The population census and statistical data for the year 1885. (Sources: General Statistics Year 1885 and Population Census Year 1882).

Population Census and Growth Rate.

The last census was conducted in the year 1882, and their total number was 6,731,448. The population of Egypt was counted in the year 1885, and it was found that the population reached 7,405,000, meaning they increased by 673,552 in thirty-eight years.

The population growth rate during the ten years from 1872 to 1882 decreased by 0.99% annually. Thus, Egypt's population in 1882 would have been 6,960,000. The number of people that can be supported by the arable land is based on two assumptions: (a) The growth rate remains constant at its current rate. (b) The growth rate continues to decrease at the same rate it has been decreasing since 1872.

(a) The growth rate remains constant at its current rate. In 1872, the population was 5,200,000, and the growth rate was 2.41%. In 1882, the population was 6,731,000. If this rate remains constant, the population will be as shown in the following table: Year | Population (in millions) ------- | --------1882 | 6.73 1892 | 8.34 1902 | 10.30 1912 | 12.71 1922 | 15.67 (b) The growth rate decreases at the same rate it has been decreasing in the last twenty years. The annual decrease in the growth rate is 0.099%.

If we assume that the growth rate decreases by 0.099% every ten years, the estimated total population in 1892 will be as shown in the following table: Year | Population (in millions) | Percentage Growth Rate | Annual Growth Rate ------- | -------- | -------- | --------1882 | 6.73 | 2.41% | 0.163 1892 | 7.78 | 1.42% | 0.110 1902 | 8.77 | 0.43% | 0.038 1912 | 9.60 | -0.56% | -0.054 1922 | 10.27 | -1.55% | -0.155 Let's say, for example, that in 1902 the population was 8,770,000.

The ratio between the population and the area of cultivated land. From the figures mentioned above, along with the figures previously stated in the first chapter, the following table has been prepared, which shows the area of arable land and the area of cultivated land per capita for the year 1882 and the current year 1902.

Year | Arable Land per Capita | Cultivated Land per Capita ------- | -------- | --------1882 | 0.165 feddans | 0.119 feddans 1902 | 0.151 feddans | 0.108 feddans The following should be noted from this table: (a) The proposed rate of increase in the area is not very large, as it is only enough to support the increase in population, and nothing more. (b) The proportion of food crops will remain constant, while the share of cotton crop per capita may increase.