significant economic centers. At last count, the population was nearing 5.17 million by November of 2017; previously exceeding 4.9 million at the end of 2016.
Alexandria comes in with a population density of 4,800 people per square mile. The area that Alexandria covers comes to approximately 2,679 square kilometers in total.
The primary religions practiced in the city of Alexandria are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Most residents are Sunni Muslims. The city has seen significant population growth throughout its history, primarily attributed to high birth rates and migration from rural areas.
The majority of the residents speak Arabic. Most people that live in Alexandria are native Egyptians, although there are also residents originally from Germany, Italy and other European countries.
The climate is considered temperate with average lows ranging close to 45 degrees F and summer temperatures reaching toward 90 degrees F thanks to the proximity of the sea and associated humidity.
It is believed that Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in 331 BC. During ancient times, it was an important cultural and intellectual center. Since its establishment, religion has always been important within the city, from being the center of Hellenism to later becoming home to the largest community of Jewish people in the world. It also, for a number of years, served as the capital of Egypt.
In its earliest history, several battles were fought in the area, and Alexandria went under the control of different rulers. In 1517, the city was overtaken by the Ottoman Turks and was under their rule until nearly the 1800s.
The city played a significant role during Napoleon’s expedition in the late 1700s. The French took it before being taken by the British just a few years later. In the early 1800s, the city was rebuilt and redeveloped, restoring it to its former glory.
In the years that followed, the city was occupied by British Naval forces, and in the 1950s, Europeans began leaving the city following the Suez Crisis.
Today, Alexandria is the site of many ancient and historical landmarks. It is also home to many religious buildings, as well as higher education colleges and universities. The city has two airports, many highways, an intracity commuter rail, four ports, a variety of museums, and is also a popular tourist destination.
The city of Alexandria has seen significant growth throughout the years, due to its essential role as an economic center of Egypt. The city has also become known as one that has a laid-back culture, making it appealing to immigrants. Because of the city’s culture, history and commerce, the population is expected to continue to grow, with the next milestone of 5 million residents just over the horizon.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 10,119,520 | 1.07% |
| Alexandria | 5,521,580 | 0.98% |
| Giza | 4,612,174 | 1.14% |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 3,071,216 | 24.48% |
| Shubra el-Kheima | 1,331,568 | 1.44% |
| Port Said | 811,334 | 0.82% |
| Suez | 702,196 | -0.67% |
| El Mansoura | 672,762 | 2.09% |
| Mahalla el-Kubra | 661,132 | 2.48% |
| Tanta | 643,360 | 2.48% |
| Asyut | 617,488 | 3.18% |
| Fayoum | 559,102 | 1.68% |
| Al-Khusus | 524,886 | 1.44% |
| Zagazig | 503,491 | 3.02% |
| Ismaïlia | 485,481 | 2.53% |
| Aswan | 446,302 | 3.56% |
| 6th October City | 389,287 | 1.14% |
| Damanhour | 364,676 | 3.43% |
| New Cairo | 329,857 | 1.07% |
| Al-Minya | 327,611 | 3.21% |
