Egyptian weddings now cost upwards of $20,000 pushing marriage out of reach for many

The cost of getting married in Egypt has skyrocketed in recent years with price tags often hitting upwards of $20,000, according to a report in Middle East Monitor (MEM). The eye-popping cost of popping the question is causing many to delay marriage or give up entirely on their dreams of tying the knot.

“I need a million pounds ($20,000) to get married,” Mohamed Rabie, a 30-year-old bachelor told MEM. “Half a million for a modest apartment in a working-class neighborhood and the other half for buying engagement jewelry and furniture and hosting the wedding ceremony. 

For wealthier couples, the costs can be significantly higher.

A study by Egypt’s National Centre for Social and Criminological Research revealed that wedding expenses in Egypt rank among the highest in North Africa and the Middle East.

In Egypt, the groom’s family is expected to pay for wedding expenses including the bride’s dress. They are also expected to offer the bride “shabka”, gold jewelry given to women at their engagement party. The bride’s family also often contributes financially to setting up the couple’s new home. 

Rising housing prices and the cost of home goods are straining family finances, pushing some into debt to support their loved ones’ weddings. In severe cases, failure to repay these debts can even result in imprisonment.

The financial strain is altering marriage trends in Egypt, disproportionately affecting women. According to CAPMAS, Egypt’s official statistics agency, 11 million women over the age of 30 remain unmarried, compared to just 2.5 million men.